ignition Mercury Mountaineer 1998 s Owner's Guide

²Unlock the doors by using your
remote entry transmitter.
²Unlock the doors with a key.
Turn the key full travel (toward
the front of the vehicle) to make
sure the alarm disarms.
²Unlock the doors by using your
keyless entry keypad.
²Turn ignition to ACC or ON.
²Press the panic control on the
remote entry transmitter. This
will disarm the system only if
the alarm is sounding.
SecuriLockYanti-theft system
The SecuriLockyanti-theft system
provides an advanced level of
vehicle theft protection. Your
vehicle's engine can only be started
with the two special SecuriLocky
electronically coded keys provided
with your vehicle. Each time you
start your vehicle, the
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Controls and features
57

SecuriLockykey is read by the
SecuriLockyanti-theft system. If
the SecuriLockykey identification
code matches the code stored in
the SecuriLockyanti-theft system,
the vehicle's engine is allowed to
start. If the SecuriLockykey
identification code does not match
the code stored in the system or if
a SecuriLockykey is not detected
(vehicle theft situation), the
vehicle's engine will not operate.
Spare SecuriLockykeys can be
purchased from your dealership
and programmed to your
SecuriLockyanti-theft system.
Refer toProgramming spare
SecuriLockykeysfor more
information.
If one or both of your SecuriLocky
keys are lost or stolen and you
want to ensure the lost or stolen
key will not operate your vehicle,
bring your vehicle and all available
SecuriLockykeys to your
dealership for reinitialization.
Theft indicator
The theft indicator on the
instrument cluster will operate as
follows:
²When the ignition is OFF, the
theft indicator will flash briefly
every 2 seconds to indicate the
SecuriLockysystem is
protecting your vehicle.
²When the ignition is turned to
RUN or START, the theft
indicator will light for 3 seconds
and then go out. If the theft
Controls and features
58

SecuriLockykeys and the new
unprogrammed SecuriLockykey
readily accessible for the
procedure. Please read and
understand the entire procedure
before you begin.
1. Insert the first previously
programmed SecuriLockykey into
the ignition switch and turn the
ignition from OFF to RUN
(maintain ignition in RUN for at
least one second).
2. Turn ignition to OFF and
remove the first SecuriLockykey
from the ignition switch.
3. Within five seconds of turning
the ignition to OFF, insert the
second previously programmed
SecuriLockykey into the ignition
switch and turn the ignition from
OFF to RUN (maintain ignition in
RUN for at least one second but no
more than 5 seconds).
4. Turn the ignition to OFF and
remove the second SecuriLocky
key from the ignition switch.
5. Within 10 seconds of turning the
ignition to OFF, insert the
unprogrammed SecuriLockykey
(new key) into the ignition switch
and turn the ignition from OFF to
RUN (maintain ignition switch in
RUN for at least one second). This
step will program your new
SecuriLockykey.
6. If it is desired to program
additional SecuriLockykey(s),
repeat this procedure from step 1.
Controls and features
60

Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to ON...The safety belt warning light
illuminates for one to two minutes and
the warning chime sounds for four to
eight seconds.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled while the indicator
light is illuminated and the
warning chime is sounding...The safety belt warning light turns off.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to ON...The safety belt warning light remains
off.
Safety belt maintenance
Check the safety belt systems
periodically to make sure they
work properly and are not
damaged. Check the safety belts to
make sure there are no nicks,
wears or cuts. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies (slide bar)(if
equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child
safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be
inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced.
However, if the collision was minor
and a qualified technician finds
that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly,
they do not need to be replaced.
Seating and safety restraints
72

A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be
heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag
equipped vehicles
For disposal of air bags or air bag
equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician.
Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR
CHILDREN
Important child restraint
precautions
You are required by law to use
safety restraints for children in the
U.S. and Canada. If small children
ride in your vehicle (generally
children who are four years old or
Seating and safety restraints
78

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

there is sufficient space, will
enable you to avoid obstacles
and bring the vehicle to a
controlled stop.
²We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First)
(manual transmission).
The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop
!
BRAKE
Driving
102

The air suspension shut-off switch
is located in the cargo area behind
the left rear quarter trim panel.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Automatic transmission
operation
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift from being
moved from P (Park) unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift
out of P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn
ignition key to LOCK, then remove
the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to
OFF. Apply the brake pedal and
shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift, it
is possible that a fuse has blown.
Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Driving
104

Do not drive your vehicle
until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud
or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse
gears in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each
gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
Driving with a 4±speed
automatic transmission
(5.0L engines only)
Understanding gearshift
positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards
you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Hold the brake pedal down
while you move the
gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and
injure someone.
Driving
105

If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck, shift the
transmission in a steady motion
between forward and reverse
gears. Allow the transmission to
engage, then press lightly on the
accelerator.
Do not rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at
over 56 km/h (35 mph).
The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to
keep all four wheels on the most
solid area of the trail. Do not
reduce the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the
accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Driving
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