2000 Mercury Mystique Owner's Manual - Page 121

Driving Speed sensitive power steering (if equipped) The steering system is speed sensitive. This means that the steering effort is light for parking and heavier for highway driving. However, if you have to swerve around an object or another vehicle, your vehicle will have full power assist. TRANSAXLE OPERATION Automatic transaxle (if equipped) Your 2.5 l V6 automatic transaxle electronically controls the shift feel by using an adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to optimize shift smoothness. It is normal for your transaxle to adjust during the first few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation until the adaptive strategy has been learned. The adaptive learning strategy is maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the transaxle must relearn its adaptive strategy. Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation. Vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle are equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents the gearshift lever from being moved from the P (Park) position unless the brake pedal is depressed. Putting your vehicle in gear You must push the thumb button to move the gearshift to the position you choose. To operate: 1. Start the engine. 2. Depress and hold the brake pedal. 3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park). 121