1999 Mercury Mystique ESP

Maintenance and care
171
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your
communityÕs standards for
recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved
processes. Not all coolant recycling
processes produce coolant which
meets Ford specifications ESE-
M97B44-A, and use of such coolant
may harm engine and cooling
system components.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 171

Maintenance and care
178
Batteries normally produce
explosive gases which can
cause personal injury. Do not allow
flames, sparks or lit tobacco to
come near the battery. Always
cover your face and protect your
eyes and also provide ventilation.
Applying too much pressure
on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill.
Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite
corners.
Follow these steps to
minimize risk of personal
injury.
Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible
manner. Follow your communityÕs
local standards for disposal. Call
your local recycling center to find
out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 178

Maintenance and care
184
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing
the tireÕs resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required
by law.
The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 184

Maintenance and care
196
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with
various emission control
components and a catalytic
converter which will enable your
vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To
make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission
control components continue to
work properly:
¥ Use unleaded fuel only.
¥ Avoid running out of fuel.
¥ Do not turn off the ignition while
your vehicle is moving, especially
at high speeds.
¥ Have the items listed in your
maintenance guide and or service
guide performed according to the
specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance
services listed in the maintenance
guide and or service guide are
required because they are
considered essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to
its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft, or
Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting
emissions control, such non-Ford
parts should be equivalent to
genuine Ford Motor Company parts
in performance and durability.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 196

Maintenance and care
211
Waxing your vehicle
The best way to determine when
the paintwork needs waxing is by
noting when water stops beading
on the surface. This could be every
three or four months depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-
based waxes. Remove any bugs and
tar before waxing the vehicle. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a
clean cloth to remove bugs. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
During winter months, it is
especially important to wash the
vehicle on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove, and they also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove or lower any exterior
accessories, such as antennas,
before entering a car wash.
Remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect remains,
tar spots, road salt and industrial
fallout immediately.
After washing, apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:18 PM Page 211

Customer assistance
224
Ford extended service plan
You can get more protection for
your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford
ESP is an optional service contract
which is backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford Motor Service
Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of
Canada (in Canada). It provides:
• Protection against repair costs
after your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period expires
and
• other benefits during the
warranty period (such as
reimbursement for rentals and
towing).
You may purchase Ford ESP from
any participating Ford or Lincoln-
Mercury or Ford of Canada dealer.
There are several plans available in
various time, distance and
deductible combinations which can
be tailored to fit your own driving
needs. Ford ESP also offers
reimbursement benefits for towing
and rental coverage. (In Hawaii,
rules vary. See your dealer for
details.)
When you buy Ford ESP you
receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and
Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,200 participating Ford,
Lincoln-Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.If you did not take advantage of the
Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle,
you may still be eligible. Please
contact your dealer for further
information. Since this information
is subject to change, please ask
your dealer for complete details
about Ford Extended Service Plan
coverage options.
Also, please be aware that some
ealers offer service contracts that
are not backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford of Canada. On
the surface, many independent
plans appear to be like Ford's. The
problem is that they can often
require the use of non-factory
approved parts and have much
more complex and restrictive
claims coverage terms than Ford.
At Ford Motor Company and Ford
of Canada, we are dedicated to
providing Ford, Lincoln and
Mercury vehicle owners with
programs that will enhance your
ownership experience and protect
you from unexpected repair bills.
Genuine Ford ESP is the only
Extended Service Plan that enables
us to provide that service.
33MMCAen 04/14/1999 9:49 AM Page 224

Customer assistance
229
After a case is reviewed, the Board
mails you a decision letter and a
form on which to accept or reject
the Board's decision. The decisions
of the Board are binding on Ford
(and, in some cases, on the dealer)
but not on consumers who are free
to pursue other remedies available
to them under state or federal law.
To request a DSB
brochure/application
For a brochure/application, speak
to your dealer or write/call to the
Board at the following
address/phone number:
Dispute Settlement Board
P.O. Box 5120
Southfield, MI 48086-5120
1-800-428-3718
You may also contact the North
American Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-392-3673 (Ford).
TDD for the hearing impaired:
1-800-232-5952 or by writing to the
Center at the following address:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Assistance Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121GETTING ASSISTANCE
OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND
CANADA
Before exporting your vehicle to a
foreign country, contact the
appropriate foreign embassy or
consulate. These officials can
inform you of local vehicle
registration regulations and where
to find unleaded fuel.
If you cannot find unleaded fuel or
can only get fuel with an anti-knock
index lower than is recommended
for your vehicle, contact a district
or owner relations/customer
assistance office.
The use of leaded fuel in your
vehicle without proper conversion
may damage the effectiveness of
your emission control system and
may cause engine knocking or
serious engine damage. Ford Motor
Company/Ford of Canada is not
responsible for any damage caused
by use of improper fuel.
In the United States, using leaded
fuel may also result in difficulty
importing your vehicle back into
the U.S.
33MMCAen 04/14/1999 9:49 AM Page 229

Customer assistance
233
For maximum vehicle performance,
keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or
equipment to your vehicle:
• When adding accessories,
equipment, passengers and luggage
to your vehicle, do not exceed the
total weight capacity of the vehicle
or of the front or rear axle (GVWR
or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label).
Consult your dealer for specific
weight information.
• The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and Canadian
Radio Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) regulate the
use of mobile communications
systems - such as two-way radios,
telephones and theft alarms - that
are equipped with radio
transmitters. Any such equipment
installed in your vehicle should
comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed
only by a qualified service
technician.• Mobile communications systems
may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not
properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed.
When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or
stall. In addition, such systems may
be damaged or their performance
may be affected by operating your
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB]
transceivers, garage door openers
and other transmitters with
outputs of five watts or less will not
ordinarily affect your vehicle's
operation.)
• Ford cannot assume
responsibility for any adverse
effects or damage that may result
from the use of such equipment.
33MMCAen 04/14/1999 9:49 AM Page 233