tow Mercury Mountaineer 1997 s Owner's Guide

warranty on paperwork, remove
aggressive particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect
remains, tar spots, road salt, and
industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash the wheels with the same
detergent you use to clean the
body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid based wheel cleaners, steel
wool, fuel, or strong detergents.
Never use abrasives that will
damage the finish of special wheel
surfaces. Use a tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
Cleaning plastic parts
Some of your vehicle's trim parts
are plastic. Clean with a tar and
road oil remover if necessary. Use
a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning.
Do not clean plastic parts with
thinners, solvents or petroleum
based cleaners.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Any cleaner or polish that
increases the gloss of the upper
portion of the instrument panel
should be avoided. The dull finish
in this area is to help protect the
driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Do not use dry paper towel,
chemical solvents, or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps; these
products may cause scratches or
crack the lamps.
Maintenance and care
182

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

Parts (see Motorcraft Parts) ...185
Power door locks ........................38
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....148
Rear climate control system ......45
Refill capacities for fluids ........185
Relays .................................127,128
Remote entry system
arming and disarming the
anti-theft system .................52,54
locking/unlocking doors ...........53
panic alarm ...............................53
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................55
replacing the batteries .............54
Repairing paint chips ...............181
Reporting safety defects ..........192
Safety chains, when towing a
trailer .........................................113
Safety defects, reporting ..........192
Safety restraints ..........................63
adjusting the safety belts .........67
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................66
center rear lap belt ..................68
cleaning the safety belts ..........71
extension assembly ..................71
lap and shoulder belts .............64
maintenance ..............................69
proper use .................................64
replacement ..............................70
warning light and chime ..........69
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual .......59
adjusting the seats, power .......60
folding rear seats ......................62
head restraints ..........................62
Servicing your vehicle ..............136
precautions when
servicing ...........................136,138
servicing when you tow .........115
Shift-lock system ......................101Spare tire .....................................48
Speed control ..............................23
Speedometer .................................6
Starting your vehicle .............89,91
preparing to start your
vehicle ..................................89,91
starting a warm engine ............92
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................27
Tachometer ...................................6
Tail lamps
bulb replacement ....................174
Tilt steering wheel ......................27
Tire types ..................................163
Tires
changing ..................................128
checking the pressure ............160
replacing ...........................162,163
rotating .............................161,162
snow tires and chains ............163
treadwear ................................159
Towing your vehicle .................135
Trailer towing ..............110,113,114
calculating maximum trailer
weight ......................................111
tips ...........................................115
trailer brakes ...........................113
trailer lamps ............................114
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................152
Trip odometer ...............................7
Turn signal .........................174,176
Vehicle dimensions ...................190
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................191
Ventilating your vehicle (see
Climate control) ..........................21
Washer fluid ..............................144
rear window reservoir ............145
Windows
power windows,
operating .........................35,36,37
Index
195