Mercury Mountaineer 1998 Owner's Manuals

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 16
Seating and safety restraints 62
Starting and driving
Starting 94
Driving 100
Roadside emergencies 135
Servicing
Maintenance and care 154
Capacities and specifications 204
Reporting safety defects 212
Index 213
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including photocopying, recording or by any information storage
and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without
written authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright
r
1997 Ford Motor CompanyElemental Chlorine Free
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section onWarningsfor
a full explanation.
Indicates vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information
which may reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle and its equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of
driving, vary speeds frequently.
This is necessary to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full
use of the brakes for the first
1 600 km (1 000 miles).
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
GUIDE
The information found in this
guide was in effect at the time of
printing. Ford may change the
Introduction
2

contents without notice and
without incurring obligation.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of utility type
vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle,
please read this Owner's Guide
carefully. Your vehicle is not a
passenger car. As with other
vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or an
accident.
Be sure to readDriving off road
in theDrivingchapter as well as
the ªFour Wheelingº supplement
included with 4WD and utility type
vehicles.
Using your vehicle as a
snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for
snowplowing.
Using your vehicle as an
ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as
an ambulance.
Your vehicle is not equipped with
the Ford Ambulance Preparation
package.
Introduction
3

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6
H
C
F
E
OFF
20
1030405060
70
80
90
110
200000000
oooo
10020406080100
120
140
160
180
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RSM
SET
ACC
COAST OFF ON
SRS
H
H
Instrument cluster
(pg. 6)Speed control
(pg. 26)
Driver side air
bag
(pg. 73) Headlamp
control
(pg. 16)
Instrument panel
dimmer switch
(pg. 17)Tilt steering
wheel lever
(pg. 31)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer
control
(pg. 25)
Instrumentation
4

HI LO
OFF
REW
1FF
2SIDE 1-2
3
FM 1VOL – PUSH ON
AM
FMBASS TREBBAL FADE
AUTO
SET CLK
SEEKTUNE
DISCSSCAN
4
DOLBY SYSTEMEJTAPE CD
COMP5SHUFFLE
6
PUSH
OD
ON/OFF
Gearshift
(includes
overdrive button)
(pg. 104)Electronic sound
system; refer to
Audio GuideRear
window/washer
control
(pg. 32)
Rear window
defroster control
(pg. 24)
Climate controls
(pg. 18)Foglamp control
(if equipped)
(pg. 16)
Instrumentation
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the
engine's emission control system.
This system is commonly known as
the On Board Diagnostics System
(OBD II). This OBD II system
protects the environment by
ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government
emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service
technician in properly servicing
your vehicle.
TheCheck Engineindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is
first turned to the ON position to
check the bulb. If it comes on after
the engine is started, one of the
engine's emission control systems
may be malfunctioning. The light
may illuminate without a
driveability concern being noted.
The vehicle will usually be drivable
and will not require towing.
C
012345
6
RPMx1000
ABS!BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
EFH
H
H
PRN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
O/D
OFFL
L
10MPH 205060
70
304080
90
km/h
0 0 0
10 100
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0406080100
120
140
160
180
20
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
6

What you should do if the
check engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system
has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause
yourCheck Enginelight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel.
(The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been
properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or
properly installing and securely
tightening the gas cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck Enginelight
should turn off. (A driving cycle
consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway
driving.) No additional vehicle
service is required.
If theCheck Enginelight remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at
the first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
Instrumentation
7

have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle
components, possibly causing a
fire.
Fuel reset
Illuminates when the ignition key
is turned to the ON position and
the fuel pump shut-off switch has
been triggered. For more
information, refer toFuel pump
shut-off switchin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
FUEL
RESET
Instrumentation
8

Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ONand the
engine is off. Also illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light remains
on, continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system
serviced immediately.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously,
check for a burned-out turn signal
bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin
theMaintenance and care
chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
9

Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Check gage
Illuminates when the key is in the
ON position and the engine coolant
temperature is high, the engine oil
pressure is low or the fuel level is
near empty. Refer toEngine
coolant temperature gauge,
Engine oil pressure gaugeor
Fuel gaugein this chapter for
more information.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition
switch is in the ON or START
position and any door is open.
THEFT
CHECK
GAGE
DOOR
AJAR
Instrumentation
10