1999 Mercury Mystique tow

Roadside emergencies
156
If towing is necessary, it is
recommended that your vehicle be
towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with
slingbelt equipment. Ford Motor
Company has not developed or
approved a T-hook or slingbelt
towing procedure.
WRECKER TOWING
23MREen 4/13/99 3:42 PM Page 156

Roadside emergencies
157
Never use a tow bar that
attaches to the bumper
when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and
cause an accident.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
Before you have your vehicle
towed:
¥ release the parking brake,
¥ move the gearshift to N
(Neutral),
¥ turn the ignition to the off
position and
¥ unlock the steering wheel.
Automatic transaxle
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed
faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) or
for a distance greater than 80 km
(50 miles) unless the drive wheels
are placed on dollies.
Manual transaxle
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed
faster than 90 km/h (55 mph). Your
maximum towing distance is
unlimited.
23MREen 4/13/99 3:42 PM Page 157

Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use a vinyl cleaner for routine
cleaning of plastic. Clean with a tar
remover if necessary. Do not clean
plastic parts with thinners, solvents
or petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash the exterior lamps with the
same detergent you use to wash
the exterior of your vehicle. Use
glass cleaner or tar remover if
necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do
not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners to
clean the lamps.
Cleaning the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe
properly, clean both the windshield
and wiper blades using undiluted
windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with
clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene,
paint thinner or other solvents.
Maintenance and care
214
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:18 PM Page 214

Customer assistance
223
GETTING ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have
a vehicle concern. Ford offers a
complimentary roadside assistance
program. This program is separate
from the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. The service is available:
• 24-hours, seven days a week
• for the Basic warranty period
(Canada) or New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period (U.S.) of three
years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles),
whichever comes first on Ford and
Mercury vehicles, and four years or
80,000 km (50,000 miles) on
Lincoln vehicles.
In the United States, you may
purchase additional roadside
assistance coverage beyond this
period through the Ford Auto Club
by contacting your Ford or Lincoln-
Mercury dealer.
• Roadside assistance will cover
• changing a flat tire
• jump-starts
• lock-out assistance
• fuel delivery
towing to the nearest Ford of
Canada or Ford Motor Company
dealership, or towing to your
selling dealership if within 56 km
(35 miles). Even non-warranty
related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in the mud or snow,
are covered (some exclusions
apply, such as impound towing or
repossession.Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance
identification card and place it in
your wallet for quick reference. In
the United States, this card is
found in the Owner Guide portfolio
in the glove compartment in Ford
vehicles and is mailed to you if you
own a Mercury or Lincoln. In
Canada, it's found in the Roadside
Assistance book in the glove
compartment.
To receive roadside assistance in
the United States for Ford or
Mercury vehicles, call
1-800-241-3673 or if you own a
Lincoln vehicle, call
1-800-521-4140. In Canada call
1-800-665-2006.
Should you need to arrange
assistance for yourself, Ford will
reimburse a reasonable amount. To
obtain information about
reimbursement, call
1-800-241-3673 in the United
States for Ford or Mercury
vehicles; or if you own a Lincoln
vehicle, call 1-800-521-4140.
Call 1-800-665-2006 in Canada.
33MMCAen 04/14/1999 9:49 AM Page 223

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
232
Travel equipment
Console
Console armrest
Daytime running lights
Factory luggage rack
Factory luggage rack adapters
Fog lights
Framed luggage covers
Heavy-duty battery
Neutral towing transfer case kit
(Explorer 4.0L only)
Off road lights
Pickup box rails
Removable luggage rack
Removable luggage rack adapters
Retractable bed hooks and loops
Running boards
Snow traction cables
Soft luggage cover
Speed control
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitch
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch wiring adaptorProtection and appearance
equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Bed mat/bedliner tailgate covers
Bed mats
Bedliners
Car/truck covers
Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Flat splash guards
Frond end covers (full and mini)
Hood deflectors
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Rallye bars
Rear air deflectors
Rear decklid spoilers
Side window air deflectors
Spare tire lock
Step bumpers
Step/sill plates
Tailgate covers
Tailgate lock
Tailgate protection
Tonneau covers
Touch-up paint
Universal floor mats
33MMCAen 04/14/1999 9:49 AM Page 232

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
241
SPage
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints)
Safety chains, when towing
a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Safety Compliance Certification
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Safety defects, reporting . . . . . .235
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts . .77, 79
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
cleaning the safety belts . . . . .216
extention assembly . . . . . . . . . .81
for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
lap and shoulder belts . . . . . . . .76
maintenance . . . . . . . . . . .82, 216
vehicle sensitive locking mode .77
warning light and chime . . . .7, 17
Safety seats for children
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . .84, 100
attaching with tether straps . .102
automatic locking mode
(retractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . .78, 99
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .93
in front seat . . . . . . . . . . . .84, 100
tether anchorage hardware . .103
Seats
adjusting the seats, manual . . .72
adjusting the seats, power . . . .73
folding rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . .74
head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Servicing your vehicle . . . . . . . .158
Shift-lock system . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Shift positions (see Gearshift)
Snow tires and chains . . . . . . . .188
SPage
Spare tire
changing the tire . . . . . . . . . . .146
removing the spare tire . . . . . .148
temporary spare tire . . . . . . . .147
Spark plugs, certifications . . . .217
Specification charts, lubricants 219
Speed control
disengaging speed control . . . .60
return to a set speed . . . . . . . . .60
set a speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
set a higher speed . . . . . . . . . . .59
set a lower speed . . . . . . . . . . . .59
turn speed control off . . . . . . . .57
turn speed control on . . . . . . . .57
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start the vehicle .107
starting the engine . . . . . . . . .110
Steering column controls . . . . . .52
Steering wheel
horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Supplemental restraint
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Tail lamps (see Lamps)
Temperature control
(see Climate control)
Testing the warning lights . . . . . .17
Tether anchor installation
(see Child safety restraints)
Tilt steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .53
4MInden 04/14/1999 9:51 AM Page 241