2000 Mercury Mystique power steering system

Introduction
5 Vehicle symbol glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
Temperature
Battery
Battery Acid
Fan Warning
Maintain Correct Fluid
Level
Engine Air Filter
Jack
Panic Alarm
Engine Coolant
Do Not Open When Hot
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or Sparks
Explosive Gas
Power Steering Fluid
Emission System
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
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Driving
120STEERING YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle comes with power
steering. Power steering uses
energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
If the amount of effort needed to
steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the
power steering system checked. If
the power steering system breaks
down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle
manually but it takes more effort.
Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme right or left for more
than five seconds if the engine is
running. This can damage the
power steering pump. Switching off traction control
If you become stuck in snow or on
a slippery road surface, try
switching off the traction control
system by pressing the switch. This
may allow the excess wheel spin to
“dig“ the vehicle out or enable a
successful “rocking“ maneuver. Do
not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes, because it could
damage the vehicle.
The light in the control illuminates
continuously when the system has
been switched off. To reactivate
the system, depress the switch
again or restart the engine.
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Driving
121 Speed sensitive power steering
(if equipped)
The steering system is speed
sensitive. This means that the
steering effort is light for parking
and heavier for highway driving.
However, if you have to swerve
around an object or another
vehicle, your vehicle will have full
power assist.
TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Automatic transaxle
(if equipped)
Your 2.5 l V6 automatic transaxle
electronically controls the shift feel
by using an adaptive learning
strategy. This feature is designed to
optimize shift smoothness. It is
normal for your transaxle to adjust
during the first few hundred
kilometers (miles) of operation
until the adaptive strategy has
been learned. The adaptive
learning strategy is maintained by
power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new
battery is installed, the transaxle
must relearn its adaptive strategy.
Optimal shifting will resume within
a few hundred kilometers (miles)
of operation.
Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transaxle are equipped
with a brake-shift interlock feature
that prevents the gearshift lever
from being moved from the P
(Park) position unless the brake
pedal is depressed.Putting your vehicle in gear
You must push the thumb button to
move the gearshift to the position
you choose.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake
pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of
P (Park).
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Driving
134TRAILER TOWING
For vehicles equipped with 2.0 L
engines and automatic transaxles,
an auxiliary cooler must be
installed prior to trailer towing to
protect the power steering and
transaxle system.
Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer of up to a maximum of
454 kg (1 000 lbs) gross trailer
weight with a maximum tongue
load of 45 kg (100 lbs). The trailer
should also have 2.3 sq. meters
(25 sq. feet) or less frontal area. Do
not drive faster than 72 km/h
(45 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1 000 lb) trailer.
Your vehicle does not come from
the factory fully equipped to tow.
No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension.
For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use
the proper equipment while
towing.
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Driving
136Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure that
it is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer retailer if you
require assistance.
Auxiliary coolers are recommended
for the power steering system and
automatic transaxle system if you
are planning on:
• Traveling farther than 80 km
(50 miles).
• Towing in hilly terrain.
• Towing frequently.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transaxle
damage, structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.
Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer to Loading your
vehiclein this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded vehicle when figuring the
total weight.
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Maintenance and care
178
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
specificationschapter.MAX
MIN Disposal of used engine coolant
Used engine coolant should be
disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s
regulations and standards for
recycling and/or disposal of
automotive fluids. Use of recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
the use of recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved
processes. However, not all coolant
recycling processes produce
coolant that meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44A. Use of
such coolant may harm the engine
and coolant system components.
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Capacities and specifications
224
* Total capacity
** with automatic transaxle
Engine oil
- with filter
- without
Manual transaxle 1.9 l (2.0 qts)
Automatic transaxle
with oil cooler
Power steering
Cooling system with heating
Windshield washer fluid
Fuel tank
Braking system4.25 l (4.5 qts)
3.75 l (4.0 qts)
8.5 l (9.0 qts.)
6.6 l (7.0 qts)*
7.1 l (7.5 qts)**
Fill to MAX mark
Fill to top of reservoir
58.5 l (15.4 gallons)
Fill to MAX mark5.5 l (5.8 qts)
5.0 l (5.3 qts)
9.6 l (10.2 qts)
9.5 l (10.0 qts)*
9.7 l (10.2 qts)**
Capacities2.0 litre
engine2.5 litre
engine
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243
Index
CPage
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment . . . . . . . .219
exterior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . .221
plastic exterior parts . . . . . . . .220
safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Climate control system
air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
controlling airflow . . . . . . . . . . .26
defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Clutch
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
recommended shift speeds . . .128
Cold engine starting . . . . . . . . .114
Controls
instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . .20
power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Customer assistance . . . . . . . . .229
D
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . .23
Defects, reporting . . . . . . . . . . .241
Defrost
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Dipstick, engine oil . . . . . . . . . .167
Door mounted controls . . . . . . . .64
Driving under special conditions
heavy load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . .134
E
Electrical system
fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143EPage
Emergencies, roadside
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .141
jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Emergency brake (see Parking
brake)
Emission control system . . . . . .202
Engine
check engine warning light . . . .12
fuel pump shut-off switch . . . .141
lubricant specifications . . . . . .225
preparing to start . . . . . . . . . .111
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Engine block heater . . . . . . . . .115
Engine coolant
checking and adding . . . . . . . .174
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
low coolant warning light . . . . .11
refilll capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Engine fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Engine oil
changing oil and filter . . . . . . .170
checking and adding . . . . . . . .169
dipstick . . . . . . . . . .167, 168, 169
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
engine oil pressure
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
filter specifications . . . . . . . . .223
refill capacities . . . . . . . . . . . .224
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . .110, 202
F
Fan (see Engine fan)
Flasher, hazard . . . . . . . . . .56, 141
Flashing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Fluid refill capacities . . . . . . . . .224
Foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23, 208
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