Mercury Mystique (2000 year). Manual - part 1

1

Contents

Before driving

Introduction

2

Instrumentation

6

Controls and features

22

Seating and safety restraints

74

Starting and driving

Starting

108

Driving

116

Roadside emergencies

141

Servicing

Maintenance and care

162

Capacities and specifications

223

Customer assistance

223

Reporting safety defects (U.S. only)

241

Index

242

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Introduction

2

ICONS

Indicates a warning. Read the
following section on Warnings for
a full explanation.

Indicates that vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.

We must all play our part in
protecting the environment.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps toward this
aim.

BREAKING IN YOUR VEHICLE

There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. Simply avoid
driving too fast during the first
1 600 km (1 000 miles). Vary
speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts
a chance to break in.

WARNINGS

How can you reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle, and its equipment?

In this owner’s guide, answers to
such questions are contained in
comments highlighted by the
warning triangle symbol.

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Introduction

3

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
GUIDE

The information found in this guide
was in effect at the time of
printing. Ford may change the
contents without notice and
without incurring obligation.

If possible, you should avoid hard
braking for the first 1 600 km
(1 000 miles).

From 1 600 km (1 000 miles)
onwards, you can gradually
increase the performance of your
vehicle up to the permitted
maximum speeds.

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Introduction

4

Vehicle symbol glossary

These are some of the symbols you 
may have on your vehicle.

Safety Alert

Fasten Safety Belt

Airbag - Side

Child Seat Installation 
Warning

Brake System

Brake Fluid - 
Non-Petroleum 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

Anti-Lock Brake System

Traction Control

Hazard Warning Flasher

Fuse Compartment

Windshield Wash/Wipe

Rear Window 
Defrost/Demist

Power Window Lockout

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Introduction

5

Vehicle symbol glossary

Child Safety 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 Filter

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Page 24
Rear window 
defroster control*

6

Instrumentation

Page 57
Turn signal/high beam

Page 8
Instrument cluster

Page 56
Hazard flasher
control

Page 58
Windshield
wiper/washer
control

Page 166
Hood release

Page 22, 23
Headlamp control/
Foglamp control*

Page 56
Horn

Page 55
Tilt steering
wheel lever

Page 54
Ignition switch

Page 59
Speed control*

Page 24
Traction control*

Page 25
Power mirrors*

TRACTION
CONTROL

CHECK
ENGINE

O/D
OFF

Res

Set

Acc

Coast

Off

On

E

F

  

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M

IRRORS

BRAKE

C

H

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7

Instrumentation

On various models the
appearance and location of
some items may differ from
those shown here. However,
the page references given
still apply.

OFF

LO

PNL/FLR

PANEL

A/C

FLOOR

DEF

FLR 

       DEF

MAX

A/C

HI

/

POWER

AUDIO

AM/FM

SCAN

SEEK

3

1

2

4

5

ANS

SIDE

1-2

EJECT

VOLUME

CLOCK

Page 26
Climate control system

Page 72
Anti-theft system status
indicator*

Page 34
Electronic sound system

* if equipped

Page 25
Instrument panel
dimmer switch

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Instrumentation

8

Turn signal

Flashes when the left or right turn
signal or hazard lights are
activated.

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E

F

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8

O/D
OFF

CHECK

ENGINE

BRAKE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

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BRAKE

CHECK

ENGINE

O/D
OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
LIGHTS AND CHIMES

There are two different instrument
cluster designs. The individual
warning and indicator lights are
described on the following pages.

Alternative design

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Instrumentation

9

High beams

Illuminates when the headlamp
high beams are on.

Charging system

Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. The light also illuminates
when the battery is not charging
properly and the vehicle may
require electrical system service.

O/D
OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

Air bag secondary warning

Flashes periodically when there is a
malfunction with the air bag
system.

For more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.

Safety belt

Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on as a reminder to fasten
the safety belts. For more
information, refer to Safety belt
indicator light and warning
chime in the Seating and safety
restraints chapter.

Alternative design

Alternative design

Alternative design

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7

8

O/D
OFF

CHECK

ENGINE

BRAKE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

Instrumentation

10

Traction control system light 
(if equipped)

This light comes on when the
traction control system has been
disengaged. It may flash on and off
while driving to indicate the system
is operating.

O/D
OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

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F

BRAKE

O/D
OFF

CHECK

ENGINE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

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Instrumentation

11

O/D Off indicator
(Automatic transaxle only)

Illuminates and remains
illuminated when the transaxle
control switch (TCS) on the side of
the gearshift lever is pressed and
overdrive is turned off. For details,
refer to the Driving chapter.

Indicates the status of the
transaxle and will flash steadily if a
malfunction is detected. If the
flashing persists, have your
transaxle serviced by your dealer
or a qualified service technician as
soon as possible.

If the condition persists, your
transaxle may be damaged.

O/D
OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

Low coolant (if equipped)

Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. Illuminates when the engine
coolant level is low. Refer to the
Maintenance and care chapter to
check the engine coolant level.

O/D
OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

If the light stays on for more than
three (3) seconds after the ignition
is turned to the ON position or
stays on continuously while you are
driving, have the traction control
system checked by a qualified
technician as soon as possible.

For more information, refer to
Traction Control in the Driving
chapter.

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Instrumentation

12

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 (OBD
II) system. This OBD II system
protects the environment by
ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government
emission standards.  The OBD II
system also assists the service
technician in properly servicing
your vehicle.

CHECK

ENGINE

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TRACTION

CONTROL

O/D
OFF

CHECK

ENGINE

BRAKE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

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F

BRAKE

O/D
OFF

CHECK

ENGINE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

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Instrumentation

13

What you should do if the check
engine light illuminates

Light turns on solid:

This means that the OBD II system
has detected a malfunction.

Temporary malfunctions may cause
your check engine light to
illuminate.  Examples are:

• The vehicle has run out of fuel
(The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)

• Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel

• The fuel cap may not have been
securely tightened.

The check engine indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is
first turned to the ON position to
check the bulb.  If it comes on
after the engine is started, one of
the engine’s emission control
systems may be malfunctioning.
The light may illuminate without a
driveability concern being noted.
The vehicle will usually be drivable
and will not require towing.

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Instrumentation

14

These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or
properly tightening the fuel 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 vehicle service is
required.
If the check engine light remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at
the first available opportunity.

Light is blinking:

Engine misfire is occuring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.

Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive

exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle com-
ponents, possibly causing a fire.

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Instrumentation

15

CHECK

ENGINE

CHECK

ENGINE

Low fuel reminder

Illuminates as an early reminder of
a low fuel condition indicated on
the fuel gauge (refer to Fuel
Gauge in this chapter for more
information). 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 tank. The ignition
must be in the ON position for this
lamp to illuminate. The lamp will
also illuminate for several seconds
immediately after the ignition is
turned to the ON position
regardless of the fuel level for bulb
verification.

CHECK

ENGINE

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.

Front foglamps (if equipped)

Illuminates when foglamps are
switched on.

Refer to Foglamp control in the
Controls and features chapter for
notes on use.

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Instrumentation

16

E

F

BRAKE

O/D
OFF

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CHECK

ENGINE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

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x 1000

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O/D
OFF

CHECK

ENGINE

BRAKE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

Brake system warning

Extinguishes when the parking
brake is released. Illuminates after
releasing the parking brake to
indicate low brake fluid level.

Illumination while driving may
indicate that one of the braking
circuits has failed. The second
braking circuit will remain intact.
However, you will need to brake
harder and allow for increased
stopping distances.

BRAKE

BRAKE

Alternative design

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