Mercury 1999 Mystique User manual

1
Contents
Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 20
Seating and safety restraints 72
Starting and driving
Starting 104
Driving 112
Roadside emergencies 137
Servicing
Maintenance and care 158
Capacities and specifications 217
Customer assistance 223
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 235
Index 236
11MCoen 4/13/99 2:29 PM Page 2

Introduction
2
ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section on Warnings for
a full explanation.
Indicates that vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps toward this
aim.
BREAKING IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. Simply avoid
driving too fast during the first
1 600 km (1 000 miles). Vary
speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts
a chance to break in.
WARNINGS
How can you reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle and its equipment?
In this owner’s guide, answers to
such questions are contained in
comments highlighted by the
warning triangle symbol.
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Introduction
3
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
GUIDE
The information found in this guide
was in effect at the time of
printing. Ford may change the
contents without notice and
without incurring obligation.
If possible, you should avoid hard
braking for the first 1 600 km
(1 000 miles).
From 1 600 km (1 000 miles)
onwards, you can gradually
increase the performance of your
vehicle up to the permitted
maximum speeds.
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Page 22
Rear window
defroster control*
4
Instrumentation
Page 55
Turn signal/high beam
Page 6
Instrument cluster
Page 54
Hazard flasher
control
Page 56
Windshield
wiper/washer
control
Page 162
Hood release
Page 20, 21
Headlamp control/
Foglamp control*
Page 54
Horn
Page 53
Tilt steering
wheel lever
Page 52
Ignition switch
Page 57
Speed control*
Page 22
Traction control*
Page 23
Power mirrors*
TRACTION
CONTROL CHECK ENGINE
O/D
OFF
Res
Set
Acc
CoastOff
On
EF
000123
0000
10
20
30
4050 60 70 8090
100
110
120
130
MPH
20
40
60
55
80 120
100 140
160
180
200
1
2
0
3
x 1000
456
7
8
M
I
R
R
O
R
S
BRAKE
CH
12MInen 4/13/99 2:10 PM Page 4

5
Instrumentation
On various models the
appearance and location of
some items may differ from
those shown here. However,
the page references given
still apply.
OFFLO PNL/FLR
PANEL
A/C FLOOR
DEF
FLR
DEF
MAX
A/C
HI /
POWER AUDIO AM/FM SCAN
SEEK
31 2
45
ANS
SIDE 1-2
EJECT
VOLUME CLOCK
Page 24
Climate control system
Page 70
Anti-theft system status
indicator*
Page 32
Electronic sound system
* if equipped
Page 23
Instrument panel
dimmer switch
12MInen 4/13/99 2:10 PM Page 5

Instrumentation
6
Turn signal
Flashes when the left or right turn
signal or hazard lights are
activated.
000123
0 0 0 0
10
20
30
4050 60 70 8090
110
120
130
MPH
20
40
60
55
80 120
100 140
160
180
200
100
EF
1
2
0
3
x 1000
456
7
8
O/D
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
000123
0 0 0 0
10
20
30
4050 60 70 8090
110
120
130
MPH
20
40
60
55
80 120
100 140
160
180
200
100
EF
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
O/D
OFF
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
There are two different instrument
cluster designs. The individual
warning and indicator lights are
described on the following pages.
Alternative design
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Instrumentation
7
High beams
Illuminates when the headlamp
high beams are on.
Charging system
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. The light also illuminates
when the battery is not charging
properly and the vehicle may
require electrical system service.
O/D
OFF
TRACTION
CONTROL
Air bag secondary warning
Flashes periodically when there is a
malfunction with the air bag
system.
For more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Safety belt
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on as a reminder to fasten
the safety belts. For more
information, refer to Safety belt
indicator light and warning
chime in the Seating and safety
restraints chapter.
Alternative design
Alternative design
Alternative design
12MInen 4/13/99 2:10 PM Page 7

000123
0 0 0 0
10
20
30
4050 60 70 8090
110
120
130
MPH
20
40
60
55
80 120
100 140
160
180
200
100
EF
1
2
0
3
x 1000
456
7
8
O/D
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
Instrumentation
8
Traction control system light
(if equipped)
This light comes on when the
traction control system has been
disengaged. It may flash on and off
while driving to indicate the system
is operating.
O/D
OFF
TRACTION
CONTROL
000123
0 0 0 0
10
20
30
4050 60 70 8090
110
120
130
MPH
20
40
60
55
80 120
100 140
160
180
200
100
EF
BRAKE
O/D
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
12MInen 4/13/99 2:10 PM Page 8

Instrumentation
9
O/D Off indicator
(Automatic transaxle only)
Illuminates and remains
illuminated when the transaxle
control switch (TCS) on the side of
the gearshift lever is pressed and
overdrive is turned off. For details,
refer to the Driving chapter.
Indicates the status of the
transaxle and will flash steadily if a
malfunction is detected. If the
flashing persists, have your
transaxle serviced by your dealer
or a qualified service technician as
soon as possible.
If the condition persists, your
transaxle may be damaged.
O/D
OFF
TRACTION
CONTROL
Low coolant (if equipped)
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. Illuminates when the engine
coolant level is low. Refer to the
Maintenance and care chapter to
check the engine coolant level.
O/D
OFF
TRACTION
CONTROL
If the light stays on for more than
three (3) seconds after the ignition
is turned to the ON position or
stays on continuously while you are
driving, have the traction control
system checked by a qualified
technician as soon as possible.
For more information, refer to
Traction Control in the Driving
chapter.
12MInen 4/13/99 2:11 PM Page 9

Instrumentation
10
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the
engine’s emission control system.
This system is commonly known
as the On Board Diagnostics (OBD
II) system. This OBD II system
protects the environment by
ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government
emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service
technician in properly servicing
your vehicle.
CHECK
ENGINE
000123
0 0 0 0
10
20
30
4050 60 70 8090
110
120
130
MPH
20
40
60
55
80 120
100 140
160
180
200
100
EF
1
2
0
3
x 1000
456
7
8
TRACTION
CONTROL
O/D
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
000123
0 0 0 0
10
20
30
4050 60 70 8090
110
120
130
MPH
20
40
60
55
80 120
100 140
160
180
200
100
EF
BRAKE
O/D
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
12MInen 4/13/99 2:11 PM Page 10