- 1). Perform the drivetrain inspection every 12 months or 15,000 miles to maintain the 3-year/ 36,000 mile drivetrain warranty that comes with the Mercury Cougar. The drivetrain warranty covers the internal engine parts, the transmission, the axles and the wheels.
- 2). Test drive your Mercury Cougar, listening closely for any unusual noises, such as a clicking or clunking when you're cruising at a low speed, a clicking noise when you turn or clunks when you round a corner. Any of these noises could indicate trouble with the drivetrain.
- 3). Park the car and open the hood to check the fluid levels for the oil and the transmission. With the engine running, check the transmission using the dipstick on the passenger side near the back of the engine block. Wipe the dipstick clean, reinsert it and then remove it to get a reading, and add more fluid, if low.
- 4). Pull the oil dipstick from the front driver side of the engine after you shut off the Mercury Cougar's engine. Follow the same process as you did to check the transmission fluid. Be sure the engine is at normal operating temperature before checking either fluid.
- 5). Look at all the components of the car's drivetrain. Lift the Cougar on a hoist and look for any signs of breakage or wear on the axles that connect the driveshaft to the wheels.
- 6). Examine the boots on the CV joints for damage. You should do this every time you change the oil or more often to catch a rip before joint damage occurs, which can be an expensive repair. Look for heavy grease on the brakes or the inside of the rear wheels, which can indicate a torn boot. Also, check for missing clamps.
- 7). Check for seepage of fluids from the seals or joints. At the outer end of the driveshaft, check the support brackets for the drivetrain to make sure they're tight.
- 8). Lower the car and check all the hoses and clamps attached to the engine and coming from the oil and air filters. The warranty doesn't cover them and it could create bigger problems if they break.
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