Mercury Mystique (2000 year). Manual - part 8

Starting

113

3. Turn the key to the on position
(without turning the key to start).

Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.

• If the driver’s safety belt is
fastened the safety belt warning
light does not illuminate.

BRAKE

BRAKE

CHECK

ENGINE

Alternative design

Alternative design

O/D
OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

21MSten  24.6.99 15:23 Uhr  Seite 113

Starting

114

STARTING THE ENGINE

1. Turn the key to the  start
position (4) without pressing the
accelerator pedal and release as
soon as the engine starts. The key
will return to the on (3) position.

3

4

2

1

2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.

3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below -12°C (10°F), depress the
accelerator pedal and start the
engine while holding the
accelerator pedal down. Release
the accelerator pedal when the
engine starts.

Vehicles equipped with 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 the engine for a few
seconds, apply the brake pedal and
release the parking brake.

21MSten  24.6.99 15:23 Uhr  Seite 114

Starting

115

USING THE ENGINE BLOCK
HEATER (if equipped)

An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the heater-
defroster system to respond
quickly. It is strongly recommended
if you live in a region where
temperatures reach –23°C (–10°F)
or below.

For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
more than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.

To prevent electrical shock,
do not use your heater with

ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.

21MSten  24.6.99 15:23 Uhr  Seite 115

Driving

116

BRAKES

Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” for
maintenance intervals.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
(if equipped)

The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock-up during
brake applications and
compensating for this tendency.
The wheels are prevented from
locking even when the brakes are
firmly applied, helping to ensure
that the vehicle can be steered and
the driver can avoid obstacles.

Operation of the anti-lock
braking system

The anti-lock braking system is not
employed during normal braking. It
becomes operational only when it
senses differences in the rotational
speed of the road wheels,
indicating that they are about to
lock-up. Its operation is indicated
by a pulsing of the brake pedal. Do
not release the pedal while braking.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 116

Driving

117

Two important
rules when
braking in
emergencies with
ABS:

1.

Apply full force
on both brake
and clutch pedal
(if equipped).

Braking with ABS

• In an emergency, apply full force
on the brake pedal. In vehicles
with manual transaxles, you must
also depress the clutch pedal. The
anti-lock braking system will be
activated immediately, allowing
you to retain full steering control
of your vehicle and, providing
there is sufficient space, will
enable you to avoid obstacles. 

• We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.

• Although the ABS ensures
optimum braking efficiency,
stopping distances can vary
greatly, depending on the road
surface and conditions. Use of 
the ABS cannot eliminate the
dangers inherent in driving too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
hydroplaning, excessive cornering
speed, or poor road surfaces.

2

. 

Steer around the
obstacle. No matter
how hard you brake,
steering control is
maintained.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 117

Driving

118

Parking brake

To engage the parking brake:

Pull the handle upward.

To release the parking brake:

1. Press and hold the release
button.

2. 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

brake while outside the vehicle.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 118

Driving

119

TRACTION CONTROL
(if equipped)

This system prevents wheel spin at
all speeds. The control will toggle
this function on and off, but the
feature defaults to on after each
cycle of the ignition key.

The traction control system
controls excessive wheel spin 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 on the
instrument panel when the system
is functioning to regulate tire
traction.

When the ignition is turned to the
on position, the traction control
system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds. If
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to the on
position or if it remains on when
the traction control system is
turned on, have the system
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician. You
can continue to drive and do not
need to have the vehicle towed in.

You should not take unnecessary
driving risks because of the
system’s safety potential.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 119

Driving

120

STEERING YOUR VEHICLE

Your vehicle comes with power
steering. Power steering uses
energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.

If the amount of effort needed to
steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the
power steering system 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 for more
than five seconds if the engine is
running. This can damage the
power steering pump.

Switching off traction control

If you become stuck in snow or on
a slippery road surface, try
switching off the traction control
system by pressing the switch. This
may allow the excess wheel spin to
“dig“ the vehicle out or enable a
successful “rocking“ maneuver. Do
not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes, because it could
damage the vehicle.

The light in the control illuminates
continuously when the system has
been switched off. To reactivate
the system, depress the switch
again or restart the engine.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 120

Driving

121

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).

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 121

Driving

122

Overriding the brake-shift
interlock feature

If it is necessary to use this
procedure to move the gearshift
lever, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle’s brakelamps
may not be working. Refer to Fuses
and relays in the Roadside
emergencies chapter.

If you cannot move the gearshift
lever from P (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. Insert a screwdriver or similar
item about 5 cm (2 inches) into the
square opening to the right of the
gearshift at the base of the console.

