1996 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual - Page 264

Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford Specification ESW-M2C33-F, such as Ford Premium Power Steering Fluid, E6AZ-19582-AA or is an equivalent Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid with a Ford registration number (an 8-digit number beginning with "2P" printed on the fluid container). If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive your vehicle for a long period of time before adding fluid. This can damage the power steering pump. If you check the power steering fluid when it is cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the FULL COLD range on the dipstick. The reading will only be accurate if the fluid temperature is approximately 50 to 85˚F (10 to 30˚C). 4.6L SFI engine 1. Check the fluid level when the system is COLD (allow at least one half hour after driving for the power steering fluid to cool). Locate the power steering reservoir mounted to the front upper left-hand corner of the engine. Visually verify that the fluid level is above the MIN line adjacent to the reservoir "sight window." If the power steering fluid is below the MIN line, remove the cap and add fluid in small amounts until the level is between the MIN and MAX lines. Reinstall the reservoir cap. 2. 3. 4. 5. 267