1999 Mercury Mystique check engine light

Maintenance and care
191
Observe the following guidelines
when handling automotive fuel:
¥ Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before fueling
your vehicle.
¥ Always turn off the vehicle
before fueling.
¥ Make sure the fuel cap is
correctly fitted after fueling.
Failure to do so may cause the on
board diagnostic system to
illuminate the CHECK ENGINE
light.
¥ Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no symptoms
are immediately apparent. The
toxic effects of fuel may not be
visible for hours.
¥ Fuels can also be harmful if
absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin, promptly
remove contaminated clothing and
wash skin thoroughly with soap
and water.
¥ If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn),
flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention.
¥ Be particularly careful if you are
taking ÒAntabuseÓ or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of
alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors or skin contact could cause
an adverse reaction. Consult a
physician immediately.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 191

Maintenance and care
197
Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
engine overheating, illumination of
the
charging systemwarning light
or the
check enginewarning light.
These events could indicate that
the emission control system is not
working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in
entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
Alternative design
Alternative design
Do not park, idle or drive
your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 197

Maintenance and care
198
Do not make any unauthorized
changes to your vehicle or engine.
By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades
vehicles, or supervises a fleet of
vehicles are not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from
working. Information about your
vehicle's emission system is on the
Vehicle Emission Control
Information Decal located under
the hood. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives
some tune up specifications.
Please consult your ÒWarranty
GuideÒ for complete emission
warranty information.
Readiness for
inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal
requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your
check enginelight
is on, refer to the description in the
Instrument Cluster Lights and
Chimes
section of the
Instrumentation chapter. Your
vehicle may not pass the I/M test
with the
check engine light on.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 198

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

Index
239
HPage
High-mount brakelamp . . . . . . .204
Hood
latch location . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Idle, relearning . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Idle, speed . . . . . . . . . . . . .179, 220
Ignition
chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
positions on the ignition . . . . . .52
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Instrument panel
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
lighting up the panel . . . . . . . . .23
Integrated child seat (see Built-in
child seat)
Intermittent wipers . . . . . . . . . . .56
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
J
Jack
positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Jump starting your vehicle
attaching cables . . . . . . . . . . . .151
disconnecting cables . . . . . . . .154
K
Keys
key in ignition warning chime .17
positions of the ignition . . . . . .52
LPage
Lamps
bulb replacement specification
chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
daytime running light system . .21
flashing the lamps . . . . . . . . . . .55
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21, 202
hazard flashers . . . . . . . . .54, 137
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
high beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .204
instrument panel, dimming . . .23
interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
reading lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
replacing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . .200
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
anti-lock brakes (ABS) . . . . . . .15
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
charging system . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
check engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
engine oil pressure . . . . . . . . . .16
high beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
low coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
low fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
overdrive off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
testing the warning lights . . . . .17
turn signal indicator . . . . . . . . . .6
Load limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . .64
4MInden 04/14/1999 9:51 AM Page 239

Index
242
TPage
Tires
changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
checking tire pressure . . . . . .185
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
inspection and maintenance . .185
replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
snow tires and chains . . . . . . .188
spare tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
tire grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . .183, 186
wearbands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . .156
Traction control . . . . . . . . . .22, 115
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Transaxle
automatic, operation . . . . . . . .117
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
lubricant specifications . . . . . .219
manual, operation . . . . . . . . . .123
Transmitter (see Remote entry)
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Trunk (see Luggage compartment)
remote release lever . . . . . . . . .64
using the remote entry system .66
Turn signal
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
U
Used engine oil, disposal . . . . . .167
VPage
Variable interval wipers . . . . . . . .56
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Vehicle Emission Control
Information(VECI) . . . . . . . . . .198
Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Ventilating your vehicle . . . . . .105
Viscosity (see Engne oil)
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
key in ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Warning lights (see Lights)
Washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . .163
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR) .127
Wheels
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
inspection and maintenance . .185
Windows
one-touch down . . . . . . . . . . . .62
power windows, operating . . . .62
rear, defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid . . . .168
checking and replacing
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
variable interval wipers . . . . . . .56
Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
4MInden 04/14/1999 9:51 AM Page 242