Page 165 of 248
Maintenance and care
165 Working with engine on
(automatic transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with engine on
(manual transaxle)
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in neutral.
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine
with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:30 Uhr Seite 165
Page 166 of 248
Maintenance and care
166Opening the hood
• Pull the handle (1) located
under the instrument panel.
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
1
TRACTION
TROLCH
• Release the safety catch by
reaching under the hood (2)
(adjacent to the Mercury emblem)
and pushing it to the left.
2
3
• Raise the hood and
support it with the strut (3) in the
yellow colored retainer, ensuring it
is secure.
To close, replace the support strut
in its retaining clip, lower the hood
and allow it to drop into the catch
for the last 20 – 30 cm
(8 – 12 inches).
Always check to ensure that the
hood lock is fully engaged.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:30 Uhr Seite 166
Page 176 of 248

Maintenance and care
176
MAX
MIN
1. Before you begin, turn the
engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a
thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant
reservoir (an opaque plastic
bottle). Slowly turn the cap
counterclockwise (left) until the
pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure
releases (you may hear a hissing
sound).
4. When you are sure that all the
pressure has been released from
the cooling system, use the cloth to
turn the cap counterclockwise and
remove it.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly
with the proper coolant mixture
(see above) to within the “cold full“
or the “cold fill range“ level on the
reservoir.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until
tightly installed. (Cap must be
tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss.)
To avoid personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool
before unscrewing the coolant
pressure relief cap. The cooling
system is under pressure; steam
and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is
loosened slightly.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:30 Uhr Seite 176
Page 185 of 248

Maintenance and care
185 Relearning the idle function
Because your vehicle’s engine is
electronically controlled, some
control conditions are maintained
by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a
new battery is installed, the
computer must “relearn” its idle
conditions before your vehicle can
drive properly. To begin this
process:
1. Put the automatic transaxle
gearshift in P (Park). Put the
manual transaxle gearshift in
neutral.
2. Turn off all accessories and start
the vehicle.
3. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
4. The “relearning” process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
• If you do not allow the engine to
“relearn” its idle, the idle quality of
your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is eventually
“relearned”.
• If the battery has been
disconnected or if a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
preset radio stations must be reset
once the battery is reconnected.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 185
Page 208 of 248
Maintenance and care
208Front turn signal/side lamps
Pull the socket out. Pull the bulb
out and replace it.
Foglamps (if equipped)
1. Turn the bulb counterclockwise
and pull it out of the light assembly.
2. Remove the electrical connector.
3. Fit the new bulb in reverse order
(do not touch the glass part of the
bulb).
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 208
Page 209 of 248
Maintenance and care
209
License plate lamp
Unscrew the bulb holder with a
screwdriver. Remove the bulb from
the clip holder.
Replace the new bulb in reverse
sequence. Brake/turn signal/tail lamps
1. Disconnect the electrical
connector.
2. Turn the socket
counterclockwise and pull it out.
3. Turn the bulb counterclockwise
and pull it out.
4. To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse order.
Backup lamps
The backup lamps are located in
the trunk lid. Replacement
instructions are the same as for the
brake/turn signal/tail lamps.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 209
Page 210 of 248
Maintenance and care
210
High-mounted brake lamp
Enter the rear seat compartment.
1. Remove the high-mounted stop
lamp assembly.
2. Remove the red bulb cover.
3. Remove inoperative stop lamp
bulb.
To install, fit the new bulb in
reverse sequence.
On vehicles equipped with a rear
spoiler, the high-mounted brake
lamp is included in the spoiler.
See your dealer for repair.
Luggage compartment lamp
Pry out the light assembly from the
holder with a flat screwdriver. Turn
the spherical bulb under slight
pressure counterclockwise and
remove.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 210
Page 219 of 248
Maintenance and care
219 Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when
they are clean because grease and
dirt buildup act as insulators and
keep the engine warmer than
normal. Follow these guidelines to
clean your engine:
• Take care when using a power
washer to clean the engine. The
high pressure fluid could penetrate
the sealed parts and cause damage.
• Do not spray with cold water, to
avoid cracking the engine block.
• Cover the alternator to prevent
water damage when cleaning the
engine.
• Never wash or rinse the engine
while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal
damage.
31MMCen 24.6.99 15:31 Uhr Seite 219