2005 Mercury Montego brake fluid

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Powertrain MalfunctionSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Introduction
8

Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Check
engine warning light to come on,
refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationchapter.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level or a brake
system malfunction and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
11

Low washer fluid:Illuminates
when the windshield washer fluid is
low.
Door ajar:Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON position and
any door or decklid is open.
Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the Securilock
Passive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
Throttle Control/Transmission:
Illuminates when a powertrain fault
or an AWD fault (if equipped) has
been detected. Contact your dealer
as soon as possible.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Turn signal warning chime:Sounds when the turn signal lever has
been activated to signal a turn and not turned off after the vehicle is
driven more than 1/2 mile (0.8 km).
Parking brake ON:Sounds when the parking brake is left ON and
driven. If the warning stays on after the park brake is off, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13

System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for two to four seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
1. OIL LIFE
2. DOORS CLOSED
3. LIFTGATE/TRUNK CLOSED
4. ENGINE TEMP
5. CHARGING SYSTEM
6. BRAKE SYSTEM
7. PARK BRAKE STATUS
8. OIL PRESSURE
9. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
10. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
11. COOLANT LEVEL
12. TRANSMISSION STATUS
13. TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped)
14. AWD SYSTEM (if equipped)
15. FUEL LEVEL
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for several
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
62

Warnings Status
Low brake fluid Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to RUN
Liftgate ajar (if equipped)
Trunk ajar (if equipped)
Check Traction Control (if
equipped)
Washer Fluid level low
Coolant level low
Check engine
Change oil soon
Oil change required
Data error
DRIVER’S DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the left rear door is not
completely closed.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the right rear door is not
completely closed.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the park brake is engaged.
If the warning stays on after the park brake is off, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER.Displayed when the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as safely possible.
ETC-ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE.Displayed when the engine has
defaulted to a “limp-home” operation. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
64

AWD MALFUNCTION (if equipped).Displayed when the AWD
system is not operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, contact your dealer immediately.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
OIL PRESSURE LOW.Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
LIFTGATE AJAR (if equipped).Displayed when the liftgate is not
completely closed.
TRUNK AJAR (if equipped).Displayed when the trunk is not
completely closed.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped).Displayed when the
Traction Control
system is not operating properly. If this warning stays
on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction control
in theDrivingchapter.
LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
65

To reset the oil monitoring system to your personalized oil life %:
1. From step 3 above.
2. Release the RESET control
momentarily, then press RESET and
SETUP controls at the same time to
activate a service mode which will
display OIL LIFE XX% RESET TO
ALTER.
3. Press RESET until you find your personalized OIL LIFE XX%.
4. With your personalized OIL LIFE XX% displayed, press SETUP to
continue the system check.
DATA ERR.These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
•Fuel computer
•Charging system
•Coolant system
•Traction control (if equipped)
•Door sensor
•Brake fluid
•Compass (if equipped)
•Outside temperature (if equipped)
•Engine sensor
•Transmission control module (TCM)
•Fuel cap sensor
•Seat belt sensor
•Park brake
•Oil pressure sensor
Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a
regular basis.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
67

•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
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.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless the brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Remove the trim ring around the gearshift lever.
2. Remove the console panel by
opening the armrest, grasping the
panel firmly, then pulling up. This
will allow access to the gearshift
assembly.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driving
169