2001 Mercury Cougar Owner Guide 2nd Printing
2001 Mercury Cougar Manual
2001 Mercury Cougar manual content summary:
- 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 1
or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Ford Motor Company. Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation. Copyright E 2000 Ford Motor Company 2 6 24 109 149 156 180 202 - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 2
Introduction CALIFORNIA Propositon 65 Warning Warning: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 3
, vary speeds frequently. This is necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in. If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes for the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles). INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing. Ford may - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 4
Belt Airbag - Side Child Seat Installation Warning Brake System Brake Fluid NonĆPetroleum Based Master Lighting Switch Fog Lamps - Front Fuel Pump Reset Windshield Defrost/Demist Power Windows Front/Rear See Owner's Guide Airbag - Front Child Seat Child Seat Tether Anchorage AntiĆLock Brake System - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 5
Door Lock/Unlock Engine Oil Engine Coolant Temperature Battery Battery Acid Fan Warning Maintain Correct Fluid Level Engine Air Filter Jack Panic Alarm Engine Coolant Do Not Open When Hot Avoid Smoking, Flames, or Sparks Explosive Gas Power Steering Fluid Emission System Passenger Compartment Air - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 6
24, 25 Headlamp control/ Foglamp control* Page 25 Panel dimmer control Page 87 Turn signal/ high beams Page 8 Instrument cluster Page 86 Hazard flasher control Page 88 Windshield wiper/ washer control Page 206 Hood release Page 98 Luggage compartment release Page 128 Air bag system Page 86 Tilt - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 7
Page 106 AntiĆtheft system status indicator On various models the appearance and location of some items may differ from those shown here. However, the page references given still apply. Page 12 Traction control system * Page 28 Rear window defroster control Page 29 Climate controls Page 35 Audio - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 8
Instrumentation INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS AND CHIMES 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 System (OBD II). This OBD II system protects the environment by ensuring that your - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 9
fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening the gas cap. After three drive cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the check engine" light should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving). No additional - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 10
Instrumentation If the check engine" light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity. Light is blinking: Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter. You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 11
Instrumentation Air bag readiness Briefly illuminates when the ignition is turned on. If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash or remains on, have the system serviced immediately. Foglamps Illuminates when foglamps are switched on. Refer to Foglamp control in the Controls and features - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 12
the ignition key. The light in the control illuminates when the system is switched off. Safety belt Illuminates when the ignition is switched on as a reminder to fasten the safety belts. For more information, refer to Safety belt warning light and warning chime in the Seating and safety restraints - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 13
and care chapter to check the engine oil level as soon as possible. If the engine oil level is correct and the light remains illuminated, do not start the engine. See your dealer or a qualified service technician. Brake system warning Extinguishes when the parking brake is released. Illuminates - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 14
light will remain on until the ignition is cycled. Refer to the Maintenance and care chapter to check the engine coolant level. Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped) Briefly illuminates when the ignition is turned on and the engine is off. If the light stays on, the ABS needs to be serviced - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 15
detected. If the flashing persists, have your transaxle serviced by your dealer or a qualified service technician as soon as possible. Automatic transaxle warning (if equipped) Illuminates when driving to indicate a possible malfunction with the transaxle. Have the system checked by your dealer or - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 16
's safety belt is fastened), low coolant, engine oil pressure, check engine, air bag readiness, traction control, brake system and ABS. The overhead warning lights (if equipped) should also illuminate briefly. If any of these lights do not illuminate, see your dealer or qualified service technician. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 17
warning chime Sounds when the key is left in the off/lock or accessory position and the driver's door is open. Safety belt warning chime For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter. Liftgate ajar warning chime (if equipped) Sounds when the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 18
, the needle remains within the normal area. If it enters the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the vehicle, turn off the engine and let the engine cool. Refer to Cooling system in the Maintenance and care chapter. Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is running or hot. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 19
Tachometer Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). Trip odometer Registers the distance traveled on individual journeys. Refer to Trip computer in the Controls and features chapter. Speedometer Indicates the current vehicle speed. On Cougar S vehicles, the speedometer - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 20
reserve fuel. Low fuel reminder Illuminates as an early reminder of a low fuel condition indicated on the fuel gauge. When refueling the vehicle after the light first comes on, the amount of fuel that can be added will be less than the advertised capacity since there is still fuel in the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 21
800 miles) or 358 days to indicate that routine service should be performed. Check your maintenance schedule to determine the routine service to be completed. Routine service should be performed by an authorized Ford or Lincoln/Mercury Dealer. The light should be switched off by your Ford or Lincoln - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 22
an increased danger of icy roads. The absence of a light in cold temperatures does not necessarily mean that there is no risk of ice on the road. Caution should be exercised when weather conditions indicate that ice may be present. Even if the air temperature rises to above +4_C (39_F) it is no - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 23
Instrumentation Washer fluid warning Indicates that the washer fluid reservoir is low. Refill as soon as possible. If a valid signal is received, the light will remain on until the ignition is cycled. Door ajar Illuminates when the ignition is switched on and any door or liftgate is open. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 24
Controls and features INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTROLS Headlamp control Lamps off. Turn one position clockwise: Parking lamps, instrument panel lamps, license plate lamps and tail lamps on. Turn two positions clockwise: Headlamps on. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 25
toward you while the headlamps are on to turn the foglamps on. Push the control in to turn off the foglamps. Daytime running lights (DRL) (Canadian vehicles only) The DRL system turns the headlamps on, with a reduced light output, when: • the ignition is in the on position and • the headlamp is in - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 26
Controls and features Trip computer Press the SELECT button to change between temperature, Press the RESET button to set the function to zero (if resetable). Temperature Shows the outside air temperature. It may take several minutes of driving for the display to update the present temperature. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 27
Controls and features Tripmeter Shows how far you have traveled since last reset. Distance to and 24 hours. To advance the hours, press the UNITS button again until the hour flashes. Press the RESET button to advance the hours. To advance the minutes, press the UNITS button again until the minutes - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 28
operate the rear window defroster. The defroster turns off automatically after 10 minutes or when the ignition is turned to the off position. To manually turn off the defroster, push the control again. The light in the control illuminates when the system is switched on. Front ashtray The ashtray is - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 29
Controls and features Climate controls Your vehicle is equipped with a manual heating and air conditioning system. Vents Adjust as necessary. Low airflow: rotate vent clockwise. High airflow: rotate vent counterclockwise. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 30
selector Controls the direction of the airflow to the inside of the vehicle. The air conditioning compressor (if equipped) will operate in all modes except , , and . However, the air conditioning will only function if the outside temperature is 4°C (39°F) or higher. Since the air conditioner removes - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 31
Controls and features • MAX A/C (if equipped): Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier than mode to prevent any undesirable odors from entering the vehicle. • A/C (if equipped): Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C but not as economical. Airflow will - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 32
Controls and features • : Distributes outside air through the instrument panel registers and the floor ducts. For added customer comfort, the air distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel registers. If temperature is set to cool, the air - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 33
4. If the temperature is about 4°C (39°F) or higher, the air conditioner (if equipped) will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging. Operating Tips • For best cooling performance, select . To operate, the center vents must be closed and the outer vents positioned towards the windows. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 34
Controls and features • Don't put objects under the front seat that will interfere with airflow to the back seats. • Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake control system. Cabin air filter Your vehicle is equipped with an air filter that removes pollen and road dust from outside air - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 35
Controls and features AUDIO SYSTEM Anti-theft protection panel (if equipped) To deter wouldĆbe thieves, Ford audio units have a removable front panel without which the unit will not work. Avoid touching the contacts on the back of the panel and do not use excessive force to refit it. Slide the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 36
Controls and features Radio reception To gain the best reception, always tune to the strongest station signal available. The following tips will help you gain the best reception from your Ford audio system. AM reception Under most conditions, strong signals provide stable sound quality and little - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 37
with the ignition turned off. The radio automatically switches off after one hour. Audio power can also be turned on by pressing the AM/FM select control or the tape/CD select control. Audio power is turned off by using the volume/power control. Turn control to raise or lower volume. If the volume - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 38
