key Mercury Mountaineer 1997 s Owner's Guide

bags, and the air bags deflate. You
may notice smoke and smell the
escaping gas after the air bags
deflate. This is normal.
You and your passenger must wear
your safety belts in order for the
air bag system to operate
effectively.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND
CHIME
When you turn the ignition key to
the ON position, the
warning
light in the instrument cluster
illuminates for approximately six
seconds to indicate the air bag
system is functional.
If you hear a group of five beeps,
or if the
warning light does
not illuminate, stays lit, or flashes,
the air bag system requires
immediate service. Have the
vehicle serviced at your dealer.
CHILD RESTRAINT
PRECAUTIONS
You are required by law to use
safety restraints in the United
States and Canada. If small
children ride in your vehicle
(generally children who are four
years of age or younger and who
weigh 18 kg [40 lb or less]), you
must put them in safety seats
made especially for children.
Check your local and state laws for
specific requirements regarding the
safety of your children.
Seating and safety restraints
74

2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
3. Make sure the parking brake is
set and the gearshift lever is in P
(Park).
4. Turn the key to the ON position
(without turning the key to
START).OFF
0020406080100
120
140
160
180
200P RND21
000000oooo
MPH km/h
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 100012345
6H
C
F
E
RSM
SET
ACC
COAST OFF ON
SRS
- +H
H
L L
ON
START
LOCK
ACCESSORYOFF
Starting your vehicle
90

The above lights illuminate briefly.
If a light fails to illuminate, have
the vehicle serviced.
If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
STARTING THE VEHICLE
After completing the steps under
Preparing to start the vehicle:
1. Turn the key to START, hold
until engine is running, then
release. DO NOT press the
accelerator.
The key will return to the ON
position.
2. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Special conditions when
starting
Starting a cold engine
At temperatures -12ÉC (10ÉF) and
below, do not hold the key in the
START position longer than 15
0ABS
- +
P RND21
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +
H
H
L L
ANTI-
THEFT
CHECK
ENGINE
O/D
OFF SPEED
CONT
H
C
F
E
!P
DOOR
AJAR
BRAKE
CHECK
GAGE
0
20
1030405060
70
80
90
110
120000000
oooo
100

20406080100
120
140
160
180
MPH km/h
ON
START
LOCK
ACCESSORYOFF
Starting your vehicle
91

seconds. If the engine does not
start on the first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait approximately 10
seconds.
2. Try starting the engine again.
At temperatures above -12ÉC
(10ÉF), do not hold the key in the
START position longer than five
seconds. If the engine does not
start on the first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait approximately five
seconds.
2. Try starting the engine again.
Starting a warm engine
Do not hold the key in the START
position for longer than five
seconds. If the engine does not
start on the first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait a few seconds until the
starter stops.
2. Try starting the engine again.
Starting the engine after two
failed attempts (warm or cold)
If the engine does not start after
two attempts:
1. Turn the key to LOCK and wait
about two minutes.
Starting your vehicle
92

2. Press the accelerator all the way
to the floor and hold.
3. Turn the key to START. Release
it once the engine starts.
4. Release the accelerator
gradually as the engine speeds up.
If the engine still does not start,
refer toFuel pump shutoff
switchin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Engine block heater (if
equipped)
To prevent electrical
shock, do not use your
engine block heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Engine block heaters are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach
-23ÉC (-10ÉF) or below. An engine
block heater works by warming the
engine coolant. This improves
engine starting by warming the
engine faster. Engine block heater
operation also allows the heater
and defrost system to respond
more quickly than usual.
Starting your vehicle
93

on downgrades. Transmission
operates in gears 1-2.
1 - LowUse 1 (Low) to provide
maximum engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
D(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low)
at higher speeds causes a shift to 2
(Second), and will shift to 1 (Low)
after vehicle decelerates to the
proper speed.
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift from being
moved from P unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift
out of P with the brake pedal
depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn ignition key to LOCK, then
remove the key.
3. Insert the key and turn to OFF.
4. Apply brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).
5. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift, it
is possible that a fuse has blown
and the vehicle's brakelamps may
not be operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Driving
101

come on unexpectedly; always
turn the engine off and let it
cool.
The cooling fan is
automatic and may come
on at any time. Always
disconnect the negative terminal
of the battery before working
near the fan.
²Never get under a vehicle
supported only by a jack. If you
must work under a vehicle, use
safety stands.
²Keep all lit cigarettes and other
smoking materials away from
the battery and all fuel-related
parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and make
sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Turn the engine off and remove
the key from the ignition.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
0020406080100
120
140
160
180
200P RND21
000000oooo
MPH km/h
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 100012345
6H
C
F
E
RSM
SET
ACC
COAST OFF ON
SRS
- +H
H
L L
Maintenance and care
137

