1999 Mercury Mystique spare tire

Roadside emergencies
146
CHANGING TIRES
Park your vehicle in such a position
that neither the traffic nor you are
hindered or endangered when
changing the tire. Ensure that the
vehicle is on firm, level ground.
Secure your vehicle further by
blocking the wheels.
Activate the hazard lights.
Apply the parking brake and
engage first or reverse gear if the
vehicle has a manual transaxle or, if
the vehicle has an automatic
transaxle, select the P (Park)
position.
If parking on a slope is unavoidable,
block the wheels.
The temporary spare tire
The vehicle may have a high
pressure temporary spare tire. This
spare is smaller than a regular tire
and is designed for emergency use
only. This tire should be replaced
as soon as possible.
If you use the temporary
spare tire continuously or do
not follow these precautions, the
tire could fail, causing you to lose
control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
23MREen 4/13/99 3:42 PM Page 146

Roadside emergencies
147
80
MAX
km/h
When driving with a temporary
spare tire:
¥ Do not exceed the maximum
speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and
only drive the shortest possible
distance.
¥ Do not exceed the permissible
gross weight of the vehicle.
¥ Do not install more than one
spare wheel on your vehicle at any
one time.
¥ Do not use snow chains on this
type of wheel.
¥ Do not drive through an
automatic car wash.
Spare tire location
The spare tire and tools are located
under the floor cover in the
luggage compartment.
50
MAX
mph
Removing the spare tire and
tools
1. Raise the rear of the floor cover
in the luggage compartment.
2. Completely unscrew the bolt and
remove the bolt and cup.
3. Lift out the spare wheel.
4. Unscrew the jack bolt and
remove jack.
5. Obtain jack handle, which is
located on the floor under the
spare wheel.
23MREen 4/13/99 3:42 PM Page 147

Roadside emergencies
149
Replacing a tire
1. Push the spare tire onto the
wheel studs.
2. Screw on the wheel nuts,
ensuring the tapered end of the
wheel nuts are facing the wheel,
and secure in a clockwise direction.
3. Lower the vehicle and remove
the jack by turning the handle
counterclockwise.
4. Fully tighten the wheel nuts in a
crosswise pattern.
5. Align the hub cap with the valve
and push firmly into position with
the ball of the hand.
6. Stow the jack and damaged tire
in the luggage compartment by
reversing the spare tire removal
instructions.
3
42 1
23MREen 4/13/99 3:42 PM Page 149

Maintenance and care
182New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have their Tire Quality Grade
(described below) molded into the
tireÕs sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by
standards that the United States
Department of Transportation has
set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. They do not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined
in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulation Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of
Transportation Ð Tire quality
grades:
The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to
give you the following information
about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
INFORMATION ABOUT TIRE
QUALITY GRADES
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 182

Maintenance and care
189
Change over from winter to
summer tires as soon as road
conditions allow, this will reduce
fuel consumption and noise in the
vehicleÕs interior.
¥ Drive cautiously. If you hear the
chains rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If
this does not work, remove the
chains to prevent vehicle damage.
¥ Local regulations may prohibit or
restrict the use of tire chains.
Investigate the laws and
regulations in your area before
installing chains.
¥ Avoid overloading your vehicle.
¥ Do not use tire chains on
temporary spare tires.
¥ Remove the tire chains when
they are no longer needed. Do not
use chains on dry roads.
¥ The suspension insulation and
bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these
components from the vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
31MMCen 4/13/99 2:17 PM Page 189

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

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

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