4. Rotate the screwdriver point
rearward.

5. Push and hold the thumb button
and move the gearshift.

6. Remove the screwdriver when
the gearshift moves from the P
(Park) position.

The console-mounted gearshift will
lock when you turn the key to the
lock position. When the gearshift is
in any position except P (Park),
the ignition key cannot be turned
to lock or removed from the
steering column. To remove the
key, the gearshift lever must be in
P (Park).

Once the gearshift is secure in the
desired position, release the brake
pedal and use the accelerator as
necessary.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 122

Driving

123

P = Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

R = Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . 

N = Neutral. . . . . . . . . . . . 

D = Drive: Gear 1 to 4

with overdrive . . . . . . 
Gear 1 to 3
with overdrive 
cancelled . . . . . . . . . . 

2 = Gear 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 

1 = Gear 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Driving

Never leave a vehicle
unattended while it is

running.

• P

(Park)

Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). This
locks the transaxle and prevents
the front wheels from rotating.

•

R

(Reverse)

The vehicle only moves backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting in or out of R
(Reverse).

Understanding gearshift
positions

To account for customer driving
habits and conditions, your 2.5 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
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.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 123

Driving

124

• D 

(Overdrive)

Note that the vehicle’s gearshift is
console-mounted on the floor. The
transaxle control switch (TCS) is
located on the gearshift handle.
The transaxle control indicator
light (O/D light) is located on the
instrument panel.

Overdrive is not shown on the
display, but is the default mode for
the D gearshift position. This is the
normal driving mode for the best
fuel economy. The transaxle
operates in gears one through four.
The O/D light is off (not
illuminated) during normal vehicle
operation.

Overdrive can be deactivated by
pressing the transaxle control
switch (TCS) located on the
gearshift handle. The O/D OFF
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. 

• N 

(Neutral)

The wheels of the transaxle are not
locked. Your vehicle will roll freely,
even on the slightest incline, unless
the parking brake or brakes are on.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 124

Driving

125

O/D
OFF

TRACTION

CONTROL

•  D 

(Drive)

D (Drive) provides more engine
braking than overdrive and is
useful when driving through hilly
terrain or if your vehicle requires
additional power for climbing hills.
Activate by pressing the transaxle
control switch (TCS) located on
the gearshift handle. The O/D OFF
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Transaxle
operates in gears one through
three. 

To return to overdrive mode, press
the transaxle control switch.The
O/D OFF indicator light will
extinguish.

When starting your vehicle, the
transaxle will automatically return
to normal overdrive mode when the
D (Drive) gearshift position is
selected.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 125

Driving

126

• 1 

(First)

Use the 1 (First) position to
provide maximum engine braking
on steep downgrades. Upshifts will
not occur while the gearshift lever
remains in the 1 (First) position.
Upshifts may be made by shifting
to the 2 (second) position or to D
(Drive). Selecting the 1 (First)
position at high speeds causes the
transaxle to downshift through the
gears and will shift to 1 (First)
after the vehicle decelerates to the
transaxle first gear designed speed.
Do not go faster than 60 km/h 
(38 mph) in this gear.

• 2 

(Second)

Use the 2 (Second) position to
start up on slippery roads or to
provide additional braking on
downgrades. When your vehicle is
in 2 (Second), it automatically
starts off in second gear. Do not go
faster than 90 km/h (55 mph) in
this gear.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 126

Driving

127

Manual transaxle (if equipped)

Vehicles equipped with a manual
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.

5. Put the gearshift in 1 (First) or R
(Reverse).

6. Release the clutch slowly while
pressing gradually down on the
accelerator pedal.

Do not drive with your foot resting
on the clutch pedal. Do not use the
clutch to hold your vehicle at a
standstill while waiting on a hill.
These actions may reduce the
clutch life.

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 127

Driving

128

*The vehicle can be shifted at lower speeds to improve fuel economy.

22

Recommended shift speeds

2.0 litre engine 5-speed transaxle

shift speed schedules

Recommended

upshifts:

Shift from

km/h

mph

14

25

33

48

40

53

77

mph

12

20

29

40

km/h

19

32

64

First to second

Second to third

Third to fourth

Fourth to fifth

During acceleration:

During cruise*:

46

2.5 litre engine 5-speed transaxle

shift speed schedules

km/h

mph

km/h

mph

10

20

31

40

16

32

50

64

14

25

33

45

22

40

53

73

Shift from

First to second

Second to third

Third to fourth

Fourth to fifth

Recommended

upshifts:

During acceleration:

During cruise*:

22MDren  24.6.99 15:26 Uhr  Seite 128