Mercury Mountaineer 1998 s Owners Manual

9. Pull on the safety belt tongues
to ensure that they are both
securely latched. If they are not
properly latched, repeat steps
seven and eight.
If necessary, the shoulder belt may
be put in automatic locking mode
(ALR) to limit the child's
movement in the seat. The ALR
mode should be used if the child is
sleeping or attempting to get out
of the seat.
If not placed in ALR mode, the
child seat shoulder belts are in
vehicle sensitive (emergency
locking) mode, which allow some
movement of the shoulder belts
(like adult shoulder belts).
In emergency locking mode, the
shoulder belts of the child seat will
lock in response to hard braking,
hard cornering or if your vehicle is
involved in a collision with an
impact of 8 km/h (5 m.p.h.) or
more.
Activating the automatic locking
mode (ALR) on the built-in child
safety seat
1. Fully extend the right shoulder
belt.
2. Allow the belts to tighten snugly
against the child's shoulders
Seating and safety restraints
91

Deactivating the automatic
locking mode (ALR) on the
built-in child safety seat
1. Disconnect the chest clip and
remove the left and right safety
belt tongues from the crotch
buckle.
2. Allow the shoulder belts to fully
retract.
Removing your child from the
built-in child safety seat
1. Disconnect the chest clip by
squeezing the release tabs together
and pulling the two sides apart.
2. Press the release button on the
crotch buckle.
3. Slide the shoulder belts off the
child's shoulders and remove the
child from the seat.
If ALR is activated, hold either the
left or right shoulder belt out fully
while helping the child slide arms
out of the belts.
4. Fold the cushion protector flap
onto the child seat cushion. Slide
the belt tongues up and out of the
way of the cushion, then return
the child seat cushion to the
stowed (upright) position.
Seating and safety restraints
92

5. Slide the Velcrotstraps through
the D-rings on the child seat
cushion and attach.
6. Slide the head restraint down
until the top of the head restraint
is flush with the top of the adult
seat back.
7. Press firmly on the top center of
the built-in child safety seat head
restraint to ensure it is stowed
properly.
Inspecting the built-in child seat
after a collision
Inspect all built-in child restraints,
including seats, buckles, retractors,
seat latches. Interlocks and
attaching hardware should be
inspected by a qualified technician
after any collision. If the child seat
was in use during a collision, Ford
recommends replacing it. Built-in
child restraints not in use during a
collision should be inspected and
replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
93

PREPARING TO START YOUR
VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
standard requirements regulating
the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected
engine, avoid pressing the
accelerator before or during
starting. Only use the accelerator
when you have difficulty starting
the engine. For more information
on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this
chapter.
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Starting
94

Do not start your vehicle
in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start
the engine. SeeGuarding
against exhaust fumesin this
chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes
inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the
engine's idle revolutions per
minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to
warm the engine. If the engine idle
speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
Starting
95

²Make sure the parking brake is
set.
²Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
3. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
3
2
1
5
4
C
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6
RPMx1000ABS
CHECK
ENGINE
DOOR
AJAR
EFH
H
H
PRN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
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
!BRAKE
Starting
96

Make sure the corresponding lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the light (
) will not
illuminate.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5 (START)
without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will return
to 4 (ON).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR if the
temperature is below -12ÉC (10ÉF),
depress the accelerator and start
the engine while holding the
accelerator down. Release the
accelerator when the engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the
3
2
1
5
4
Starting
97

heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. They are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach
-23ÉC (-10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
longer than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical
shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded
electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust
fumes
Although odorless and colorless,
carbon monoxide is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions
to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust
fumes of any kind inside
your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes. These
fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Have the exhaust and body
ventilation systems checked
whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service
Starting
98

²the sound of the exhaust system
changes
²the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision
Important ventilating
information
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (one
inch).
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning (if equipped) to bring
in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
Starting
99

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal
and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the
vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake
systems may emit occasional or
intermittent squeal or groan noises
when the brakes are applied. Such
noises are usually heard during the
first few brake applications in the
morning; however, they may be
heard at any time while braking
and can be aggravated by
environmental conditions such as
cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt
or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º
ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is
present while braking, the brake
linings may be worn-out and
should be inspected by a qualified
service technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an
anti-lock braking system (ABS), a
noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal
may be observed during ABS
braking events. Pedal pulsation
coupled with noise while braking
under panic conditions or on loose
gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads
is normal and indicates proper
functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. If the
vehicle has continuous vibration or
Driving
100