Mercury Mystique (2000 year). Manual - part 9

Driving

129

Parking

1. Apply the brake and the clutch
and shift into neutral.

2. Engage the parking brake.

3. Shift into 1 (First) or R
(Reverse).

4. Turn the ignition off.

Do not park your vehicle in
Neutral, it may move

unexpectedly and injure someone.
Use 1 (first) gear and set the
parking brake.

Reverse

To shift into R (Reverse):

1. Completely stop your vehicle.

2. Depress the clutch pedal to the
floor and place the gearshift lever
in the neutral position. Do not
release the clutch pedal.

3. If the following direction is not
followed, a grinding noise may
occur.

Wait a minimum of three seconds
before attempting to shift into R
(Reverse) gear.

4. Push the gearshift lever
completely to the right, pull up the
ring on the stalk of the gearshift
lever, and then pull rearward on
the gearshift lever to engage the R
(Reverse) gear. 

5. If the R (Reverse) gear is
engaged, slowly release the clutch
pedal from the floor.

1

2

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Driving

130

LOADING YOUR VEHICLE

Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with these
terms.

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)

Base curb weight plus the payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a
specification.

Payload

Combined maximum allowable
weight of passengers, cargo and
optional equipment.

Base curb weight

Weight of the vehicle including any
standard equipment, fluids and
lubricants. It does not include
passengers or aftermarket
equipment.

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131

GCW (Gross Combined Weight)

The GCW is the maximum
combined weight of the towing
vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) and the loaded trailer. The
GCW is specified by the
manufacturer to indicate the
combined maximum loaded weight
that the vehicle is designed to tow.

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)

Carrying capacity for each axle
system (front and rear). The
GAWR is specific to each vehicle
and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label on
the driver’s door pillar.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)

Maximum total weight of the base
vehicle, passengers, optional
equipment and cargo. The GVWR is
specific to each vehicle and is listed
on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the driver’s
door pilar.

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132

-9%

-6%

-3%

900 m

(3000 ft)

600 m

(2000 ft)

300 m

(1000 ft)

0

Payload = GVWR minus Base
curb weight

To obtain the correct weight for
your vehicle, try taking your
vehicle to a shipping company or
an inspection station for trucks.

Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they might lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.
(Replacement tires with a higher
weight limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.)

In high altitudes, engines will lose
power at a rate of 3% power per
300 m (1 000 ft) increase in
elevation. A reduction in GVW and
GCW is recommended for
maximum vehicle performance.

Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the

Safety Compliance Certification
Label.

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Driving

133

It is extremly dangerous to
ride in a cargo area, inside or

outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured
or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats
and safety belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.

Driving with a heavy load

The total weight of the vehicle plus
the total weight of passengers and
cargo should never exceed the
GVWR.

The weight that the vehicle carries
over the front and rear axles
should never exceed the GAWR for
the respective axle.

The weight limits of your vehicle’s
tires affect the GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Using tires with higher
weight limits than the original tires
will not increase the GVWR or
GAWR of your vehicle; using tires
with lower weight limits may lower
the GVWR or GAWR of your
vehicle.

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Driving

134

TRAILER TOWING

For vehicles equipped with 2.0 L
engines and automatic transaxles,
an auxiliary cooler must be
installed prior to trailer towing to
protect the power steering and
transaxle system.

Your vehicle is capable of towing a
trailer of up to a maximum of
454 kg (1 000 lbs) gross trailer
weight with a maximum tongue
load of 45 kg (100 lbs). The trailer
should also have 2.3 sq. meters
(25 sq. feet) or less frontal area. Do
not drive faster than 72 km/h
(45 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1 000 lb) trailer.

Your vehicle does not come from
the factory fully equipped to tow.
No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.

Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension.
For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use
the proper equipment while
towing.

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135

Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:

• Stay within your vehicle’s load
limits.

• Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer to Preparing to
tow in this chapter.

• Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towing a trailer in
this chapter.

• Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty schedule
in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide”.

• Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).

• Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.

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136

Preparing to tow

Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure that
it is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer retailer if you
require assistance.

Auxiliary coolers are recommended
for the power steering system and
automatic transaxle system if you
are planning on:

• Traveling farther than 80 km

(50 miles).

• Towing in hilly terrain.

• Towing frequently.

Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended

gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transaxle
damage, structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.

Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer to Loading your
vehicle in this chapter. Remember
to figure in the tongue load of your
loaded vehicle when figuring the
total weight.

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Driving

137

Using a hitch

Do not use hitches that:

• Clamp onto the vehicle bumper.

• Attach to the axle.

Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. Tie down
the load so that it does not shift
and change weight on the hitch.
Follow the instructions of a
reputable rental agency.

Using trailer lamps

See your local trailer retailer or
rental agency for proper
instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.

Do not hook the trailer lamps
directly into the vehicle’s wiring
system. If the trailer lamps are not
working properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster may
not work properly.

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Driving

138

Using safety chains

Always connect the trailer’s safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the chains, cross the chains under
the trailer tongue and attach to the
vehicle frame or hook retainers
(not the bumper). Make sure there
is enough slack to allow the vehicle
to turn corners.

Do not connect a trailer’s
hydraulic brake system

directly to your vehicle’s brake
system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your
chances of having a collision
greatly increase.

Using trailer brakes

Use electric brakes or manual,
automatic or surge type hydraulic
brakes that meet federal and local
regulations. Install and adjust
brakes according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.

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Driving

139

Driving while towing a trailer

Do not drive faster than 72 km/h
(45 mph) while towing a 454 kg
(1 000 lb) trailer. Do not drive
faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with
any weight trailer while towing in
hilly terrain or on hot days.

Speed control (if equipped) may
not work properly while towing on
long, steep grades.

If driving with an automatic
transaxle:

• Use D (Drive) or a low gear
rather than D (Overdrive) by
depressing the TCS button on the
underside of the gearshift lever,
while towing up or down steep
inclines.

• Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.

If driving with a manual transaxle:

• Select a gear that avoids jerking
or excessive engine speed.

• Avoid driving excessively in first
or second gear. If you need to drive
excessively in first or second gear,
the trailer may be too big or too
heavily loaded for the vehicle
drivetrain.

• Shift to a lower gear while
towing  up or down steep hills.

• Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.

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Driving

140

FUEL CONSUMPTION

Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:

• lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance,

• excessive speed,

• rapid acceleration,

• driving with the brake pedal
depressed,

• sudden stops,

• extended engine idling,

• use of speed control in hilly
terrain,

• extended use of the air
conditioner, defroster, rear window
defroster and other accessories,

• underinflated tires,

• heavy loads,

• aftermarket add-ons such as
bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.

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Roadside emergencies

141

HAZARD FLASHER CONTROL

Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown or
approaching danger. Depress to
activate. Depress again to switch
off. The hazard lights can be
operated when the ignition is off.

Off

Res

Set

Acc

Coast

On

FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH

If the engine cranks, but does not
start or does not start after a
collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been activated.
The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the electric fuel
pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a substantial jolt.

Once the shut-off switch is
activated, you must reset the
switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle. The switch is located
on the side panel in front of the
driver’s side door.

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Roadside emergencies

142

If your engine cranks but does not
start after a collision or substantial
jolt:

1. Turn the ignition key to the off
position.

2. Check under the vehicle for
leaking fuel.

3. If you do not see or smell fuel,
push the red reset button down. If
the button is already set, you may
have a different mechanical
problem.

4. Turn the ignition key to the on
position for a few seconds, then
turn it to the off position.

5. Check under the vehicle again
for leaking fuel. If you see or smell
fuel, do not start your vehicle
again. If you do not see or smell
fuel, you can try to start your
vehicle again.

If you see or smell fuel, do
not reset the switch or try to

start your vehicle. Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department
or a towing service.

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Roadside emergencies

143

Even after a fuse is replaced, it will
continue to blow if the cause of the
overload is not identified and
corrected. If the fuse continues to
blow, have the vehicle’s electrical
system checked by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.

To reset a circuit breaker press the
reset button.

The passenger compartment fuse
panel is located on the driver’s side
under the instrument panel. The
power distribution box is located
on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment.

They contain the main fuses and
the main relays. The circuits
protected are identified by
numbers on the passenger
compartment fuse panel and inside
the cover on the power distribution
box.

FUSES AND RELAYS

If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire. Check
the appropriate fuses before
replacing any electrical
components.

Always replace a fuse with
one that has the specified

amperage rating. Using a fuse with
higher amperage rating can cause
severe wire damage and could
start a fire.

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Roadside emergencies

144

1

Power distribution box

To check or replace a fuse or a
relay, remove the cover of the fuse
box in the engine compartment by
releasing the latch (1) and lifting
up.

A blown fuse can be identified by a
break in the wire.

All fuses are a push fit.

Five reserve fuses with different
current ratings are located in the
power distribution box.

11 12 13 14 15 16

R6

R5

R4

R3

R2

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

R1

R7

R8

R9

R10

R11

D1

D2

17 18

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

Always replace the cover to
the Power Distribution Box

before reconnecting the battery or
refilling fluid reservoirs.

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