2005 Mercury Montego coolant level

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel cap
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Introduction
9

Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Engine coolant level:Illuminates
when the engine coolant is low. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible,
switch off the engine and let cool.
Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Traction Control
active:
Illuminates when the Traction
Control
is active. If the light
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately, refer to the
Drivingchapter for more
information.
Low fuel (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is at or near empty
(refer toFuel gaugein this
chapter).
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is engaged. Turns
off when the speed control system
is disengaged.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

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

COOLANT LEVEL LOW.Displayed when the engine coolant is low.
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.
CHECK ENGINE.Indicates the engine is not operating properly. If this
warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON/OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Oil Life XX%,
CHANGE SOON/OIL LIFE 0%, CHANGE OIL, OIL LIFE XX%, CHANGE
SOON displayed when the engine oil life remaining is 10 percent and
again when the engine oil life remaining is between 5% and 1%. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL LIFE 0%, CHANGE OIL message will be
displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
[approximately 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 180 days] perform the
following:
1. Select this function from the
SETUP control for current display
mode.
2. Press and release the RESET
control to display “HOLD RESET
TO CONFIRM”.
3. Press and hold the RESET
control to display OIL LIFE SET TO
100%. Your oil life is now reset.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
66

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specification WSB-M8B16–A2.
Refer toLubricant specifications
in this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 40° F (4.5°C),
use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure to use
washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in
impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
216

•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The
coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled
water, which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant
concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester
(such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The
level of coolant should be maintained at the “FULL COLD” level or
within the “COLD FILL RANGE” in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls
below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolant
section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
222

When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the “FULL COLD” level or within the
“COLD FILL RANGE” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir
(depending upon application).
•Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool,until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
223