1996 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual - Page 249

Help Us Protect Our Environment Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that used lead-acid batteries be returned to an authorized recycling facility for disposal. Battery recycling symbol Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer, some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or install a new battery, you must allow the computer to "relearn" its idle conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To let the engine do this, put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all the accessories, and start the vehicle. Let the engine idle for at least one minute. (Engine must be warm in order to "learn.") Also, allow approximately 10 miles (16 km) of stop and go traffic for your vehicle's engine to completely "relearn" its idle. NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.6L engine you will need to perform additional steps after the battery has been disconnected, jump started or replaced. See Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance Testing in Servicing Your Vehicle chapter. 252