For a 1999 Mercury Tracer ( in North America )
( DOT 3 brake fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A )
On a ( 1996 ) Mercury Tracer : The brake fluid reservoir also is the clutch fluid reservoir and it takes : ( DOT 3 brake fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A )
According to the ( 1996 ) Mercury Tracer Owner Guide : ( the brake fluid reservoir is also the hydraulic clutch fluid reservoir )
On a 1997 Mercury Tracer : The AUTOMATIC transmission fluid dipstick would be on the side of the transmission ( transaxle ) in the area of the brake fluid reservoir . The manual transmission ( transaxle ) does not have a dipstick
Check the brake fluid level in your brake master cylinder in the engine compartment ( the brake light also comes on if the parking / emergency brake is applied )
Probably the level of brake fluid in the reservoir is low. This is telling you the brakes need service.
On the 93 escort, brother to Tracer, there was only a breather valve at the top of the transmission and fluid needed to be added by removing an access bolt OR it had a small yellow dipstick at the top of the transmission.
4.1 Qt.s
DOT 3 brake fluid
According to the 1997 Mercury Tracer Owner Guide : For the automatic and manual transaxle ( transmission ) ( Motorcraft MERCON Multi Purpose automatic transmission fluid )
On a 1998 Mercury Tracer : The power steering fluid reservoir is at the front of the engine compartment towards the passenger side < of the vehicle ( when looking from the FRONT of the vehicle , the power steering fluid reservoir is the reservoir on the RIGHT )
DOT 3 brake fluid
On a 1997 Mercury Tracer : The power steering fluid reservoir is at the front of the engine compartment , near the passenger side of the engine compartment * looking from the FRONT of the vehicle , it is the reservoir on the RIGHT