maintenance Mercury Mountaineer 1997 Owner's Manuals

BEFORE DRIVING
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 9
Controls and features 13
Seating and safety restraints 59
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting your vehicle 89
Driving 96
Roadside emergencies 118
SERVICING
Maintenance and care 136
Capacities and specifications 185
Reporting safety defects 192
Index 193
Filling station information 200
Table of contents
1

SAFETY BELT WARNING AND
INDICATOR CHIME
The
warning light illuminates
in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the
occupants to fasten their safety
belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The safety belt is not buckled
before the ignition key is turned
to ON...The safety belt indicator light
illuminates for one to two minutes
and the warning chime sounds for
4-8 seconds.
The safety belt is buckled while
the indicator light is illuminated
and the warning chime is
sounding...The safety belt indicator light and
the warning chime turn off.
The safety belt is buckled before
the ignition key is turned to ON...Both the safety belt warning light
and chime remain off.
SAFETY BELT MAINTENANCE
Check the safety belt systems
periodically to make sure that they
work properly and are not
damaged. Check the safety belts to
make sure there are no nicks,
wear, or cuts. If your vehicle has
been involved in an accident, have
all the safety belts and child seat
anchoring brackets (if equipped)
examined by a qualified technician.
Seating and safety restraints
69

Luggage rack (if equipped)
Load luggage as far back as it will
safely go without loading more
than 45 kg (100 lb) or cause the
vehicle to exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or
its Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). Use the following steps
to adjust the luggage rack.
²Turn adjustment wheel
backward to unlock crossbar
and slide crossbar forward or
backward.
²Turn adjustment wheel forward
to lock crossbar.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance
²excessive speed
²rapid acceleration
²driving with the brake pedal
depressed
Driving
116

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
Whenever possible, Ford has
designed parts that do not require
servicing. However, when servicing
is required, Ford's goal is to make
servicing your vehicle as easy as
possible. To help you:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
²Often, parts (such as the
headlamp bulbs) may be
replaced without tools.
²We provide you with aService
Guidethat makes tracking
routine service of your vehicle
easy.
If your vehicle requires
professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the
necessary parts and service. Check
theWarranty Guideto find out
which parts and services are
covered. Use only recommended
fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service
parts conforming to Ford
specifications. Motorcraft parts are
designed and built to provide the
best performance in your vehicle.
Precautions for servicing your
vehicle
Be particularly careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
²Do not work on a hot engine.
The engine cooling fan may
Maintenance and care
136

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.
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Maintenance and care
137

Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and make
sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Do not work on a vehicle in an
enclosed space with the engine
running.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
4. If work must be done with the
engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that could
get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long
hair.
Opening the hood
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
steering column.
2. While applying downward
pressure on the hood, push the
hood latch handle located behind
the grille near the center front of
the vehicle to the left.
3. Lift the hood.
After closing the hood, try to lift it
to be sure that it is closed
securely.
Lubricate the hood latch every six
months to ensure proper
operation.
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200P RND21
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RPM x 100012345
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Maintenance and care
138

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
V1Engine coolant recovery
reservoir
V2Windshield washer reservoir
V3Engine oil filler tube
V4Automatic transmission dipstick
V5Brake master cylinder
V6Power distribution box
V7Battery
V8Radiator cap
V9Power steering fluid reservoir
V10Engine oil dipstick
V11Ignition coil packs
V12Air cleaner
3
4
5
6
2
1
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5.0L
V8
Maintenance and care
139

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