CD play and begin radio play. AM/FM select The AM/FM select control works in radio, tape and CD modes. AM/FM select in radio mode This control allows you to select AM or FM frequency bands. Press the control to switch between AM, FM1 or FM2 memory preset stations. AM/FM - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 39
" to move to the next frequency up the band (whether or not a listenable station is located there). Hold for quick movement. Tune adjust The tune control works in radio mode. Tune adjust in radio mode • Press A to move to the next frequency down the band (whether or not a listenable station is - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 40
and features Seek function The seek function control works in radio, tape or CD mode. Seek function radio mode Press A to find the next listenable station down the frequency of the current disc. After the last track has been completed, the first track of the current disc will automatically replay. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 41
and features Seek function The seek function control works in radio, tape or CD mode. Seek function in radio mode Press A to find the next listenable station down the track of the current disc. After the last track has been completed, the first track of the current disc will automatically replay. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 42
in a forward direction. At the end of the tape's first side, direction automatically reverses to the opposite side of the tape.) To stop on a particular selection, press the control again. Scan function in CD mode Press the SCAN control to hear a short sampling of all selections on the CD. (The CD - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 43
in a forward direction. At the end of the tape's first side, direction automatically reverses to the opposite side of the tape.) To stop on a particular selection, press the control again. Scan function in CD mode Press the SCAN control to hear a short sampling of all selections on the CD. (The CD - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 44
without losing your original manually set preset stations. This feature is helpful on trips when you travel between cities with with different radio stations. Starting autoset memory preset 1. Select a frequency using the AM/FM select controls. 2. Press the AUTO control. 3. When the first six - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 45
presets. To deactivate autoset and return to your audio system's maually set memory stations, press the AUTO control again. Bass adjust The bass adjust control allows you to increase or decrease the audio system's bass output. Press the BASS control then press: • A to decrease the bass output and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 46
• " to shift the sound to the rear. Tape/CD select • To begin tape play (with a tape loaded into the audio system) while in the radio or CD mode, press the TAPE control. Press the button during rewind or fast forward to stop the rewind or fast forward function. • To begin CD play - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 47
and CD modes. • In the tape mode, tape direction will automatically reverse when the end of the tape is reached. • In CD mode, pressing the control fast forwards the CD within the current track. Tape direction select Press SIDE 1Ć2 to play the alternate side of a tape. Eject function Press the EJ - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 48
amount of hiss and static during tape playback. Press the control to activate (and deactivate) the noise reduction. Dolby noise reduction passages together for a more consistent listening level. Press the COMP control to activate and deactivate compression adjust. Shuffle feature The shuffle feature - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 49
mode and plays all tracks on the current disc in random order. Press the SHUFFLE control to start this feature. Random order play will continue until the SHUFFLE control is pressed again. Mute button Press the control to mute the playing media. Press the control again to return to the playing media. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 50
/cassette with premium sound is compatible with a CD changer. Automatic Fade/Balance CD control Waveband/ music search control AutoStore selector Tape Bass/ Scan control Treble tuning buttons control On/Off and Volume control Station preset buttons AntiĆtheft protection panel release button SEEK - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 51
The AM/FM stereo/single CD player with premium sound is compatible with a CD changer. CD eject Bass/Treble control Fade/Balance control Scan tuning Clock CD control Waveband/ AutoStore selector On/Off and Volume control Station preset buttons AntiĆtheft protection panel release button SEEK tuning - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 52
on/off. This button can also operate the unit for up to one hour with the ignition turned off. The radio automatically switches off after one hour. Volume control The display indicates the level selected. Bass/Treble control Press BASS/TREBLE" once for bass or twice for treble and use the volume - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 53
) or twice for balance (left to right), and use the volume control for sound system adjustment. The display indicates the level selected. The fade function is applicable to vehicles with front and rear speakers only. Seek tuning control (SEEK) During radio reception, press A or " to locate the next - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 54
Controls and features Band • Press and hold the AM/FM button to activate AutoStore. • AST" flashes in the display while the unit searches through the FM frequencies. • When the search the other preset buttons. • Alternatively, AutoStore can be used as an additional waveband to store other stations - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 55
Controls and features Station preset buttons Select a waveband (FM or AM) and tune ) - radio Use the MENU button to access main menu features and the SEEK button for adjustment. Manual tuning Press the MENU button repeatedly until a display like the one shown opposite appears. Then use the SEEK - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 56
use the SEEK button to turn this function on (AVC + 1" to AVC + 7") or off (AVC OFF"). When selected, Automatic Volume Control increases or decreases the audio unit's volume level to compensate for engine and road speed noise. This feature is not available on some vehicles and will not appear as - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 57
part way in to restart playback. If rewind is engaged during radio reception, tape playback will automatically restart when the beginning of the tape is reached. During fast forward and rewind, radio transmission is automatically restored (with Automatic Music Search function turned off). Auto - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 58
Controls and features Tape side selection During tape playback, press both and buttons partially in to change the tape side being played. Tape eject Press both - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 59
Controls and features Automatic Music Search (AMS) Press AMS to turn this function on or off. With this feature activated, press either A or " buttons (as that the tape head in the audio unit is cleaned regularly with a wet cleaning cassette, which is available from your Lincoln/Mercury Dealer. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 60
the SEEK button to turn this function on (AVC + 1" to AVC + 7") or off (AVC OFF"). When selected, Automatic Volume Control increases or decreases the audio unit's volume level to compensate for engine and road speed noise. This feature is not available on certain vehicles and will not appear as - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 61
Controls and features AM/FM stereo/single CD player with premium sound CD indicates elapsed track time up to 19:59. If the track is longer than twenty minutes, the first digit flashes while the rest of the numeral returns to zero and starts counting again. Track selection Press A SEEK to return - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 62
Controls and features Fast forward/reverse Press and hold A SEEK or SEEK " to inserted. CD eject During CD playback, press . When ejected, the disc is held ready for removal. If it is left as it is, the disc will be pulled back inside the audio unit automatically, and retained ready for playback. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 63
Controls and features CD care and maintenance For best possible sound quality, use CDs that are clean and in good condition. CD error codes Codes may be shown in the audio unit display that indicate errors with the CD unit. These codes are as follows: Display E11 or E15 E12 E14 E16 Description/ - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 64
Controls and features Random track playback (SHUF) Press the MENU button repeatedly until a display like the one shown opposite appears. Then use the SEEK button to turn this function on (SHUFĆON") or off (SHUFĆOFF"). With the function on, the elapsed time indicator is replaced by SHUF" as a new - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 65
button to turn this function on (AVC + 1" to AVC + 7") or off (AVC OFF"). • When selected, Automatic Volume Control increases or decreases the audio unit's volume level to compensate for engine and road speed noise. • The SEEK button provides a selection of settings between AVC OFF" and AVC - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 66
Controls and features Random track playback (SHUF) Cassette and CD radio units Press the turn this function on (SHUFĆON") or off (SHUFĆOFF"). With the function on, the elapsed time indicator is replaced by SHUF" as a new track is selected. If an optional CD changer is fitted, the audio unit plays - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 67
Then use the SEEK button to turn this function on (AVC ON") or off (AVC OFF"). • When selected, Automatic Volume Control increases or decreases the audio unit's volume level to compensate for engine and road speed noise. • The SEEK button provides a selection of settings between AVC OFF" and AVC - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 68
PREMIUM AM/FM STEREO IN DASH SIX CD RADIO Volume/power control Press the control to turn the audio system on or off. Push on Turn the control to raise or lower volume. If the volume is set above a certain level and the ignition is turned off, the volume will come back on at a nominal" listening - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 69
Tune adjust in radio mode • Press A to move to the next frequency down the band (whether or not a listenable station is located there). Hold the control to move through the frequencies quickly. • Press " to move to the next frequency up the band (whether or not a listenable station is located there - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 70
of the disc unless shuffle mode is engaged.) Refer to Shuffle feature for more information. Hold the control to continue reversing through the disc. • Press " to select the next disc. Hold the control to fastĆforward through the remaining discs. Seek function The seek function works in radio or CD - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 71
. After the last track has been completed, the first track of the current disc will automatically replay. Scan function The scan function works in radio or CD mode. Scan function in radio mode Press the SCAN control to hear a brief sampling of all listenable stations on the frequency band. Press the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 72
1. Select the frequency band with the AM/FM select control. Press the AM/FM control to toggle between AM, FM1, or FM2. 2. Press the SEEK control to access the next listenable station up or down the frequency band. Press the TUNE control to go up or down the listening band in individual increments - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 73
local radio stations without losing your original manually set preset stations. This feature is helpful on trips when you travel between cities with different radio stations. Starting autostore 1. Press and momentarily hold the AM/FM control. 2. AUTOSTORE will flash in the display as the frequency - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 74