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ............71,74,75,76,77,82,87
and child safety
seats .......................74,76,77,82,87
description ................................73
indicator light ...........................74
Air cleaner filter
replacing ..................................156
All Wheel Drive .........................102
Anti-theft system ........................56
arming the system ....................56
disarming a triggered system ..57
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................57
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system) .............................16
Autolamp system (see
Headlamps) .................................33
Automatic transmission ..............98
fluid, adding ............................149
Battery .......................................153
battery saver .............................58
how to service ........................153
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............142
Brakelamp
bulb replacement ....................174
Brakes ..........................................97
adjustment ................................96
anti-lock .....................................96
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................97
parking ......................................97
Break-in period .............................3
Bulbs, replacing
specifications ..........................179
Cargo area shade ...................46,47
Cargo cover ............................46,47
Childproof locks ..........................39
Chime ...........................................11
headlamps on ............................12
key-in-ignition ...........................11safety belt ............................11,69
Cleaning your vehicle
built-in child seat ...................184
engine compartment ..............183
exterior ....................................182
instrument panel ....................182
plastic parts ............................182
safety belts ..............................184
washing ....................................181
wheels ......................................182
wiper blades ............................183
Climate control
system ...........................17,18,19,21
air conditioning .........................21
heating .......................................21
Compass, electronic
calibration .................................30
set zone adjustment .................30
Compass/temperature display ...29
Console, description ...................42
Controls
instrument panel ......................13
steering column ........................22
Daytime running light system ...14
Defects, reporting .....................192
Defrost
rear window ..............................15
Driving under special
conditions
towing a trailer .......................114
Electronic sound system ............16
Emission control system ..........168
Engine .................................139,189
Engine block heater ...................93
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............145
checking hoses .......................148
Engine coolant temperature
gauge ..............................................7
Engine oil
checking and adding .......140,142
Exhaust fumes ............................94
Index
193

Flat tire ......................................131
Fluid refill capacities ................185
Foglamps ..............................16,177
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......167
choosing the right fuel ...........166
improving fuel economy ........116
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................164
Fuel gauge .....................................7
Fuel pump shut-off switch ..16,118
Fuse panels ...............................120
power distribution box ...........124
Fuses ..........................................119
charts .......................................120
checking and replacing ..........121
Gauges, Mechanical
battery voltage gauge .................7
engine coolant temperature
gauge ...........................................7
engine oil pressure gauge ..........7
fuel gauge ....................................7
odometer .....................................7
speedometer ...............................6
tachometer ..................................6
trip odometer ..............................7
Hazard flashers .............27,118,175
Headlamps ...................................13
autolamp system ..................13,33
daytime running lights .............14
warning chime ..........................12
Hitch ..........................................112
Hood ..........................................138
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........22
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................170
Instrument
cluster .........6,7,8,9,11,12,13,14,15,
16,17,18,19,21
Instrument panel ........................13
location of components ...........4,5Jump-starting your vehicle ......132
Keyless entry system .......49,50,52
autolock .....................................51
locking and unlocking doors ....50
programming entry code .........49
Lamps ........................................172
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................179
headlamps ........................173,180
high-mount brakelamp ...........174
illuminated entry system .........41
map lamps ...............................177
replacing bulbs .......................172
tail lamps .................................174
License plate lamps ..................176
Liftgate ........................................39
Lights, warning and indicator .8,11
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9
anti-theft ...................................10
brake ............................................9
charging system ..........................8
check engine .............................10
check gauges ..............................8
door ajar ......................................8
fuel reset .....................................8
high beam ...................................9
overdrive off ..............................10
safety belt ...................................9
speed control ..............................9
turn signal indicator .................10
Load limits .................................107
Lubricant specifications ...........187
Luggage rack .............................116
Moon roof ....................................33
Motorcraft parts ........................185
Odometer .......................................7
Overdrive .....................................26
Overhead console ........28,29,30,33
compass/temperature display ..29
map lamps ..........................31,177
storage compartment ...............31
Index
194