oil change Mercury Mountaineer 1997 Owner's Manuals

differences for towing, hauling, and
off-road operation. For this reason,
Mercury urges you to read and
understand the contents of the
Four-Wheelingsupplement.
Breaking in your vehicle
Your new vehicle goes through an
adjustment or breaking-in period
during the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km) of driving. During this period:
²Change your vehicle's speed
often as you drive. Do not drive
at one speed for a long time.
²Use only the type of engine oil
Ford recommends. Do not use
special ªbreak-inº oils.
²Avoid sudden stops. The
break-in period for brake linings
lasts for 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
of highway driving or 160 km
(100 miles) of city driving.
Information about this guide
This guide describes equipment
and gives specifications for
equipment that was in effect when
this guide was approved for
printing. Mercury may discontinue
models or change specifications or
design without any notice and
without incurring obligation.
Introduction
3

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

If you notice one or more of the
following, the emission system may
not be working properly. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
²Fluid leaks.
²The
andCHECK
ENGINElights
illuminate in the instrument
cluster and remain lit.
²Strange odors.
²Engine runs more than five
seconds after shut-off or engine
misfires, surges, stalls or
backfires.
²Loss of oil pressure.
When servicing your vehicle, never
use a metal exhaust collector. A
metal collector may heat or deform
plastic parts.
Important emission control
information
By law, anyone who manufactures,
repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a
fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from
working.
Do not make any unauthorized
changes to the vehicle or engine.
Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust
system can increase the
temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
Maintenance and care
170