be entered by pressing the CD control and the LOAD control. Load the CD into the audio system. The first track of the disc will begin playing. After that, CD play will begin where it stopped last. If an alternative CD is desired, press the corresponding preset control (1ć6) of a loaded CD, or press - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 75
should only be loaded by pressing the LOAD control. Press the LOAD control. (You can choose which slot will be loaded by pressing the desired preset number. If you do not choose a slot, the system will choose the next available one.) Wait until the CD door opens. Load the CD into the player. LOADING - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 76
For example, to eject CD#2, press the EJ control and then press the present #2 control. If you do not choose a specific CD, the player will eject the current CD. If a CD is ejected and not removed from the door of the CD player, the player will automatically reload the CD. This feature may be used - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 77
control to engage auto eject. All CDs which are present in the player will be ejected one at a time. If a CD is ejected and not removed from the door of the CD player, the player will automatically the control to disengage rewind mode. When in rewind mode, your audio system will automatically lower - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 78
passages together for a more consistent listening level. Press the COMP control until COMP ON is displayed. Bass adjust The bass adjust control allows you to increase or decrease the audio system's bass output. Press the BASS control. Use the SEL control to increase or decrease the amount of bass. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 79
and features Treble adjust The treble adjust control allows you to increase or decrease the audio system's treble output. Press the TREB control. Use the SEL control to increase or decrease the amount of treble. Speaker balance adjust Speaker sound distribution can be adjusted between the right - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 80
features Menu mode The MENU control allows you to access many different features within your audio system. There are three sets clock. • SELECT MINUTES Ċ Refer to Setting the clock. • RDS OFF Ċ Refer to Radio data system. • If RDS is turned on, you can access the following: • SELECT HOURS Ċ Refer to - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 81
Controls and features When in CD mode, you can access: SELECT HOURS, SELECT programmed as local or distant. Refer to Traffic announcements. RDS ON/OFFĊ This feature allows your audio system to receive text information from RDSĆequipped FM radio stations. Refer to RDS feature. FIND type Ċ Allows - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 82
will interrupt radio and CD play. • Press the MENU control until TRAFFIC is displayed. • Press the SEL control to engage the feature. The display will read TRAFFIC ON the display reading TRAFFIC ON, adjust the volume using the volume control to the desired level. The volume level will show at the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 83
you to search for RDS stations selectively by their program type. Press the MENU control until FIND program type is displayed. Use the SEL control to select the program type. With the feature on, use the SEEK or SCAN control to find the desired program type from the following selections: • Classic - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 84
clock for information. Mute mode Press the control to mute the playing media. Press the control again to return to the playing media. Setting the clock Press the MENU control until SELECT HOUR or SELECT MINUTE is displayed. Use the SEL control to manually set the time. • Press Y to increase hours - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 85
and features STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS Ignition 1. Ignition off, steering wheel locked. On vehicles with automatic transaxles, the ignition key can return to this position only if the gearshift lever is in P (Park). 2. The accessory position. Steering unlocked, radio operational. Ignition and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 86
all electrical circuits operational. Warning and indicator lights illuminate. This key position is for normal driving. 4. Starter motor activated. Release the key as soon as the engine starts. Tilt steering Pull the locking lever on the steering column cover up to adjust the steering column position - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 87
Controls and features Multi-function switch The turn signal functions are available only with the ignition switch on. Right turn signal Move the lever up. Left turn signal Move the lever down. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 88
Controls and features Flash-to-pass Pull the lever toward you and release quickly for flashĆtoĆpass" operation. High beam headlamps Push the lever toward the instrument panel. Windshield wipers and washer Wipers Lift the windshield wiper lever to the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 89
wheel. The washer operates in conjunction with the windshield wipers. Rear window wipers and washer (if equipped) Wiper To turn it on, push the wiper control inward. Push the control in again to turn it off. Washer Push the lever away from the steering wheel. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 90
(if equipped) Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding, slippery, or unpaved. To turn speed control on • Press On. Vehicle speed cannot be controlled until the vehicle is travelling at or above 48 km/h (30 mph). Do not shift the gearshift lever into N (Neutral - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 91
programmed set speed will be erased. To set a speed Press + and release. For speed control to operate, the speed control must be on and the vehicle speed must be greater than 48 km/h (30 mph). The control light in the instrument panel will illuminate. If you drive up or down a steep hill, your - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 92
Controls You may accelerate with the accelerator pedal at any time during speed control usage. Releasing the accelerator pedal will return your vehicle speed to speed. To set a lower speed • Press and hold -. Release the control when the desired vehicle speed is reached, or • press and release -. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 93
To disengage speed control • Lightly depress the brake or clutch pedal. Disengaging the speed control will not erase the previously programmed set speed. To return to a set speed • Press =. For = to operate, the vehicle speed must be faster than 48 km/h (30 mph). OVERHEAD CONTROLS Interior lamps - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 94
sunroof can be operated only when the ignition is switched on. To lift the rear of the sunroof With the sunroof closed, press the rear part of the control. Press the front part of the control to lower the sunroof. To open and close the sunroof To open the sunroof, press the rear - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 95
's side mirror, counterclockwise to adjust the passenger side mirror. Adjust the selected mirror by moving the center control in the desired direction. Then turn the control back to the center position. Heated mirrors (if equipped) The heated mirrors are activated by turning on the rear window - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 96
the power windows at each door position. Both windows can be controlled from the control on the driver's door. The passenger's door window can be operated individually with a separate door control. One touch down The driver's door can be lowered automatically. Momentarily press the down button - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 97
Controls and features Positive retention floor mat (Driver's side only) Position install. Adjust the floor mat position to allow proper operation of accelerator pedal, brake pedal and clutch pedal (if equipped). To remove, lift the floor mat just forward of the retention post and rotate it rearward - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 98
compartment lock has one locking position. Remote luggage compartment control Push the control located under the instrument panel by the driver's door to open the luggage compartment. To open the luggage compartment at least one door must be unlocked. Interior luggage compartment release Your - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 99
Controls and features To open the luggage compartment door (lid) from the inside, pull the illuminated T" shaped handle and push open the door (lid). The material that the handle is made of will glow in the darkness of the luggage compartment following brief exposure to ambient light. The T" - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 100
Controls and features On hot days, the temperature in the trunk can rise very quickly. particulary at risk. Closing the liftgate To avoid injury to rear seat occupants when closing the liftgate, ensure that the head of any rear seat occupant is not in the path of the closing liftgate. Request that - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 101
Controls and features Cargo cover Do not place objects on the cargo cover. Removing the cargo cover First, detach the lifting straps on the liftgate. Then pull it out horizontally without tilting it. Replacing the cargo cover Insert the cover horizontally, align it and push in as far as the stop. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 102
without using a key. The remote also has a panic alarm feature. The remote entry feature only operates with the ignition in the off position. Locking the doors Press the control. To signal that the doors are locked, the turn signal lamps will flash once. This signal will only occur if the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 103
compartment Press the control. Sounding the panic alarm Press the control. The horn will sound and the direction indicators will flash for approximately two minutes. To deactivate the alarm, press the control again or turn the ignition key to the on position. Replacing the battery The transmitter - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 104
Controls and features To replace the battery: 1. Twist a thin coin between the two halves of the transmitter. Do not take the front part of the transmitter apart. 2. Remove the old battery. 3. Place the positive (+) side of the new battery down. 4. Snap the two halves of the transmitter back - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 105
the control once. The ignition key must be removed from the ignition and the doors, hood and liftgate fully closed, to allow activation. The turn signal lamps will flash once to indicate the system is activated. If the lamps do not flash once, the system is not activated. Alarm Opening any door, the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 106
the engine from being started unless a coded key is used. Automatic arming The system is armed five seconds after switching off the ignition. The armed status is indicated when the control light flashes every two seconds. The light is located on the dashboard above the climate controls. Automatic - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 107
irregular intervals, the system did not recognize the key code. Remove the key and try again. If the control light illuminates continuously for approximately one minute and then flashes repeatedly at irregular intervals, a system malfunction has occurred. Have the malfunction repaired by your dealer - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 108
1 and remove from the ignition switch within 5 seconds - the key coding mode is now activated. • If an uncoded key is now inserted in the ignition switch and turned to position 3 within 10 seconds, this key is coded to the system. If coding is not completed correctly, the control light flashes after - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 109
