Page 84 of 244
84
When installing forward-
facing child seats in the
front seat always move the
passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible.
Never install rear-facing child
seats or rear-facing infant seats in
the front seat.
Children and air bags
For additional important safety
information, read all information on
safety restraints in this guide.
Children should always wear safety
belts. Failure to follow these
instructions may increase the risk
of injury in a collision.
Do not attempt to service,
repair, or modify the air bag
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) or its fuses. See your Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
to co tact t a at g a
bag.
Page 100 of 244
100
1. Position the child safety seat in a
seat with a combination lap and
shoulder belt.
2. Pull down on the shoulder belt
and then grasp the shoulder belt
and lap belt together.
3. While holding the shoulder and
lap belt portions together, route
the tongue through the child seat
according to the child seat
manufacturerÕs instructions. Be
sure the belt webbing is not
twisted.
When using forward-facing
child seats move the
passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible.
Never secure rear-facing infant
seats in the front seat.
Page 115 of 244

Driving
115
TRACTION CONTROL
(if equipped)
This system prevents wheel spin at
all speeds. The control will toggle
this function on and off, but the
feature defaults to on after each
cycle of the ignition key.
The traction control system
controls excessive wheel spin by
automatically applying and
releasing the brakes in conjunction
with engine torque reductions.
This can occur when accelerating
on a slippery road, a loose surface
or when pulling away on a hill. The
traction control lamp flashes on the
instrument panel when the system
is functioning to regulate tire
traction.
When the ignition is turned to the
on position, the traction control
system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds. If
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to the on
position or if it remains on when
the traction control system is
turned on, have the system
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician. You
can continue to drive and do not
need to have the vehicle towed in.
You should not take unnecessary
driving risks because of the
systemÕs safety potential.
22MDren 4/13/99 3:40 PM Page 115
Page 120 of 244
Driving
120
¥D (Overdrive)
Note that the vehicleÕs gearshift is
console-mounted on the floor. The
transaxle control switch (TCS) is
located on the gearshift handle.
The transaxle control indicator
light (O/D light) is located on the
instrument panel.
Overdrive is not shown on the
display, but is the default mode for
the D gearshift position. This is the
normal driving mode for the best
fuel economy. The transaxle
operates in gears one through four.
The O/D light is off (not
illuminated) during normal vehicle
operation.
Overdrive can be deactivated by
pressing the transaxle control
switch (TCS) located on the
gearshift handle. The O/D OFF
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster.
¥N(Neutral)
The wheels of the transaxle are not
locked. Your vehicle will roll freely,
even on the slightest incline, unless
the parking brake or brakes are on.
22MDren 4/13/99 3:40 PM Page 120
Page 139 of 244

Roadside emergencies
139
Even after a fuse is replaced, it will
continue to blow if the cause of the
overload is not identified and
corrected. If the fuse continues to
blow, have the vehicleÕs electrical
system checked by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
To reset a circuit breaker press the
reset button.
The passenger compartment fuse
panel is located on the driverÕs side
under the instrument panel. The
power distribution box is located
on the driverÕs side of the engine
compartment.
They contain the main fuses and
the main relays. The circuits
protected are identified by
numbers on the passenger
compartment fuse panel and inside
the cover on the power distribution
box.
FUSES AND RELAYS
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire. Check
the appropriate fuses before
replacing any electrical
components.
Always replace a fuse with
one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse with
higher amperage rating can cause
severe wire damage and could
start a fire.
23MREen 4/13/99 3:42 PM Page 139
Page 143 of 244
Roadside emergencies
143
A blown fuse can be identified by a
break in the wire.
All fuses are a push fit.
Five reserve fuses with different
current ratings are attached to the
inside cover of the power
distribution box in case of
emergency fuse replacement.
19 20 21R16 R15
R14 R12R13
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38
D2
Passenger compartment fuse panel (below instrument panel)
RelayCircuit switched
R 12
R 13
R 14
R 15
R 16
D 2Interior lighting
Rear window defrost
Heater blower motor
Wiper motor
Ignition
Reverse voltage protection
23MREen 4/13/99 3:42 PM Page 143
Page 144 of 244
Roadside emergencies
144
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38Ñ
C10
40
7.5
15
15
20
7.5
15
30
30
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.5
Ñ
30
ÑNot used
Wiper motors (circuit breaker)
Power windows
ABS module
Backup lamps
Brake lamps
Door locks
Main light
Cigar lighter
Electric seats
Rear window defrost
Engine management system
Instrument panel illumination
Radio
Parking lamps - driverÕs side
Interior lighting/electric mirror
adjustment
Parking lamps - passengerÕs side
Not used
Heater blower motor
Not used
Passenger compartment fuse panel (below instrument panel)
FuseAmpere
ratingCircuits protected
23MREen 4/13/99 3:42 PM Page 144
Page 162 of 244
Maintenance and care
162
Opening the hood
¥ Pull the handle (1) located
under the instrument panel.000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
10 0
110
120
13 0MPH20 406055
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
200EF12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
MIRRORS
1
TRACTION
TROLCH
¥ Release the safety catch by
reaching under the hood (2)
(adjacent to the Mercury emblem)
and pushing it to the left.
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 Ð 30 cm
(8 Ð 12 inches).
Always check to ensure that the
hood lock is fully engaged.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 162