check transmission fluid Mercury Mountaineer 1998 Owner's Manuals

Once through water, always try the
brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes.
Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying
light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean
off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts and tires. Excess mud
stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance
that could damage drive
components.
If the transmission and transfer
case are submerged in water, their
fluids should be checked and
changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the
transmission may damage the
transmission.
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.
Driving on hilly or sloping
terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid
driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes. You could lose
traction and slip sideways. Drive
straight up, straight down or avoid
the hill completely. Know the
conditions on the other side of a
Driving
116

If the transmission and transfer
case are submerged in water, their
fluids should be checked and
changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the
transmission may damage the
transmission.
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.
Driving on hilly or sloping
terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid
driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes. You could lose
traction and slip sideways. Drive
straight up, straight down or avoid
the hill completely. Know the
conditions on the other side of a
hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in
a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from
a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of
stalling.
When descending a steep hill,
avoid sudden braking. Rapid
pumping of the brake pedal will
help slow the vehicle and still
maintain steering control.
Driving
121

lines. Do not add fluid if the level
is in this range.
7. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the correct operating range. Be
sure to put the cap back on the
reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking and adding automatic
transmission fluid
Follow the scheduled service
intervals outlined in the ªService
Guide.º
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type is used. The type
of fluid used is normally indicated
on the dipstick and/or dipstick
handle and also in theLubricant
specificationssection in the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the bottom hole on
the dipstick and outside
temperatures are above 10ÉC
(50ÉF) (see figure to the right).
Your transmission does not use up
fluid. However, it is recommended
that you check the transmission
fluid at least twice a year. The
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
169

fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working
properly, i.e., if the transmission
slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be
checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC
(150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface.
The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately
32 km (20 miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]) (see figure to the
right).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at room temperature
(10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]) (see
figure to the right).
If your vehicle has been operated
for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the
vehicle should be turned off for
about 30 minutes to allow the fluid
to cool before checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface and engage the parking
brake.
2. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
DON’T ADD
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
170

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