2002 Mercury Mercury Cougar fuel

Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank. The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
When refueling the vehicle from an
empty indication, the amount of fuel
that can be added will be less than
the advertised capacity due to the
reserve fuel.
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
Instrument Cluster
17

WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades for wear at least twice a year or when they seem
less effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments
used by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
CHECKING WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades on your
vehicle for roughness by running the
tip of your fingers over the edge of
the blade.
Traces of grease, silicone and fuel
also prevent wiper blades from
functioning properly. Clean the
blades regularly using a damp cloth
or sponge soaked with diluted
windscreen or car wash detergent.
Change the wiper blades on your vehicle at least once a year.
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
windshield and lock into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward
the windshield to remove it from the
arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Driver Controls
58

TRIP COMPUTER
The trip computer tells you about the condition of your vehicle through
a constant monitor of vehicle systems. You may select display features on
the trip computer for a display of status.
The trip computer only operates with the ignition in the ON position.
Selectable features
Select
Press this control to select the
following features:
²Temperature
²Average speed
²Trip odometer
²Distance to empty
²Average fuel economy
Units
Press this control to change the trip computer display between metric
and English units.
Reset
Press this control to reset the function to zero.
Temperature
Shows the outside air temperature.
It may take several minutes of
driving for the display to update the
present temperature.
Average speed
Shows the average speed since last
reset.
Trip odometer
Refer toGaugesin theInstrument
clusterchapter
Driver Controls
66

Distance to empty
This displays the approximate
distance you can drive with the fuel
remaining in the tank.
Average fuel economy
Shows the average fuel economy
since last reset.
TRUNK REMOTE CONTROL
Push the control located under the
instrument panel by the driver's
door to open the luggage
compartment.
FRONT ASHTRAY
The ashtray is located beneath the
radio.
To open, press and the ashtray
opens automatically. To empty,
extract the ashtray.
CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle has a variety of console features. These include:
²Utility compartment
²Cupholder
²Coin holder slots
Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects can injure you
in a collision.
Driver Controls
67

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
gearshift lever (automatic transaxle
only) and allows key removal. On
vehicles with a manual transaxle
push the key in while turning to
lock.
2. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
3. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
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.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
Driving
112

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
Push the button on the end of the
parking brake and push the handle
down as far as possible to release
the brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
TRACTION CONTROLY
Your vehicle is equipped with a Traction Controlysystem. This system
helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle. It is
especially useful on slippery road surfaces. The system operates by
detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of the
electronic and mechanical elements already present in the anti-lock
braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlyportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the rear brakes
in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque reduction is
realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems. This
process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast acting. The
rear wheels ªsearchº for optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow, ice covered
and gravel roads.
During Traction Controlyoperation, the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the engine will not ªrev-upº when you push
further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior.
Driving
119

N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in the N
(Neutral) position, the vehicle can
be started and is free to roll. Hold
the brake pedal down while in this
position.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transaxle
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transaxle control
switch (TCS) on the underside of
the gearshift handle.
The transaxle control indicator light
(TCIL) (O/D OFF) in the
instrument cluster will illuminate.
Driving
123

When starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle:
1. Hold down the brake pedal and
clutch pedal.
2. Put the gearshift lever in neutral.
3. Start the vehicle.
4. Put the gearshift lever in 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
5. Release the clutch slowly while pressing gradually down on the
accelerator pedal.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do not use
the clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following charts for best fuel economy:
2.0L engine 5±speed transaxle shift speed schedules
Recommended
upshifts:During acceleration: During cruise*:
Shift from: km/h mph km/h mph
First to second 22 14 19 12
Second to third 40 25 32 20
Third to fourth 53 33 46 29
Fourth to fifth 77 48 64 40
*The vehicle can be shifted at lower speeds to improve fuel economy.
Driving
126