1999 Mercury Mystique check engine

Maintenance and care
165
ADDFULL
Engine oil
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil
CERTIFIED FOR GASOLINE
ENGINES by the American
Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary
and could, under certain
conditions, lead to engine damage
which is not covered by Ford
Warranty.
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
To check the oil:
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground. If the engine is warm, turn
the engine off and wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake and ensure
the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park). Put the manual gearshift
in 1 (first) or R (Reverse).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
4. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil dipstick.
5. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert
the dipstick fully, then remove it
again. The oil level should be in the
range shown on the dipstick.
2.0 l DOHC
2.5 l DOHC
AMERICANPETROLEUMINSTITUTE
CERTIFIED
FOR
GASOLINE
ENGINES
AMERICANPETROLEUMINSTITUTECERTIFIEDFOR
GASOLINE
ENGINES
Motorcraft
Do not exceed MAX!
Do not exceed MAX!
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Maintenance and care
166
6. If the oil level is below the
minimum line, add engine oil as
necessary. If the oil level is beyond
the maximum line, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed
from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Continuous contact with
used motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer to
Checking the
engine oil
in this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within the
normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level.
Make
sure the oil level is not above
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
Change your engine oil and oil filter
according to the scheduled mileage
and time requirements, whichever
occurs first.
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Maintenance and care
169
Engine coolant maintenance
MAX
MIN
Checking and adding engine
coolant
Check the level of the coolant in
the reservoir at least once a month.
Be sure to read and understand
Precautions when servicing your
vehicle
in this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been
checked for a long period of time,
the engine coolant reservoir may
eventually empty. If this occurs,
add engine coolant to the coolant
reservoir. For more information
refer to
Adding engine coolant in
this chapter.
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside its specified
function and vehicle location.
Do not put windshield
washer fluid in the container
for engine coolant.
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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.
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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
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Maintenance and care
174
Automatic transaxle fluid
Follow the scheduled service
intervals outlined in the
maintenance guide and or service
guide.
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type is used. The type
of fluid used is normally indicated
on the dipstick and/or dipstick
handle and also in the
Lubricant
specifications
section in the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the hole at the
bottom of the dipstick and outside
temperatures are above 10¡C
(50¡F).
Your transaxle does not use up
fluid. However, it is recommended
that you check the transaxle fluid
at least twice a year. The fluid level
should be checked if the transaxle
is not working properly, i.e., if the
transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if
you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Transaxle fluid should be checked
at normal operating temperatures
of 66¡C - 77¡C (150¡F - 170¡F) on a
level surface while the engine is
running in the P (Park) gearshift
lever position. The normal
operating temperature can be
reached after approximately 32 km
(20 miles) of driving.
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Maintenance and care
175
The transaxle fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature 66¡C - 77¡C
(150¡F - 170¡F).
The transaxle fluid should be in
this range if at room temperature
10¡C - 35¡C (50¡F - 95¡F).
If the vehicle has been operated for
an extended period at high speeds,
in the city during hot weather or
pulling a trailer, the vehicle should
be turned off for about thirty
minutes to allow the fluid to cool
before checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface and engage the parking
brake.
2. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in
P (Park) and leave the engine
running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
5. Install the dipstick making sure
it is fully seated in the filler tube.
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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.
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