2000 Mercury Mystique check engine

Maintenance and care
180
3. 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.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P
(Park) and leave the engine
running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure
it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. The fluid level
should be in the designated areas
for normal and room temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the hole at the
bottom of the dipstick.
Correct fluid level
The transaxle fluid level should be
checked at normal operating
temperatures 66°C - 77°C (150°F -
170°F) on a level surface. The
normal operating temperature can
be reached after approximately
30 km (20 miles) of driving.
The transaxle fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature of 66°C - 77°C
(150°F - 170°F).Do not drive if below this area
Normal operating temperature
66°C - 77°C (150°F - 170°F)
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:30 Uhr Seite 180

Maintenance and care
197 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 enginelight.
• 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 “Antabuse” 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 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 197

Maintenance and care
200Fuel filler cap
If the check engineindicator
comes on and stays on when you
start the engine, the fuel filler cap
may not be properly installed. Turn
off the engine, remove the fuel
filler cap and reinstall it being
careful to align the cap properly.
If you must replace the fuel
filler cap, replace it with an
authorized Motorcraft part.
The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the fuel
tank or fuel system if an
authorized Motorcraft fuel
filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be
under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it
stops before completely removing
the fuel filler cap. Otherwise fuel
may spray out and injure you or
others.
Cleaner air
Ford approves the use of gasolines
to improve air quality, including
reformulated gasolines that contain
oxygenates such as a maximum of
10% ethanol or 15% MTBE. There
should be no more than 5%
methanol with cosolvents and
additives to protect the fuel
system.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 200

Maintenance and care
203 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 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 203

Maintenance and care
204
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 “Warranty
Guide“ 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
Chimessection of the
Instrumentation chapter. Your
vehicle may not pass the I/M test
with the check engine light on.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 204

Maintenance and care
221 Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a
whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately.
Follow the directions that come
with the cleaner.
Cleaning the instrument panel
OFF LO PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEF FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C HI/
POWER AUDIO AM/FM
SCAN
SEEK 31245ANSSIDE 1-2EJECTVOLUME
000123000010 20 3040506070
80
90
10 0
110
120
13 0MPH20 406055
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
200EF12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
MIRRORS
CLOCK
H C
Clean the instrument panel with a
damp cloth, then dry with a dry
cloth.
Any cleaner or polish that
increases the gloss of the upper
portion of the instrument panel
should be avoided. The dull finish
in this area is to help protect the
driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.
Cleaning leather seats
(if equipped)
For routine cleaning, wipe the
surface with a soft, damp cloth. For
more thorough cleaning, wipe the
surface with a leather and vinyl
cleaner or a mild soap.
Ford recommends using the
Deluxe Leather Care Kit
F8AZ-196253-AA, which is
available from your Ford dealer.
This mild cleaner and special pad
cleans the leather and maintains its
natural beauty. Follow the
instructions on the cleaner label.
Regular cleaning of your leather
upholstery helps maintain its
resiliency and color.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 221

Customer assistance
240ORDERING 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. • 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.
33MCAen 24.6.99 15:40 Uhr Seite 240

Index
242APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .169
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .87
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . .15, 91
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .87
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .69
Antenna, radio
(see Audio system) . . . . . . . . . . .53
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .116
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System)
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .224
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . .123, 129
Battery
charging system warning light . .9
jumping a disabled battery . . .154
proper disposal, recycling . . . .184
replacement, specifications . .223
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .172
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . .121
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)BPage
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) 116
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . .16
fluid, checking and adding . . .172
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .224
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .225
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . .102
inspection after a collision . . .102
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .98
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .210
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .209
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . .33, 186
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .224
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .110
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .202
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Charging system warning light . . .9
Child safety restraints
built-in child seat . . . . . . . . . . .97
child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . .103
children and safety belts . . .93, 95
Child safety seats
and air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
attaching with tether straps . .104
automatic locking mode . . . . . .79
Childproof safety locks . . . . . . . .65
Chimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Circuit breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
4MInden 24.6.99 15:41 Uhr Seite 242