1999 Mercury Mystique engine coolant

Maintenance and care
170
When adding engine coolant
Ford recommends Ford Premium
Cooling System Fluid, which is an
optimized formula that will protect
all metals and rubber elastomers
used in Ford engines for four years
or 80 000 km (50 000 miles).
It is neither necessary nor
recommended to use supplemental
coolant additives in your gasoline-
powered vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine coolant
system.
When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
engine coolant concentration
between 40% (-24¡C [-11¡F]) and
60% (-52¡C [-62¡F]), depending on
your local climate conditions.
A coolant concentration below 40%
will result in a loss of freeze
protection. A concentration above
60% may cause the engine to
overheat on a warm day.
Refer to
Lubricant specifications
in theCapacities and
specifications
chapter. Use only a
premium nationally-recognized
brand name engine coolant or
equivalent.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 170

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
172
MAX
MIN
Adding engine coolant
1. Before removing the engine
coolant recovery cap, turn the
engine off and allow it to cool.
2. When the engine is cool, turn
and remove the cap.
¥ Step back for a moment while
the pressure in the reservoir is
released.
¥ Stand away from the reservoir
opening. Hot steam or coolant
spray may be released.
3. Add engine coolant until the
fluid level in the reservoir is
between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.
Follow the recommended service
interval for changing engine
coolant as outlined in the
maintenance guide and or service
guide. Refer to
Capacities and
specifications
for more
information on engine coolant
specifications.
Have your dealer or a qualified
service technician check the engine
coolant system for leaks if you have
to add more than a litre (quart) of
engine coolant per month.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 172

Maintenance and care
173
Checking and adding power
steering fluid
Switch off the engine. With the
steering system at normal
operating temperature, the fluid
level should come up to the MAX
mark.
If the fluid level drops below the
MIN mark, add the specified fluid.
Refer to the
Capacities and
specifications
chapter.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold
climates (less than -36¡C [-34¡F]),
it may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant
container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is
such that the coolant will not
freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during the winter
months. Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above 60%.
Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle
year-round in non-extreme
climates.
MAX
MIN
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 173

Capacities and specifications
219
Lubricant Specifications
ItemFord part name
or equivalent
High performance
DOT 3 brake fluid,
DOT 4 brake fluid
or Super DOT 4
Premium engine
coolant
Motorcraft motor
oil 5W-30 super
premium
MERCON¨
power steering
fluid
Motorcraft
MERCON¨ATF*
Ultra-clear
windshield washer
concentrate
Ford
part number
C6AZ-19542-AB
for DOT 3
E2FZ-19549-AA
CXC-8-B
XO-5W30-QSP
E6AZ-19582 AA
XT-2-QDX
C9AZ-19550-AC
or
C9AZ-19550-BC
Ford
specification
ESA-M6C25-A
(DOT 3)
ESD-M6C57-A
(Super DOT 4)
ESE-M97B44-A
American Petroleum
Institute Certification
Mark and
WSS-M2C153-G
ESW-M2C33-F
MERCON¨
ESR-M17P5-A
Brake fluid
Engine coolant
Engine oil
Power steering
fluid
Transaxle fluid
automatic/
5-speed manual
Windshield
washer
fluid
* Use only MERCON¨
approved transmission/transaxle fluid. Use of any fluid approved and/or labeled
for MERCON¨
V may cause internal transaxle damage.
32MCSen 4/13/99 2:21 PM Page 219

Index
236
APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .165
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .84
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . .13, 87
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .83
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .67
Antenna, radio
(see Audio sytem) . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .112
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System) . . . . . . . . . . .69
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . .119, 125
Battery
charging system warning light . .7
jumping a disabled battery . . .150
proper disposal, recycling . . . .178
replacement, specifications . .217
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
BPage
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .168
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . .118
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) 112
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . .14
fluid, checking and adding . . .168
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . . .98
inspection after a collision . . . .98
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .94
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .204
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .203
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . .31, 180
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .218
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .197
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .196
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Charging system warning light . . .7
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237
Index
CPage
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .93
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . .99
children and safety belts . . .89, 91
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
attaching with tether straps . .102
automatic locking mode . . . . . .77
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .63
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .213
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .215
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .214
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .24
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
recommended shift speeds . . .124
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . .110
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .18
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Customer assistance . . . . . . . . .223DPage
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .21
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .235
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .163
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .62
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .130
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .196
Engine
check engine warning light . . . .10
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . .107
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . .111
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .167
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
low coolant warning light . . . . . .9
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
4MInden 04/14/1999 9:51 AM Page 237

Index
238
EPage
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .165
checking and adding . . . . . . . .165
dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .217
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .218
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . .106, 197
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .54, 137
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .218
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21, 202
Fuel
calculating fuel economy . . . .195
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
choosing the right fuel . . . . . .192
consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
low fuel warning light . . . . . . . .13
octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
running out of fuel . . . . . . . . .196
safety information relating
to automotive fuels . . . . . . . . .190
Fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .137
Fuse panels
engine compartment . . . . . . . .140
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .142
FPage
Fuses
charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141, 144
checking and replacing . . . . . .139
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel)
Gauges
engine coolant temperature . . .18
fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) . . .127
Gearshift . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117, 123
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .127
H
Hazard flashers . . . . . . . . . .54, 137
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Headlamps
aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
bulb specifications . . . . . . . . .206
daytime running light . . . . . . . .21
flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .200
turning on and off . . . . . . . . . . .20
warning chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
High beams
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
4MInden 04/14/1999 9:51 AM Page 238