1996 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual - Page 226

RWARNING The cooling fan is automatic and may come on at any time. Always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery before working near the fan. u If you must work with the engine running, avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving parts. Take appropriate precautions with long hair. space with the engine running, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation. supported by a jack only. If you must work under a vehicle, use safety stands. materials away from the battery and all fuel-related parts. u Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed u Never get under a vehicle while it is u Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking If you disconnect the battery, the engine must "relearn" its idle conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To find out how the engine does this, see Battery in this chapter. Working with the engine off: 1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). Remove the key from the ignition after you turn the engine off. Block the wheels. This will prevent your vehicle from moving unexpectedly. 2. 3. 229