Seating and safety restraints HEAD RESTRAINTS Adjusting the head restraints If your vehicle is equipped with adjustable in the collar around the stem and raise or lower the head restraint to the desired height. SEATING Manually adjusting the seats Pull the lever located under the front edge of the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 110
the lever on the outside of the seat to recline the seat. Pull the lever on the outside of the seatback to lean the seatback forward. Fold back the seatback until it locks with a distinct `click' and slide the seat backwards until it locks in position. Rock the seat to ensure that the catch is - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 111
seats (if equipped) The controls are located on the left front corner of the seat. Move the relevant control in the respective direction to adjust the seat, seatback and lumbar as follows: Seat (1) Forward and backward (2) Height of the entire seat Seatback (3) Seatback inclination Lumbar support - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 112
release knob located in the luggage compartment. Fold down the seat. To raise the rear seatback, push the seatback upward until it locks in place. Make sure it is firmly latched by pushing forward and back on it. Check to see that the seat and seatback are latched securely in position. Keep luggage - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 113
vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their safety belt, even when the air bag SRS is provided. It is extremely dangerous to ride in is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. Reclining the seatback - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 114
of a collision resulting in the deployment of the front air bags, the front safety belts must be replaced. Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat and always use appropriate child restraints. This vehicle has a seat belt system with an energy management feature at the front - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 115
retractor assembly is required to be replaced, or the seat belt assembly automatic locking retractor" feature or any other seat belt function is not operating properly when checked according to the procedures in the Service Manual. Failure to replace the Belt and Retractor assembly could increase - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 116
. Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode The vehicle sensitive mode is the normal retractor mode which locks the belts in response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly, turns a corner sharply or your vehicle receives an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the combination - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 117
Seating and safety restraints Automatic locking mode In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically prelocked. The belt will still react to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver's safety belt. When to use the automatic locking mode • When - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 118
of injury in a collision. To lower the height of the shoulder belt: 1. Push the release control lever down. 2. Slide the seat belt loop down. To raise the height of the shoulder belt: 1. Slide the seat belt loop upwards. 2. Pull down on the seat belt loop to make sure that it is locked in place. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 119
Seating and safety restraints Safety belt warning light and warning chime Illuminates in the instrument cluster and a chime sounds to remind the driver to fasten his or her safety belt. Conditions of operation If...If the driver's safety belt is not buckled before the ignition key is turned to on... - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 120
speed has exceeded 5 km/h (3 mph). If...If the driver's safety belt is not buckled approximately 5 seconds after the safety belt warning light has turned off ...Then...The Belt Minder feature is activated - the Safety belt warning light illuminates and the warning chime sounds for 6 seconds every 30 - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 121
properly, reduce risk of death to front seat occupants by 45% in cars, and by 60% in light trucks. Nearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in singleĆvehicle crashes, many when no other vehicles are around. I'm not going far" Belts are uncomfortable" I was in a hurry" Seat belts don't work" Traffic is - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 122
Seating and safety restraints Reasons given...Belts wrinkle my clothes" Consider...Possibly, but a . Children and younger brothers/sisters imitate behavior they see. Air bags offer greater protection when used with safety belts. Frontal airbags are not designed to inflate in rear and side crashes - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 123
programming procedure. The Belt Minder feature can be deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure: Before following the procedure, make sure that: • the parking brake is set. • the gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or the neutral position (manual transaxle). • the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 124
Minder feature while driving the vehicle. 1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (DO NOT START THE ENGINE). 2. Wait until the Safety belt warning light turns off (approximately 1Ć2 minutes). • Steps 3-5 must be completed within 60 seconds or the procedure will have to be repeated. 3. Buckle - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 125
second for three seconds. 8. Confirmation of enabling Belt Minder is provided by flashing the Safety belt light four times per second for three seconds, followed by three seconds with the Safety belt light off, then followed by flashing the Safety belt light four times per second for three seconds - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 126
fit of the shoulder belt across the torso. Safety belt maintenance Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure there are no nicks, wears or cuts and replace if necessary. All safety belt assemblies, including - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 127
noted. Due to the energy management feature on the front safety belts, the safety belts MUST be replaced after any collision causing the deployment of the front air bags. Failure to inspect and, if necessary, replace the safety belt assembly under the above conditions could result in severe personal - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 128
Seating and safety restraints AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) The supplemental restraint system is designed to work with the safety belt to help protect the driver and right front passenger from certain upper body injuries. Air bags DO NOT inflate slowly or gently and the risk of injury - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 129
Placing objects on or over the air bag inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the air bag into your face and torso causing serious injury. Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or LincolnĆMercury dealer. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 130
to follow these instructions may increase the risk of injury in a collision. Air bags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. NEVER place a rearĆfacing child seat in front of an active air bag. If you must use a forwardĆfacing child seat in the front seat, move the seat all the way back. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 131
Seating and safety restraints How does the front air bag system work? The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains sufficient longitudinal deceleration to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit that initiates air bag inflation. The fact that the air bags did not - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 132
from the air bag module as possible while maintaining vehicle control. Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation. If the air bag is inflated, the air bag will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the air bag is not replaced, the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 133
Seating and safety restraints The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air bag back up power and the air bag ignitors. Determining if the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 134
from the side of the seatback. Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or LincolnĆMercury dealer. All occupants of the vehicle including the driver should always wear their safety belts even when an air bag SRS is provided. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 135
and safety restraints How does the side air bag system work? (if equipped) Side air bags, in combination with seat belts, can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision. The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the front - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 136
and safety restraints If the air bag has deployed, the air bag will not function again. The side air bag system (including the seat) must be inspected and serviced by a qualified technician in accordance with the vehicle service manual. If the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 137
of the system. Refer to the Air bag readiness section in the Instrumentation chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not required. A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: • The readiness light will either flash or stay lit. • The readiness light will not - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 138
when properly restrained in the rear seats. Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets unattended in your vehicle. Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you place a child - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 139
lbs] or less), you must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific instructions and warnings that come with any infant or child restraint you might use. Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 140
are too large for child safety seats (as specified by the child safety seat manufacturer) should always wear safety belts. Follow all the important safety restraints and air bag precautions that apply to adult passengers in your vehicle. If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 141
. The best fit can be obtained with a child safety seat that has a base wide enough to span the depression of the rear seat so that it rests on the highest part of the seat cushion. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 142
the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button, to prevent accidental unbuckling. • Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. Refer to Using automatic locking mode in this chapter. Ford recommends the use of - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 143
1. Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt. Ford recommends that you properly secure children in the rear seat whenever possible. If you must use a forwardĆfacing child seat in the front seat, move the passenger seat as far back from the instrument panel as - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 144
3. While holding the shoulder and lap belt portions together, route the tongue through the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer's instructions. Be sure the belt webbing is not twisted. 4. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle for that seating position until you hear and feel - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 145
child seat. 8. Allow the safety belt to retract to remove any slack in the belt. 9. Before placing the child in the seat, forcibly tilt the seat forward and back to make sure the seat is securely held in place. 10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is in automatic - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 146
that include a tether strap which goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of the child seat for information about ordering a tether strap. Your vehicle is equipped with builtĆin - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 147
and safety restraints 1. Position the child safety seat on the rear passenger seat cushion. 2. Route the child safety seat tether strap over the back of the seat. For vehicles with moveable head restraints, route the tether strap under the head restraint and between the head restraint posts if - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 148
