1999 Mercury Mystique Owner's Manuals

Starting
105
IMPORTANT VENTILATION
INFORMATION
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (1 inch).
OFF PLN/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEFFLR
DEF

MAX
A/C
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning to bring in fresh air.
Do not start your vehicle in a
closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the
engine. See
Guarding against
exhaust fumes
in this chapter for
more instructions.
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Starting
106
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves, and other debris.
Guarding against exhaust
fumes
Although odorless and colorless,
carbon monoxide is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions to
avoid its dangerous effects.
Have the exhaust and body
ventilation system checked
whenever:
¥ the vehicle is raised for service.
¥ the sound of the exhaust system
changes.
¥ the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision.
If you ever smell exhaust
fumes of any kind inside
your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes. These fumes
are harmful and could kill you.
21MSten 4/13/99 2:23 PM Page 106

Starting
107
PREPARING TO START THE
VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected
engine, avoid pressing the
accelerator pedal before or during
starting. Only use the accelerator
pedal when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more
information on starting the vehicle,
refer to
Starting the enginein this
chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
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Starting
108
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transaxle:
¥ Make sure the parking brake is
set.
¥ Push the clutch pedal to the
floor. Otherwise, the engine will not
crank (turn over).
¥ Put the gearshift into neutral.
If starting a vehicle with an
automatic transaxle:
¥ Make sure the parking brake is
set.
¥ Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
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Starting
109
3. Turn the key to the on position
(without turning the key to start).
Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
¥ If the driverÕs safety belt is
fastened the safety belt warning
light does not illuminate.
BRAKE
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
Alternative design
Alternative design
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
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Starting
110
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to the start
position (4) without pressing the
accelerator pedal and release as
soon as the engine starts. The key
will return to the on (3) position.3
4
21
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below -12¡C (10¡F), depress the
accelerator pedal and start the
engine while holding the
accelerator pedal down. Release
the accelerator pedal when the
engine starts.
Vehicles equipped with the 2.0 l
engine: If the engine fails to start,
continue to crank with the
accelerator depressed about 1/4 of
the way down and hold that
position until the engine starts.
DO NOT crank for more than
30 seconds
or you could damage
the starter.
4. After idling the engine for a few
seconds, apply the brake pedal and
release the parking brake.
21MSten 4/13/99 2:23 PM Page 110

Starting
111
USING THE ENGINE BLOCK
HEATER (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the heater-
defroster system to respond
quickly. It is strongly recommended
if you live in a region where
temperatures reach Ð23¡C (Ð10¡F)
or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
more than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock,
do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
21MSten 4/13/99 2:23 PM Page 111

Driving
112
BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the ÒScheduled
Maintenance GuideÓ for
maintenance intervals.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
(if equipped)
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock-up during
brake applications and
compensating for this tendency.
The wheels are prevented from
locking even when the brakes are
firmly applied, helping to ensure
that the vehicle can be steered and
the driver can avoid obstacles.
Operation of the anti-lock
braking system
The anti-lock braking system is not
employed during normal braking. It
becomes operational only when it
senses differences in the rotational
speed of the road wheels,
indicating that they are about to
lock-up. Its operation is indicated
by a pulsing of the brake pedal. Do
not release the pedal while braking.
22MDren 4/13/99 3:40 PM Page 112