towing Mercury Mountaineer 1998 s User Guide

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle trailer
combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer
wheels will clear curbs and
other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for
stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should
be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km
(50 miles), thoroughly check
your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
and increase idle speed. This
aids engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during
boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water
level to rise above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper and
Driving
132

²Do not allow waves to break
higher than 15 cm (six inches)
above the bottom edge of the
rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow
water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting
driveability, emissions and
reliability.
If the rear axle is submerged in
water, the rear axle lubricant
should be checked and changed, if
necessary. The rear axle is filled
with a synthetic lubricant and does
not normally require a lubricant
change for the life of the vehicle.
Rear axle lubricant quantities
should not need to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
Recreational towing (all wheels
on the ground)
Do not tow your vehicle with all
wheels on the ground as vehicle
damage may occur.
LUGGAGE RACK
Maximum load is 44 kg (100 lbs),
evenly distributed. If it is not
possible to distribute the load,
position it as far rearward as
possible. Adjustable tie down loops
(not equipped) must be used to
secure the load.
Driving
133

a tire could result in damage to
driveline components and make
the vehicle difficult to control.
Location of the spare tire and
tools
The spare tire and tools for your
vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just in front of
the rear bumper
Jack, lug nut wrench Left rear quarter panel behind
interior trim
Jack handle Behind rear seats, under carpet
Removing the spare tire
1. Insert the jack handle into the
rear bumper opening.
The handle will stop moving and
forward resistance to turning will
be felt when properly engaged.
2. Turn the handle
counterclockwise until tire is
lowered to the ground, the tire can
be slid rearward and the cable is
slightly slack.
3. Remove the retainer from the
spare tire.
Stowing the spare
1. Lay the tire on the ground with
the valve stem facing up.
Roadside emergencies
145

2. Slide the wheel under the
vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise
until the tire is raised to its
original position underneath the
vehicle. The jack handle ratchets
when the tire is raised to the
stowed position. It will not allow
you to overtighten.
Tire change procedure
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
Refer to the instruction sheet for
detailed tire change instructions.
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park).
When one of the rear wheels is off
the ground, the transmission alone
will not prevent the vehicle from
moving or slipping off the jack,
even if the transmission is in P
(Park).
3. Block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
4. Use the tip of the lug wrench to
remove any wheel trim.
Roadside emergencies
146

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle
towed, contact a professional
towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance
center.
If equipped with air suspension,
the air suspension control must be
turned to the OFF position.
The Ford approved towing
procedure is flatbed or wheel
lift with dollies.
On 4x2 vehicles, it is acceptable to
tow the vehicle with the front
wheels on the ground (without
dollies) and the rear wheels off the
ground.
Roadside emergencies
152

If the vehicle is towed by other
means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Do not tow with slingbelt
equipment. Ford Motor Company
has not developed or approved a
slingbelt towing procedure.
When calling for a tow truck, tell
the operator what kind of vehicle
you have. A towing manual is
available from Ford Motor
Company for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow
truck driver refer to this manual
for proper hook-up and towing
procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
153

Engine oil recommendations
Look for this certification mark.
Ford oil specification is
WSS-M2C153-G.
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil certified
for gasoline engines by the
American Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary
and could, under certain
conditions, lead to engine damage
which is not covered by your
warranty.
Changing the engine oil and
filter
Change your engine oil and filter
according to the following mileage
and time requirements, whichever
occurs first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule - 5,000
km (3,000 miles) or three
months. Severe duty operation
would include extensive idling,
trailer towing, driving in severe
dust and police, taxi or delivery
service.
Maintenance and care
161

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety compliance label
The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration Regulations
require that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the front door latch
pillar on the driver's side.
Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number
is attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight
numbers of the vehicle
identification number) is stamped
on the engine block, transmission,
frame and transfer case (if so
equipped).
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXX
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AIR BAG
Capacities and specifications
211

improving fuel economy ........134
octane rating ...........................185
quality ......................................186
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................183
Fuel gauge ...................................15
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......135
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................138
power distribution box ...........141
Fuses ...................................136,137
Gauges, Mechanical ....................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
Hazard flashers .........................135
Head restraints ......................62,65
Headlamps ...................................16
daytime running lights .............16
flashing ......................................17
high beam .................................17
Heating ........................................18
High beams
indicator light .............................9
Hood
release lever ............................156
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and interior..17
Jump-starting your
vehicle .................................149,151
attaching cables ......................150
disconnecting cables ..............151
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................50
keypad .......................................52
locking and unlocking doors ....54
programming entry code ....53,54
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............12
Liftgate ........................................43
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9anti-theft ...................................10
brake ............................................9
charging system ........................10
check engine ............................6,7
cruise indicator .........................11
door ajar ....................................10
fuel reset .....................................8
overdrive off ..............................11
safety belt ...................................8
turn signal indicator ...................9
Load limits
trailer towing ..........................125
Lubricant specifications ...........207
Luggage rack .............................133
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................203
side view mirrors (power) .......41
Moon roof ....................................34
Motorcraft parts ........................204
Odometer .....................................13
Off road driving, 4-wheel
drive ....................................114,119
Overhead console
compass/temperature display ..33
storage compartment ...............33
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................47
Parking brake ............................102
Power door locks ........................40
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....167
Radio (see Electronic sound
systems) ......................................25
Rear window
washer .......................................32
Recreational towing, all wheels
on the ground ...........................133
Refill capacities for fluids ........204
Relays ........................................136
Remote entry system .................46
illuminated entry ......................49
locking/unlocking doors ......46,47
Index
214

replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................49
replacing the batteries .............48
Reporting safety defects ..........212
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................69,70
extension assembly ..................71
for children ...............................78
lap and shoulder belts .............68
maintenance ..............................72
proper use .................................66
warning light and
chime ...............................11,71,72
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....85
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................82
tether anchorage hardware .....85
Seats ............................................62
adjusting the seat, manual .......62
adjusting the seat, power ........63
folding rear seats ......................65
lumbar support .........................64
rear seat access ........................65
Servicing your vehicle ..............154
precautions when servicing ...154
Snowplowing .................................3
Special notice
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .207
Speed control ..............................26
canceling a set speed ...............29
indicator light ...........................30
resuming a set speed ...............30
tap up/tap down .......................28
turning off .................................26
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle ........94,95,97
Storage compartments
overhead storage
compartment .............................33Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................14
Tilt steering wheel ......................31
Tires ....................................176,179
checking the pressure ............179
replacing ..................................181
rotating ....................................179
snow tires and chains ............182
treadwear ................................177
Traction-lok rear axle ........123,172
Trailer towing ............................127
tips ...........................................132
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................172
Transmission .............................169
automatic
operation .........................104,105,
106,107,108,109,110
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................169
Trip odometer .............................14
Turn signal
lever ...........................................25
Vehicle dimensions ...................209
Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................194
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................211
Vehicle loading ..........................123
Ventilating your vehicle .............99
Warning chimes .............................6
Windows
power windows, operating .......39
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....163
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................175
operation ...................................32
Wrecker towing .........................152
Index
215