the tether strap is fastened securely. Also, test the safety seat before you place the child in it. Tilt the seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if the belts hold the seat in place. If the child safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child being - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 149
PRECAUTIONS A computer system controls the engine's idle revolutions per minute (rpm). When the engine starts, the idle rpm runs faster to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician. Do not - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 150
more instructions. IMPORTANT VENTILATION INFORMATION If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped in an open area for long periods of time, open the windows at least 2.5 cm (1 inch). Adjust the heating or air conditioning to bring in fresh air. Refer to climate controls in the Controls and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 151
Starting Improve vehicle ventilation by keeping all air inlet vents clear of snow, leaves and other and could kill you. Have the exhaust and body ventilation system checked whenever: • the vehicle is raised for service. • the sound of the exhaust system changes. • the vehicle has been damaged in - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 152
the engine in this chapter. Before starting the vehicle: 1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter. 2. Make sure the headlamps and vehicle accessories are - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 153
key to start). Make sure the following lights illuminate: charging system (if equipped), low coolant, engine oil pressure, check engine, air bag readiness, traction control, brake system, ABS, and safety belt. If a light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer or a qualified - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 154
the 2.0 l engine: If the engine fails to start, continue to crank with the accelerator depressed about 1/4 of the way down and hold that position until the engine starts. DO NOT crank for more than 30 seconds or you could damage the starter. 4. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 155
BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED) An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves starting, warms up the engine faster and allows the heaterĆdefroster system to respond quickly. It is strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach -23ºC (-10ºF) or below. For best - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 156
the Scheduled Maintenance Guide" for maintenance intervals. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) (if equipped) On vehicles equipped with an antiĆlock braking system (ABS), a noise from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 157
vehicle to a stop. • We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks. 1. Apply full force on both brake and clutch pedals (if equipped). 2. Steer around the obstacle. No matter how hard you brake, steering control is maintained. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 158
. 2. Press and hold the release button. 3. Push handle downward to the off position. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or in 1 (first) (manual transaxle). To prevent personal injury, do not release the parking - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 159
by automatically applying and releasing the brakes in conjunction with engine torque reductions. This can occur when accelerating on a slippery road, a loose surface or when pulling away on a hill. The traction control lamp flashes when the system is functioning to regulate tire traction. The light - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 160
effort needed to steer your vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have the power steering checked. If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually but it takes more effort. Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or left - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 161
1. Start the engine. 2. Depress and hold the brake pedal. 3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park). Overriding the brake-shift interlock feature If Park) with the brake pedal depressed: 1. Turn the ignition off and remove the ignition key. 2. Apply the parking brake and the brake pedal. 3. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 162
hold the thumb button and move the gearshift. 6. Remove the screwdriver when the gearshift moves from the P (Park) position. This procedure may have to be repeated each time the gearshift is placed in park until repairs are completed. The brakeĆshift interlock feature is designed to further enhance - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 163
l V6 automatic transaxle electronically controls the shift feel by using an adaptive learning strategy. During the first few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation, it is normal for your transaxle to adjust. The adaptive learning strategy is maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 164
Drive (Drive) - O/D off illuminated Activate by pressing the transaxle control switch on the underside of the gearshift lever. The transaxle operates in gears one through three. D (Drive) provides more engine braking than overdrive and is useful whenever driving conditions (i.e., city traffic, hilly - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 165
Deactivate D (Overdrive) when: • driving with a heavy load. • towing a trailer up or down steep hills. • additional engine braking is desired. To return to D (Overdrive) mode, press the transaxle control switch. The O/D OFF message in the instrument cluster will extinguish. Every time the vehicle is - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 166
transaxle have a starter interlock that prevents cranking the engine unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed. Using the clutch When starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle: 1. Hold down the brake pedal. 2. Depress the clutch pedal. 3. Put the gearshift lever in neutral. 4. Start the vehicle - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 167
third Third to fourth Fourth to fifth During acceleration: km/h 22 40 53 77 mph 14 25 33 48 During cruise*: km/h 19 32 46 64 mph 12 20 29 40 2.5 litre engine 5-speed transaxle shift speed schedules Recommended upshifts: Shift from First to second Second to third Third to fourth Fourth - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 168
your vehicle in neutral, it may move unexpectedly and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake. Reverse To shift into R (Reverse): 1. Completely stop your vehicle. 2. Depress the clutch pedal to the floor and place the gearshift lever in the neutral position. Do not release the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 169
terms. Base curb weight Weight of the vehicle including any standard equipment, fluids and lubricants. It does not include passengers or aftermarket equipment. Payload Combined maximum allowable weight of passengers, cargo and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight rating - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 170
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on the driver's door pillar. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Carrying capacity for each axle system (front and rear). The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety Compliance Certification - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 171
capacities than the originals because they might lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR. (Replacement tires with a higher weight limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.) In high altitudes, engines will lose power at a rate of 3% power per 300 m (1 000 ft) increase in - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 172
or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. Driving with a heavy load The total weight of the vehicle plus the total weight of passengers and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 173
000 lbs) gross trailer weight with a maximum tongue load of 45 kg (100 lbs). Cougar S vehicles are not approved for trailer towing. It should also have 2.3 sq. meters Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealers. Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle's engine, transaxle, axle, brakes, tires, and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 174
chapter. • Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the severe duty schedule in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide". • Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km (500 miles). • Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 175
trailer weight could result in engine damage, transaxle damage, structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury. Preparing to require assistance. Auxiliary coolers are recommended for the power steering system and automatic transaxle system if you are planning on: • Traveling farther than - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 176
your local trailer retailer or rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking up trailer lamps. Do not hook the trailer lamps directly into the vehicle's wiring system. If the trailer lamps are not working properly, the warning lights in the instrument cluster may not work properly. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 177
trailer brakes Use electric brakes or manual, automatic or surge type hydraulic brakes that meet federal and local regulations. Install and adjust brakes according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your vehicle's brake system. Your - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 178
grades. If driving with an automatic transaxle: • Use D (Drive) or a low gear rather than D (Overdrive) while towing up or down steep inclines. • Anticipate stops and brake gradually. If driving with a manual transaxle: • Select a gear that avoids jerking or excessive engine speed. • Avoid driving - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 179
, • driving with the brake pedal depressed, • sudden stops, • extended engine idling, • use of speed control in hilly terrain, • extended use of the air conditioner, defroster, rear window defroster and other accessories, • underinflated tires, • heavy loads, • aftermarket addĆons such as bike - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 180
Roadside emergencies HAZARD FLASHER CONTROL Use only in an emergency to warn traffic of vehicle breakdown or approaching danger. Depress to activate. Depress again to switch off. The hazard lights can be operated when the ignition is off. FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH If the engine cranks, but does not - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 181
the local fire department or a towing service. If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or substantial jolt: 1. Turn the ignition key to the off position. 2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel. 3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red reset button down. If the button - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 182
start a fire. Even after a fuse is replaced, it will continue to blow if the cause of the overload is not identified and corrected. If the fuse continues to blow, have the vehicle's electrical system checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician. The passenger compartment fuse panel is - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 183
or a relay, remove the cover of the fuse box in the engine compartment by releasing the latch (1) and lifting up. A blown fuse can be identified by a break in the wire. All fuses are a push fit. Always replace the cover to the Power Distribution Box before reconnecting the battery or refilling fluid - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 184
brown brown brown blue blue green yellow yellow yellow yellow Description Not used Alternator Fog lamps Heated seats Not used Engine management Hazard lamps, horn, multifunction switch Not used Fuel pump Not used Day time running light (Canada only) Not used HEGO sensors Not used Right low beam Left - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 185
