1999 Mercury Mystique Owner's Manuals

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

Customer assistance
234
ORDERING ADDITIONAL
OWNER'S LITERATURE
To order the publications in this
portfolio in the United States:
Make checks payable to:
HELM, INCORPORATED
P.O. Box 07150
Detroit, Michigan, 48207
For a free publication catalog,
order toll free: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00
p.m. EST.,
for credit card holders only.
To order the publications in this
portfolio in Canada
Make cheques payable to:
Ford Motor Company of Canada,
Ltd.
Service Publications
P.O. Box 1580, Station B
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4Y
4G3
or order toll free:
1-800-387-4966
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
EST.,
for credit card holders only.
33MMCAen 04/14/1999 9:49 AM Page 234

Reporting safety defects
235
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
(U.S. ONLY)
If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect that could cause a crash,
or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to Ford Motor Company.
If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you,
your dealer or Ford Motor
Company.
To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline
toll–free at 1-800-424-9393
(202-366-0123 in the Washington
D.C. area) or write to
NHTSA
U.S.Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street
Washington D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other
information about motor vehicle
safety from the hotline.
33MMCAen 04/14/1999 9:49 AM Page 235

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
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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
240
MPage
Maintenance (see Servicing)
Manual transaxle
backing up (reverse) . . . . . . . .125
clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
fluid, capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
shift speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Mileage, calculating fuel
economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) . . . .23
Motorcraft parts . . . . . . . . . . . .217
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
O
Octane rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Oil (see Engine oil)
Oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165, 217
On-board diagnostic (OBD II)
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 120
Overhead controls . . . . . . . . . . . .61
P
Panel dimmer control . . . . . . . . .23
Panic alarm, remote entry sytem 67
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) . . .217
Passenger compartment
air filter (see Cabin air filter) . .181
Passive Anti-Theft
System (PATS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
PPage
Power distribution box
(see Fuses)
Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Power features
mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding . . .173
fluid, refill capacity . . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
R
Radio (see Audio system) . . . . . .32
Rear window defroster . . . . . . . .22
Refill capacities for fluids . . . . .218
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Remote control
luggage compartment . . . . . . . .64
Remote entry system
locking/unlocking doors . . . . . .66
opening the trunk . . . . . . . . . . .67
panic alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
replacing the batteries . . . . . . .67
replacement/additional
transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Repairing paint chips . . . . . . . .212
Reporting safety defects . . . . . .235
Restraints, safety . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Rotating the tires . . . . . . . . . . . .185
4MInden 04/14/1999 9:51 AM Page 240