Page 120 of 196
Roadside emergencies
120
Replacing a tire
1. Push the spare tire onto the
wheel studs.
2.Screw on the wheel nuts,
ensuring the tapered end of the
wheel nuts are facing the wheel,
and secure in a clockwise direction.
3. Lower the vehicle and remove
the jack by turning the handle
counterclockwise.
4. Fully tighten the wheel nuts in a
crosswise pattern.
5. Align the hub cap with the valve
and push firmly into position with
the ball of the hand.
6. Stow the jack and damaged tire
in the luggage compartment by
reversing the spare tire removal
instructions.
3
42 1
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Page 124 of 196
Roadside emergencies
124If towing is necessary, it is
recommended that your vehicle be
towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with
slingbelt equipment. Ford Motor
Company has not developed or
approved a T-hook or slingbelt
towing procedure.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
Before you have your vehicle
towed:
•release the parking brake,
•move the gearshift to N
(Neutral),
•turn the ignition to the off
position and
•unlock the steering wheel.
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed
faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) or
for a distance greater than 80 km
(55 miles) unless the drive wheels
are placed on dollies. WRECKER TOWING
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:55 PM Page 124
Page 127 of 196
Maintenance and care
127 Working with engine off
(automatic transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with engine off
(manual transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in 1 (first) or R (Reverse).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
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Page 128 of 196
Maintenance and care
128Working with engine on
(automatic transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with
the air cleaner removed and
do not remove it while the engine is
running.
Working with engine on
(manual transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in neutral.
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:55 PM Page 128
Page 129 of 196
Maintenance and care
129 Opening the hood
•Pull the handle (1) located under
the instrument panel.
MIRRORS
000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
100
110
120
130MPH20 406055
80120 100
140
160
180
200EF 1
/
2UNLEADED FUEL ONLY12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
NORMALBRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
1
Off
ResSet
AccCoast
On
•Release the safety catch by
reaching under the hood (2)
(adjacent to the Mercury
emblem) and pushing it up.
2
3
•Raise the hood and support it
with the strut (3) in the yellow
colored retainer, ensuring it is
secure. Hold the support at the
yellow colored insulation section.
To close, replace the support strut
in its retaining clip, lower the hood
and allow it to drop into the catch
for the last 20 – 30 cm
(8 – 12 inches).
Always check to ensure that the
hood lock is fully engaged.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:55 PM Page 129
Page 146 of 196

Maintenance and care
146Relearning the idle function
Because your vehicle’s engine is
electronically controlled, some
control conditions are maintained
by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a
new battery is installed, the
computer must “relearn” its idle
conditions before your vehicle can
drive properly. To begin this
process:
1. Put the automatic transaxle
gearshift in P (Park). Put the
manual transaxle gearshift in
neutral.
2. Turn off all accessories and start
the vehicle.
3. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
4. The “relearning” process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
•If you do not allow the engine to
“relearn” its idle, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is
eventually “relearned”.
•If the battery has been
disconnected or if a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
preset radio stations must be
reset once the battery is
reconnected.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 146
Page 169 of 196
Maintenance and care
169 Front turn signal/side lamps
Pull the socket out. Pull the bulb
out and replace it.
Foglamps (if equipped)
1. Detach the cover (access at
bottom of front bumper).
2. Turn the bulb counterclockwise
and pull it out of the light assembly.
3. Remove the electrical connector.
4. Fit the new bulb in reverse order
(do not touch the glass part of the
bulb).
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Page 170 of 196
Maintenance and care
170
License plate lamp
Unscrew the bulb holder with a
screwdriver. Remove the bulb from
the clip holder.
Replace the new bulb in reverse
sequence. Brake/turn signal/tail lamps
1. Disconnect the electrical
conector.
2. Turn the socket
counterclockwise and pull it out.
3. Turn the bulb counterclockwise
and pull it out.
4. To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse order.
Backup lamps
The backup lamps are located in
the trunk lid. Replacement
instructions are the same as for the
brake/turn signal/tail lamps.
CDW VA1-19Maint en MM 5/15/97 7:56 PM Page 170