brakes Mercury Mountaineer 1997 Four Wheeling Supplement

Snow and ice
Your 4WD or AWD vehicle will
have advantages over two-wheel
drive vehicles in snow and on ice
by providing increased driving
traction. However, if you suddenly
change speed or direction you may
lose control. 4WD and AWD
vehicles can slide on slippery roads
just like any other vehicle. Should
you start to slide while driving on
snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of
the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden braking as well.
Although a 4WD or AWD vehicle
may accelerate better than a
two-wheel drive vehicle in snow
and ice, it won't stop any faster,
because as in other vehicles,
braking occurs at all four wheels.
Do not become overconfident as to
road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient
distance between you and other
vehicles for stopping. In
emergency stopping situations,
avoid locking of the wheels. Use a
ªsqueezeº technique, push on the
brake pedal with a steadily
increasing force which allows the
wheels to brake yet continue to
roll so that you may steer in the
direction you want to travel. If you
lock the wheels, release the brake
pedal and repeat the squeeze
technique. If your vehicle has
anti-lock brakes, apply the brake
steadily. Do not ªpumpº the
brakes. See your ªOwner's Guideº
for additional information on the
4WD or AWD operation on the road
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Water
Before driving through water,
determine the depth. Avoid water
higher than the bottom of the
wheel hubs. Proceed slowly to
avoid splashing, 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.
You can dry the brakes faster by
driving the vehicle slowly while
applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
Deep snow
4WD and AWD vehicles are unique
in that they can be driven in deep
snow that would stop a
conventional two-wheel drive
vehicle. Shift to a low gear and
maintain steady pressure on the
accelerator. This will help prevent
spinning the wheels while
maintaining sufficient momentum
to keep from bogging down. Using
tire chains will also help.
Never drive with chains on the
front tires of 4WD or AWD vehicles
without also putting them on the
rear tires. This could cause the
rear to slide and swing around
during braking.
Driving on hills
Although natural obstacles may
make it necessary to travel
Driving off-road with 4WD or AWD
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Descend a hill in the same gear
you would use to climb up the hill
to avoid excessive brake
application and brake overheating.
Do not descend in neutral,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can't turn and if
they aren't turning, you won't be
able to steer. The front wheels
have to be turning in order to
steer the vehicle. Rapid pumping
of the brake pedal will help you
slow the vehicle and still maintain
steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, apply the brakes steadily.
Do not ªpumpº the brakes.
TRAILER TOWING
Your 4WD or AWD vehicle may be
equipped for towing trailers (or
may require a trailer tow package),
provided that the combined total
weight of the vehicle and trailer is
less than or equal to the
recommended Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR). Refer to
ªFord Recreation Vehicle and
Trailer Towing Guide,º the
ªOwner's Guideº or see an
authorized Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury Dealer for
additional information.
Trailer Towing
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