green green black black Description Fuel pump Engine management Air conditioning Low beam High beam Horn Starter High speed engine cooling fan Engine cooling fan Not used Daytime running lights (Canada only) Starter relay Air conditioning Passenger compartment fuse panel To check or replace a fuse - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 186
in the wire. All fuses are a push fit. Relays in the passenger compartment fuse panel (below instrument panel) Relay R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 D2 Color brown green green green black black Description Courtesy lamps Rear window defrost Blower motor Front wiper Ignition Reverse voltage protection - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 187
ABS/TCS Turn signal lamps, backup lamps, speed control, gearshift lever, A/C clutch, blower motor Stop lamp, speed control Alarm system, locking system High beam, low beam Cigar lighter Power seats Rear window defrost Engine management, locking system, instrument cluster Panel dimmer, license plate - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 188
is on firm, level ground. Secure your vehicle further by blocking the wheels. Activate the hazard lights. Apply the parking brake and engage first or reverse gear or, if the vehicle has an automatic transaxle, select the P (Park) position. If parking on a slope is unavoidable, block the wheels - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 189
use only. Vehicles with traction control (if equipped) may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics which can be avoided by switching the system off. Drive cautiously and replace the temporary spare tire as soon chains on this type of wheel. • Do not drive through an automatic car wash. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 190
Roadside emergencies Spare tire location The spare tire and tools are located under the floor cover in the luggage compartment. Removing the spare tire and tools 1. Raise the rear of the floor cover in the luggage compartment and fold it forward. 2. Completely unscrew the bolt. 3. Lift out the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 191
procedure Removing a tire 1. Apply the parking brake and 1 (First) gear (manual transaxle) or the P (Park) position (automatic transaxle). beneath the hub cover (if fitted) and push in. Twist off to remove the cover. 6. Loosen the wheel nuts slightly. 7. Place jack with complete support surface on - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 192
the jack by turning the handle counterclockwise. 4. Fully tighten the wheel nuts in a crosswise pattern. 5. Align the hub cover and push firmly into position with the ball of the hand. 6. Stow the jack and damaged tire in the luggage compartment by reversing the spare tire removal instructions. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 193
damage. Do not push start your vehicle. You could damage the catalytic converter. Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes, and clothing, if contacted. Do not attempt to push start your vehicle. Automatic transaxles do not have pushĆstart capability. Preparing your vehicle 1. Use - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 194
two vehicles do not touch. Set the parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving parts. 4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level. 5. Turn the heater fan - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 195
metal part of the stalled vehicle's engine, away from the battery and the carburetor. The preferred locations of an exposed metal part (to ground" the circuit) are the accessible engine mount studs or an engine lifting eye". Do not use fuel lines, engine rocker covers, or the intake manifold - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 196
Roadside emergencies Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative (-) terminal of the battery to be jump. A spark may cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery. • 2.0 litre engine • 2.5 litre engine - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 197
sure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts and other moving parts of both engines or any fuel delivery system parts. Jump starting 1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at a moderately increased speed. 2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle. 3. Once the disabled - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 198
(+) terminal of the booster vehicle's battery. 4. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the disabled vehicle's battery. After the disabled vehicle has been started and the jumper cables removed, allow it to idle for several minutes so the engine computer can relearn" its idle - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 199
a professional towing service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center. Recommended towing options include wheel lift towing or flat bed towing. When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what kind of vehicle you have. A towing manual is available from Ford Motor Company for all - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 200
brake. car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions: • Transmission is placed in N (Neutral). • Maximum speed is 50 km/h (30 mph). • Maximum distance is 50 km (30 miles). For vehicles with manual - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 201
Roadside emergencies Automatic transaxle In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions. • Transmission is placed in N - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 202
, your Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealership can provide necessary parts and service. Check your Warranty Guide to find out which parts and services are covered. Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 203
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general precautions for your safety: • Do not work on a hot engine. The cooling fan is automatic and may come on at any time. Always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery the battery and all fuel related parts. If you disconnect the battery, the engine - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 204
the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. Working with engine off (manual transaxle) 1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1 (First) or R (Reverse). 2. Turn off the engine and remove the key. 3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 205
to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is running. Working with engine on (manual transaxle) 1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in neutral. 2. Block the wheels to - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 206
retainer, ensuring it is secure. Hold the support at the yellow colored insulation section. To close, replace the support strut in its retaining clip, lower the hood and allow it to drop into the catch for the last 20 - 30 cm (8 - 12 inches). Always check to ensure that the hood lock is fully - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 207
and care 2.0 litre EFI-engine compartment Power steering reservoir Engine coolant reservoir Automatic transaxle dipstick (if equipped) Brake fluid reservoir Air cleaner Windshield washer fluid reservoir Engine oil dipstick Engine oil filler cap Battery Power distribution box For ease - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 208
and care 2.5 litre EFI-engine compartment Power steering reservoir Engine coolant reservoir Brake Automatic fluid transaxle reservoir dipstick (if equipped) Air cleaner Windshield washer fluid reservoir Engine oil dipstick Engine oil filler cap Battery Power distribution box For ease - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 209
is not covered by your warranty. Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule listed in the Scheduled maintenance guide". Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 210
and care It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine application. Checking the engine oil Check the engine oil each time you fuel your vehicle. To check the oil: 1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground. If - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 211
oil must be removed from the engine by a service technician. 7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated. Continuous contact with used motor oil has caused cancer in laboratory mice. Adding engine oil 1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer to Checking the engine oil in this - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 212
Guide" for additional information. It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine recycling center to find out more about recycling automotive fluids. Engine oil filler cap The design of the filler cap varies by engine. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 213
the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This may cause the brakes to fail. Windshield washer system If necessary, add enough washer fluid to fill the reservoir. Follow the instructions on the washer fluid container. Do not put engine coolant in the container for the windshield washer fluid. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 214
at the proper concentration and fluid level in the coolant reservoir. Your vehicle was factoryĆfilled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40 % or rises above 60 %, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly. A 50/50 - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 215
fill level is obtained. Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid container. If - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 216
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone (without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion, overheating or freezing - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 217
. These can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine coolant. • Do not mix with recycled coolant. To avoid personal injury, make sure the engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 218
above) to the MAX line on the reservoir. 6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss.) After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (see Checking engine coolant section). If the concentration is not 50/50 (protection - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 219
quart) of engine coolant per month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage. Changing engine coolant Change your engine coolant according to the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 220
less than 40 %, the corrosion protection to your engine and cooling components may be compromised and permanent damage may result. Use of recycled engine coolant Ford Motor Company does not recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally equipped with orange Extended Life - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 221
adding power steering fluid Check the power steering fluid twice a year. Switch off the engine. With the steering system at normal operating temperature, the fluid level should come up to the MAX mark. If the fluid level drops below the MIN mark, add the specified fluid. Remove the cap and fill to - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 222
Checking and adding automatic transaxle fluid Follow the scheduled service intervals outlined in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide". Your transaxle does not consume fluid. However, it is recommended that you refer to your "Scheduled Maintenance Guide" for scheduled intervals for fluid checks checking. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 223
engine running. 5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it with a clean, dry lint free rag. 6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube. 7. Remove of the dipstick. Correct fluid level The transaxle fluid level should be checked at normal operating temperatures 66º C - 77º C (150º - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 224
