1996 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual - Page 176

RWARNING Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). To release the parking brake, press down on the pedal until you hear a click. Lift your foot off the pedal. The brake is now released and will reset to lock the next time you press the pedal, located below the lower left corner of the instrument panel. The Brake System Warning Light will glow if the parking brake is not fully released when the engine is running. Always check the Brake Warning Light each time you start your engine. Driving with the parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy. RWARNING If the parking brake is fully released, but the Brake System light remains on, have the brakes checked immediately. They may not be working properly. The parking brake system is designed for static parking only and is not designed to stop a moving vehicle, but you can use the parking brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if the normal brakes fail. However, since the parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the stopping distance will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected. 176