checking oil Mercury Mountaineer 1997 Owner's Manuals

CHECKING AND ADDING
ENGINE OIL
Use WSS-M2C153-F motor oil
CERTIFIED FOR GASOLINE
ENGINES by the American
Petroleum Institute.
Engine oils with an SAE 5W±30
viscosity and displaying the
American Petroleum Institute
certification mark are preferred for
your vehicle. They provide the best
engine performance, fuel economy
and engine protection for all
climates down to ±25ÉC (±15ÉF).
Do not use:
²ªnon-detergentº oils
²oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD,
SE, SF, or SG
²additional engine oil additives,
oil treatments or engine
treatments
Additional engine oil additives, oil
treatments, or engine treatments
are never needed and could, under
certain conditions, lead to engine
damage which is not covered by
your Ford warranty.
Synthetic engine oils which are
CERTIFIED and of the preferred
viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter
must still be changed according to
theService Guide.
Maintenance and care
140

Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil every time
you fuel your vehicle.
Check the engine oil level more
frequently if the vehicle is carrying
a heavy load, towing a trailer,
idling for extended periods (like
police, taxi, or shuttle service
vehicles), or driven at high speeds
for extended periods of time.
To check engine oil:
1. Once the engine is warm, turn
the engine off. Make sure the
vehicle is parked on level ground.
2. Depress the parking brake.
Place the gearshift in P (Park).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
4. Remove the engine oil dipstick
and wipe clean. Reinsert the
dipstick fully, then remove it again.
The oil level should be between
the MIN and MAX lines. If the oil
level lies between the MIN and
MAX lines, there is no need to
add.
5. If the oil level is below the MIN
line, add engine oil as necessary
and recheck the oil level. If the oil
level is above the letter ``M'' in
``MAX,'' engine damage and/or high
oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from
the engine.
MAX MIN
Maintenance and care
141

Adding engine oil
If the fluid level is below the MIN
line, add engine oil. Add engine oil
through the oil filler cap and use a
funnel to pour oil into the opening.
Make sure you use a certified
engine oil of the preferred
viscosity.
Recheck the oil level. Make sure
that the oil level is not above the
MAX line on the dipstick.
Continuous contact with
USED motor oil has
caused cancer in laboratory rats.
Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
CHECKING AND ADDING
BRAKE FLUID
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed at least once
each year.
Maintenance and care
142

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