can be caused by an overheating condition, see note. Adjusting automatic transaxle fluid levels Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct the level is correct. If an overfill occurs, excess fluid should be removed by a qualified technician. An overfill condition of transaxle fluid may cause - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 225
its life of service. However, for severe service usage or in high temperature climates, refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide" for additional information. Keep the electrolyte in each cell up to the level" indicator. Do not overfill the battery cell. For longer, troubleĆfree operation, keep - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 226
be replaced with a Motorcraft service battery, identical in design technology. Like the original equipment battery, it should not require water addition during its normal life of service; however, for severe service usage or in high temperature climates, refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 227
flames, sparks or lighted substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery, always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper ventilation. Follow these steps to minimize risk of personal injury. Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 228
is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the computer must relearn" its idle conditions before your vehicle can drive properly. To begin this process: 1. Put the automatic transaxle gearshift in P (Park). Put the manual transaxle gearshift in neutral. 2. Turn off all accessories and start the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 229
Checking wiper blades Check Cabin air filter replacement In your climate control system, you have a filter that cleans the air before it enters the interior of the vehicle. This filter should be replaced at the intervals in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide". To replace the cabin air filter: 1. Remove - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 230
and remove the grille. 4. The filter is in a housing at the back of the engine compartment, on the left side. Pull off the two clips on the sides of the housing. Slide out the housing and filter. 5. Slide the filter out of the housing, replace with the new filter and slide the housing and cabin air - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 231
. Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winterĆtype snow tires, space inches or limited production tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulation Part 575.104(c)(2). U.S. Department of TransportationĆTire quality grades: - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 232
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and differences in road characteristics and climate. straightĆahead braking traction tests, and does not - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 233
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 234
than 5 km ( 3 miles). Inflate the tires as necessary. To check the tire pressure, insert the tire pressure gauge into the valve. The cold pressure amount is listed on the tire instruction decal located on the passenger's door. Improperly inflated tires affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 235
other tire will lead to a deterioration of the vehicle functionality and performance. When replacing full size tires, never mix radial, biasĆbelted, or biasĆtype tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed rating, and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 236
environmental regulations. Refer to the tire instruction decal to determine the specific size tire and wheel Ford Motor Company recommends for use on this vehicle. When purchasing replacement tires for your vehicle, consult your dealer or a qualified service technician to ensure that the correct - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 237
may cause damage to steering, suspension, and body components. Follow these guidelines when using snow tires: • If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle. • The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using snow - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 238
in the fuel tank can damage the fuel system or cause it to work improperly in a collision. The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before completely removing the cap. Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 239
the fuel cap is correctly fitted after fueling. Failure to do so may cause the on board diagnostic system to illuminate the light. • Automotive the skin, promptly remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. • If fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 240
law and could damage your vehicle. The damage may not be covered by your warranty. Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel containing your engine will perform adequately on other gasolines, the performance of the emission control devices and systems may be adversely affected. Repair of damage - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 241
For Cougar S vehicles, please use premium gasoline with an octane rating of 91. Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily under most driving conditions on the recommended octane, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to prevent any engine - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 242
system. Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your warranty. Many of the world's automakers issued the WorldĆwide Fuel Charter that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved performance and emission control system protection - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 243
the filler pipe. 5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops. If the "check engine" indicator comes on and stays on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap and reinstall it being careful to align - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 244
Maintenance and care If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with an authorized Motorcraft part. The customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used. The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 245
and care EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic converter and other emission control components continue - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 246
replacements or for service of components affecting emissions control, such nonĆFord parts should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability. Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 247
, repairs, services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 248
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with the check engine" light on. If the vehicle's powertrain system or battery has just been serviced, the OBĆII system is reset to a not ready for I/M test" condition. To ready the OBDĆII system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 249
beam, turn signals and side lamps are housed in the lamp assembly. To replace a bulb, the complete lamp assembly has to be removed as follows: 1. Switch off the lamps. 2. Open the hood. 3. Remove the center cover. 4. Remove the screw (1) on both ends of the radiator grille and pull out the radiator - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 250
care Front turn signal Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and pull it out. Pull the bulb out and replace it (1). Turn the socket counterclockwise and pull it out. Pull the bulb out and replace it (2). Opening the headlamp assembly Release the wire clip on the rear of the headlamp assembly and - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 251
beam Disconnect the electrical connector, turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and replace it. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb and pay attention to the tab guides when replacing. Headlamps - high beam Replacement instructions are the same as for the low beam headlamp. Parking lamps Pull - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 252
Maintenance and care Headlamp alignment Check the headlamp alignment after each replacement of a bulb. Refer to Aiming the headlamps in this chapter. connectors must be correctly connected. Install in the reverse order of removal. Foglamps (if equipped) Have these lamps replaced by a Ford Dealer. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 253
the bulb out and replace it. Brake/turn signal/tail/backup lamps 1. From the trunk, remove the carpet cover from the lamp assembly. 2. Remove the three retainer nuts and pull the lamp assembly out. 3. Turn the bulb counterclockwise and pull it out. 4. Replace the defective bulb. Parking lamps Turn - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 254
bulb out and replace it. Luggage compartment lamp Pry out the light assembly from the holder with a flat blade screwdriver. Turn the spherical bulb under slight pressure counterclockwise and remove. High mounted brake lamp Remove the push pins and cover from the liftgate. To remove the push pins - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 255
assembly. The bulbs can be replaced after the contact plate has been hinged back. Bulb specifications Function Front / turn lamp Headlamp (high) Headlamp (low) Side marker lamp Parking lamp Foglamp Rear tail/turn/brake lamp Backup lamp HighĆmounted brake - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 256
both adjusting screws are turned by an equal number of revolutions or parts of revolutions and are turned as well in the same direction. Turn Failing this requirement leads to improperly aimed headlamps and may cause glare light for oncoming drivers. For example, if one of your low beam headlamps - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 257
and the dark upper portion of each lamp's light pattern. (Fig. 1). Adjusting the vertical aim 1. The surrounding light level during the aiming process must be kept as front of the screen is also required. 3. Center the vehicle 7.6 meters in front of this screen (Figs. 3 and 4). 4. Measure the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 258
Maintenance and care Height of low beam lamp bulb center 52 mm 7.6 meters Height of reference line on wall 5. Turn on the low beam headlamps. Notice that both the driver's side lamp and the passenger's side lamp create similar light patterns on the wall (see Fig. 1). If the left side of the cut - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 259
CARE Washing your vehicle Only use car washing areas that have environmentally friendly drainage systems. Wash your vehicle regularly with cold or lukewarm water. Never use strong detergents or soap. If your vehicle is particularly dirty, use a quality car wash detergent. Always use a clean sponge - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 260
they also cause damage to the vehicle. Remove or lower any exterior accessories before entering a car wash. Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately. After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them. Waxing - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 261
from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line. Please note that the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with your vehicle's specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on the products. Cleaning the wheels Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to clean the body of your vehicle - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 262
. The high pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage. • Do not spray with cold water as this may crack the engine block. • Cover the alternator and battery to prevent water damage when cleaning the engine. • Do not spray water directly on the ABS modulator. • Never wash or - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 263
Use a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning of plastic. Clean with a tar remover if necessary. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or petroleumĆbased cleaners. Cleaning the exterior lamps Wash the exterior lamps with the same detergent you use to wash the exterior - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 264
