2002 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual - Page 126
2002 Mercury Cougar Manual
Page 126 highlights
Driving When starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle: 1. Hold down the brake pedal and clutch pedal. 2. Put the gearshift lever in neutral. 3. Start the vehicle. 4. Put the gearshift lever in 1 (First) or R (Reverse). 5. Release the clutch slowly while pressing gradually down on the accelerator pedal. Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do not use the clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life. Recommended shift speeds Upshift according to the following charts for best fuel economy: 2.0L engine 5-speed transaxle shift speed schedules Recommended During acceleration: During cruise*: upshifts: Shift from: km/h mph km/h mph First to second 22 14 19 12 Second to third 40 25 32 20 Third to fourth 53 33 46 29 Fourth to fifth 77 48 64 40 *The vehicle can be shifted at lower speeds to improve fuel economy. 126