1988 Mercury Cougar Maintenance Schedule

Take care of your Mercury Cougar and it'll take care of you. With the right maintenance at the right time, your Cougar has a good chance of hitting 200,000 miles or more. So, you want to care for your car, but you’re not sure when to get certain services. It can be overwhelming, but fortunately, there’s a resource that takes the guesswork out of routine Cougar maintenance. It’s as easy as following the recommended maintenance schedule that’s been written specifically for your 1988 Mercury Cougar!

Mercury knows your vehicle inside and out (they made it, after all!), so they’ve designed this schedule with your car’s unique needs in mind. Scheduled maintenance services can vary depending on driving conditions, climate, and other factors; however, recommended maintenance usually includes services like fluid exchanges, filter changes, new brake pads, oil changes, and tire rotations. Keeping up with routine service appointments is a great way to keep your Cougar running for longer, keep you safer on the road, and prevent common 1988 Mercury Cougar problems.

Head to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care in your 1988 Mercury Cougar for factory-recommended routine maintenance and an expert technician will begin by performing a Courtesy Check. The Courtesy Check helps us see what we’re working with under the hood, and allows us to alert you to any potential problems before they worsen. Each Courtesy Check includes a free battery test and an inspection of your Cougar's windshield wiper blades, head and tail lights, filters, fluid levels, tires, and alignment.

Maybe it's time to find a new auto battery for your 1988 Mercury Cougar. Batteries generally need to be replaced every three to five years. Depending on the climate where you live and your habits while driving, your Cougar may need a replacement battery sooner. Taking short trips or exposing your car to extreme temperatures (like in the dead of winter or heat of summer) could reduce the life expectancy of your Mercury Cougar battery. It can be tempting to try and get as much life out of your battery as possible, but it’s smart to check it regularly and replace it before it gets too weak. If you keep driving on a battery that can't hold a charge, you run the risk of being stranded when your battery finally gives out (and no one can predict where that might be!). Your Mercury Cougar won't be going anywhere without a strong battery.

In addition to maintaining a strong battery, investing in regular oil changes can prevent premature wear on your 1988 Mercury Cougar engine. Reference the chart toward the top of the page if you're not sure about the optimal oil change intervals for your 1988 Cougar. Keep in mind that your oil change interval could be different given your driving style and climate. Talk to a Firestone Complete Auto Care technician to know when to change your oil. We can also answer any questions you have about what type of oil to use for your 1988 Mercury Cougar.

Maintaining your Mercury Cougar steering and suspension system can improve ride comfort and help you maintain control of your vehicle. When it comes to steering and suspension, you want to catch small problems before they turn into big (and expensive) ones. Trust our technicians to inspect system components and if needed, perform Mercury Cougar suspension and steering services. These might include wheel alignment, power steering fluid flushes and replenishments, ball joint lubrication, wheel bearing replacement, and strut replacement. To keep your car running at its best, it’s essential to have regular maintenance services on your Mercury Cougar's steering and suspension system.

If you fall behind on routine Mercury Cougar maintenance (or worse, don’t do it at all!), you might find yourself with a hot mess on your hands – quite literally. A damaged A/C system is never fun, and an overheated engine can cause significant issues (like a total car breakdown!). Our technicians have you covered there, too, with the tools and expertise to care for your entire Mercury Cougar cooling, heating, and climate control system. Need a new Mercury Cougar radiator? We got it. Is your A/C blowing hot air? We’re here to fix that, too. Firestone Complete Auto Care is your spot for 1988 Mercury Cougar maintenance.

So visit us regularly, or visit us urgently. Many locations are open on weekends and in the evening.