Dealer. This mild cleaner and special pad cleans the leather and maintains its natural beauty. Follow the instructions on the cleaner label. Regular cleaning of your leather upholstery helps maintain its resiliency and color. Cleaning seats equipped with side air bags Remove dust and loose dirt with - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 265
and warm water. Do not bleach or dye the belts, because these actions may weaken the belt webbing. Check the safety belt system periodically to make sure there are no nicks, wear or cuts. Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware should be inspected by a qualified - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 266
Control Information (VECI) decal for spark plug and gap specifications. ** If a spark plug is removed for examination, it must be reinstalled in the same cylinder. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part number suffix letter FE" as shown on the engine decal - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 267
qts) NA 6.6 l (7.0 qts)* 2.5 litre engine 5.5 l (5.8 qts) 5.0 l (5.3 qts) 9.6 l (10.2 qts) Fill to MAX mark 9.5 l (10.0 qts)* 9.7 l (10.2 qts)** Manual transaxle Automatic transaxle Power steering Cooling system with heating Windshield washer fluid Fuel tank Braking system * ** Total capacity with - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 268
ATF UltraĆClear Windshield Washer Concentrate F6AZĆ19544ĆAA Engine coolant (orange) Engine oil Power steering fluid Transaxle fluid automatic Transaxle fluid 5Ćspeed manual Windshield washer fluid XOĆ5W20ĆQSP XTĆ2ĆQDX XTĆ2ĆQDX XTĆ2ĆQDX C9AZĆ19550ĆAC or C9AZĆ19550ĆBC MERCON MERCON MERCON ESR - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 269
Cubic capacity Power output Max torque Fuel grade Continuous engine speed Max. intermittent engine speed Idle speed (manual transaxle) Mixture preparation Firing order Spark plug gap Ignition system Valve clearance (cold) * Mechanical valve adjuster 2.0 litre engine cm3 kW(HP) at rpm Nm (lbĆft.) at - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 270
Capacities and specifications Dimensions A = Overall length B = Overall width (without mirrors) C = Overall height (curb weight) D = Wheelbase E = Track front rear mm (inches) 4720 (186) 1769 (69.6) 1325 (52.2) 2704 (106.5) 1506 (59.3) 1491 (58.7) - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 271
Capacities and specifications VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER The vehicle identification number (VIN) is attached to a metal tag and is located on the front driver's side of the instrument panel. The VIN tag may be seen by looking through the windshield from the outside of the vehicle. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 272
from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty . The service is available: • 24Ćhours, seven days Ford Auto Club by contacting your Ford or LincolnĆMercury dealer. Roadside assistance will cover • Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is mailed to you if you own a Mercury or - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 273
your new car or light truck by purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in Canada). It provides: • Protection against repair costs after - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 274
your concern will be resolved at this level. Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada dealerships also carry genuine Ford parts and accessories, providing you with original equipment reliability. Away from home If you are away from home when your vehicle needs service, or if you need more help than the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 275
pursuing replacement or service without notice and without incurring obligations per applicable state law. What kinds of cases does the Board review? Unresolved warranty repair concerns or vehicle performance as designed concerns on Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and Ford, Mercury and Lincoln light - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 276
repairs or concerns with the vehicle's performance as designed • a request for reimbursement of consequential expenses unless a service or product concern is being reviewed • items not covered and LincolnĆMercury dealership management, Motor Company representative will be asked to submit statements. - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 277
date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of occurrence(s) • the current mileage • the name of the dealer(s) who sold or serviced the vehicle • a brief description of your unresolved concern • a brief summary of the action taken by the dealer(s) and Ford Motor Company • - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 278
Ćrelated vehicle service concern have been unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in an impartial third party mediation/arbitration program administered by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) The CAMVAP program is a straight forward and relatively speedy alternative to resolve - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 279
office. The use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without proper conversion may damage the effectiveness of your emission control system and may cause engine knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor Company/Ford of Canada is not responsible for any damage caused by use of improper fuel. In the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 280
is made from high quality materials and meets or exceeds Ford's rigid engineering and safety specifications. Ford accessories are warranted for up to 12 months or 20,000 km (12,000 miles) on all cars and light trucks and 12 months with unlimited distance on medium/heavy duty trucks unless the - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 281
Manual sliding rear window Tire step Travel equipment Console Console armrest Daytime running lights Factory luggage rack Factory luggage rack adapters Fog lights Framed luggage covers HeavyĆduty battery Neutral towing transfer case kit (Explorer 4.0L only) Off road lights Pickup box rails Removable - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 282
and appearance equipment Air bag antiĆtheft locks Bed mat/bedliner tailgate covers Bed mats Bedliners Car/truck covers Cargo liners, interior Carpet floor mats Cleaners, waxes and polishes Flat splash guards Frond end covers (full and mini) Hood deflectors Locking gas cap Lubricants and oils - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 283
engine to stumble or stall. In addition, such systems may be damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door LITERATURE To order the publications in this portfolio: Make checks payable to: HELM,INCORPORATED P.O. Box 07150 Detroit, - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 284
if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer or Ford Motor Company . To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline tollĆfree at 1Ć800 - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 285
Brakes ...156 BreakĆin period ...3 Bulb replacement ...249 Bulb specifications ...255 C Cabin air filter ...34, 229, 266 Capacities ...267 Car care products ...280 Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . 245 Cargo cover ...101 Catalytic converter ...10, 245 Charging system warning light . 13 Check engine light - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 286
system, remote ...102 Exhaust fumes ...151 F FlashĆtoĆpass ...88 Flasher, hazard ...86, 180 Flashing the lights ...88 Floor mat ...97 Floor mounted controls ...96 Foglamps ...11, 25 Foglamps, replacing bulbs ...252 Frost warning light ...22 Fuel consumption ...179 Fuel filler cap ...243 Fuel filter - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 287
...86, 180 Head restraints ...109 Headlamp aiming ...256 Headlamp control ...24 Headlamps on warning chime . . 17 Headlamps, aiming ...252 Headlamps, replacing bulbs . . 249 High beams ...12, 88 High mounted brake lamp ...254 Hood, opening ...206 Horn ...86 I Icons ...2 Idle speed ...269 Idle - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 288
Mirrors ...95 Motorcraft parts ...266 N National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ...284 O Octane rating ...241 Odometer ...19 Oil filter ...266 On board diagnostic (OBDĆII) system ...248 OnĆboard diagnostic ...8 Overdrive ...15, 164 Overhead controls ...93 Overhead warning lights ...21 Owner - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 289
Index P Page R Page Panel dimmer control ...25 Panic alarm ...103 Parking brake ...96, 158 Parking lamps, replacing bulbs ...251, 253 Parts ...266 Passenger compartment fuse panel ...185 Passive antiĆtheft system (PATS) ...106 Payload ...169, 171 PCV valve ...266 Power distribution box ...183 Power - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 290
...199, 200 Traction control light ...12 Traction control system 12, 28, 159 Trailer towing ...173 Transaxle ...160 Transaxle, automatic ...267, 268 Transaxle, manual ...267, 268 Trip computer ...26 Trip odometer ...19 Trunk. See Luggage compartment Turn signal, replacing front bulbs ...250 Turn - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 291
your vehicle ...150 Vents ...29 W Washer fluid warning light ...23 Washing your vehicle ...259 Waxing your vehicle ...260 Weight limits ...169 Wheels, inspection and maintenance ...234, 261 Windows ...96 Windshield washer system ...213 Windshield wipers and washer . 88 Wiper blades ...229 - 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 292
- 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 293
- 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 294
- 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 295
- 2001 Mercury Cougar | Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 296
Fuel filler location UNLEADED FUEL ONLY Octane 87 (Cougar S: Octane 91) 58.5 litres (15.4 gallons) Use Super Premium SAE 5WĆ20 Motor Oil or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSSĆM2C153ĆH Refer to the tire instruction decal on the passenger's door Pull handle under the left side of the instrument
-
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
-
14
-
15
-
16
-
17
-
18
-
19
-
20
-
21
-
22
-
23
-
24
-
25
-
26
-
27
-
28
-
29
-
30
-
31
-
32
-
33
-
34
-
35
-
36
-
37
-
38
-
39
-
40
-
41
-
42
-
43
-
44
-
45
-
46
-
47
-
48
-
49
-
50
-
51
-
52
-
53
-
54
-
55
-
56
-
57
-
58
-
59
-
60
-
61
-
62
-
63
-
64
-
65
-
66
-
67
-
68
-
69
-
70
-
71
-
72
-
73
-
74
-
75
-
76
-
77
-
78
-
79
-
80
-
81
-
82
-
83
-
84
-
85
-
86
-
87
-
88
-
89
-
90
-
91
-
92
-
93
-
94
-
95
-
96
-
97
-
98
-
99
-
100
-
101
-
102
-
103
-
104
-
105
-
106
-
107
-
108
-
109
-
110
-
111
-
112
-
113
-
114
-
115
-
116
-
117
-
118
-
119
-
120
-
121
-
122
-
123
-
124
-
125
-
126
-
127
-
128
-
129
-
130
-
131
-
132
-
133
-
134
-
135
-
136
-
137
-
138
-
139
-
140
-
141
-
142
-
143
-
144
-
145
-
146
-
147
-
148
-
149
-
150
-
151
-
152
-
153
-
154
-
155
-
156
-
157
-
158
-
159
-
160
-
161
-
162
-
163
-
164
-
165
-
166
-
167
-
168
-
169
-
170
-
171
-
172
-
173
-
174
-
175
-
176
-
177
-
178
-
179
-
180
-
181
-
182
-
183
-
184
-
185
-
186
-
187
-
188
-
189
-
190
-
191
-
192
-
193
-
194
-
195
-
196
-
197
-
198
-
199
-
200
-
201
-
202
-
203
-
204
-
205
-
206
-
207
-
208
-
209
-
210
-
211
-
212
-
213
-
214
-
215
-
216
-
217
-
218
-
219
-
220
-
221
-
222
-
223
-
224
-
225
-
226
-
227
-
228
-
229
-
230
-
231
-
232
-
233
-
234
-
235
-
236
-
237
-
238
-
239
-
240
-
241
-
242
-
243
-
244
-
245
-
246
-
247
-
248
-
249
-
250
-
251
-
252
-
253
-
254
-
255
-
256
-
257
-
258
-
259
-
260
-
261
-
262
-
263
-
264
-
265
-
266
-
267
-
268
-
269
-
270
-
271
-
272
-
273
-
274
-
275
-
276
-
277
-
278
-
279
-
280
-
281
-
282
-
283
-
284
-
285
-
286
-
287
-
288
-
289
-
290
-
291
-
292
-
293
-
294
-
295
-
296
 |
 |
Introduction
2
Instrumentation
6
Controls and features
24
Seating and safety restraints
109
Starting
149
Driving
156
Roadside
emergencies
180
Maintenance and care
202
Capacities and specifications
266
Customer assistance
272
Reporting safety defects (U. S. only)
284
Index
285
Contents
Before driving
Starting and driving
Servicing
All rights
reserved.
Reproduction
by
any
means, electronic or
mechanical
including
photocopying,
recording
or
by
any
information
storage and
retrieval
system
or
translation
in
whole
or
part
is not
permitted
without
written
authorization
from
Ford
Motor
Company.
Ford
may
change
the
contents
without
notice
and
without
incurring
obligation.
Copyright
E
2000
Ford
Motor
Company