1997 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual - Page 204

Opening the Hood 1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release located under the lower left corner of the instrument panel. Go around to the front of the vehicle, and release the auxiliary catch that is located under the front edge of the hood at the center of the vehicle. 2. The auxiliary catch under the front edge of the hood 3. Lift the hood until the counterbalanced hinges hold it open. Whenever you close the hood, latch it securely. NOTE: Apply lubricant to the hood latch at six-month intervals to maintain smooth and trouble-free operation. Engine Compartment Your vehicle has one of these types of engines: u a 3.8 liter SFI engine u a 4.6 liter SFI engine The following pages show diagrams of each engine type and where to find items that you should regularly service. 204