tire pressure Mercury Montego 2006 s User Guide

If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power
the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain
and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
183

If your vehicle is equipped with a 6–speed transmission:When
driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside temperatures,
use L (Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear operation will maximize
the engine and transmission cooling capability.Do not perform this
operation if your vehicle is equipped with an
electronically-controlled CVT.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, AWD system components or axles are submerged in
water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
184

•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
247

panic alarm ...............................84
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................86
replacing the batteries .............85
Reverse sensing system ...........179
Roadside assistance ..................188
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........117
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ......105, 108–112
Safety Canopy ...........................129
Safety defects, reporting ..........217
Safety restraints ........105, 108–112
belt minder .............................113
extension assembly ................117
for adults .........................109–111
for children .....................132–133
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................106
safety belt maintenance .........117
warning light and chime ........112
Safety seats for children ..........136
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................261
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............105
Seats ............................................97
child safety seats ....................136
front seats ...................97, 99, 102
heated ........................................41
memory seat .....................84, 102
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................92
Servicing your vehicle ..............225
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................16
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................20Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...................199
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................254, 259
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 259
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your vehicle ........168–170
jump starting ..........................203
Steering wheel
controls ......................................64
tilting .........................................55
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................55
Tires ...........................144–145, 197
alignment ................................151
care ..........................................148
changing ..........................197, 199
checking the pressure ............148
inflating ...................................146
label .........................................157
replacing ..................................150
rotating ....................................151
safety practices .......................150
sidewall information ...............153
snow tires and chains ............158
spare tire .................................197
terminology .............................145
tire grades ...............................145
treadwear ........................144, 149
Towing .......................................164
recreational towing .................167
trailer towing ..........................164
wrecker ....................................209
Traction control ........................173
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
269