Mercury 1996 Cougar Manual page 264

Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford
Specification ESW-M2C33-F, such as Ford
Premium Power Steering Fluid, E6AZ-19582-AA
or is an equivalent Type F Automatic
Transmission Fluid with a Ford registration
number (an 8-digit number beginning with "2P"
printed on the fluid container).
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
If you check the power steering fluid when it is
cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the FULL
COLD range on the dipstick. The reading will
only be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 50 to 85˚F (10 to 30˚C).
4.6L SFI engine
1. Check the fluid level when the system is
COLD (allow at least one half hour after
driving for the power steering fluid to cool).
2. Locate the power steering reservoir mounted
to the front upper left-hand corner of the
engine.
3. Visually verify that the fluid level is above
the MIN line adjacent to the reservoir "sight
window."
4. If the power steering fluid is below the MIN
line, remove the cap and add fluid in small
amounts until the level is between the MIN
and MAX lines.
5. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
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