2002 Mercury Mercury Cougar fuel pump

Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as ªRegularº that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
For Cougar S vehicles, please use ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 91.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline. ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world's automakers
issued the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control
system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto Makers' Choiceylogo.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated ªcleaner-burningº gasolines to
improve air quality.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
185

ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km (1 000
miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3 000 km±5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
Maintenance and Specifications
186

dipstick ....................................172
filter, specifications ........174, 198
recommendations ...................174
refill capacities ........................199
specifications ..................200±201
Exhaust fumes ..........................116
F
Floor mats ...................................68
Fluid capacities .........................199
Foglamps .....................................47
Fuel ............................................182
calculating fuel economy .......186
cap ...........................................183
capacity ...................................199
choosing the right fuel ...........184
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................188
detergent in fuel .....................185
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................182±183, 186
filter, specifications ................198
fuel pump shut-off switch .....135
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........186
low fuel warning light ..............13
octane rating ...................185, 201
quality ......................................185
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................182
Fuses ..................................136±137
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............183
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................186
Gauges .........................................16engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................129
definition .................................129
driving with a heavy load ......129
location ....................................129
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................129
calculating ...............................129
definition .................................129
driving with a heavy load ......129
location ....................................129
H
Hazard flashers .........................135
Headlamps ...................................47
aiming ........................................49
bulb specifications ....................51
daytime running lights .............47
flash to pass ..............................48
high beam ...........................14, 48
turning on and off ....................47
warning chime ..........................15
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................44
Hood ..........................................168
I
Ignition ...............................112, 201
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................106
Index
209