engine oil Mercury Mountaineer 1998 Owner's Manuals

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

Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle
remains in the normal range (the
area between the ªHº and ªLº).
If the gauge indicates low
pressure, switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer to
Checking and adding engine oil
in theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct,
have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified
technician.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The
fuel gauge may vary slightly when
the vehicle is in motion. The
ignition should be in the OFF
position while the vehicle is being
refueled. When the gauge first
indicates empty, there is a small
amount of reserve fuel in the tank.
When refueling the vehicle from
empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less
than the advertised capacity due to
the reserve fuel.
The FUEL DOOR icon and arrow
indicates which side of the vehicle
the fuel filler door is located.
H
L
EF
Instrumentation
15

1. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
2. Transmission fluid dipstick
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Air filter assembly
9. Engine coolant reservoir
5.0L engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid
dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
1
23
6
54
879
Maintenance and care
157

7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Air filter assembly
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
Maintenance and care
158

²4.0L engines
²5.0L engine
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert
the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the
ADD and FULL marks (4.0L
engines)orbetween the MIN
and MAX marks (5.0L
engines)the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
ADD 1 QTFULL
MAX MIN
Maintenance and care
159

²If the oil level is below the ADD
mark (4.0L engines) or MIN
mark (5.0L engines), add
enough oil to raise the level
within the ADD-FULL range
(4.0L engines) or MIN-MAX
range (5.0L engines).
²Oil levels above the letter F in
FULL (4.0L engines) or the
MAX mark (5.0L engines) may
cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the
engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer toChecking the
engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within
the normal range, add only
certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
the oil level is not above the MAX
mark or the letter F in FULL on
the dipstick.
Maintenance and care
160

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

Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake
fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed at least once
each year:
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid
until the level reaches MAX. Do
not fill above this line.
MAX
Maintenance and care
162

²Do not turn off the ignition
while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
²Have the services listed in your
ªService Guideº performed
according to the specified
schedule.
The Scheduled Maintenance
Services listed in the ªService
Guideº are required because they
are considered essential to the life
and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or
Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting
emission control such non-Ford
parts should be equivalent to
genuine Ford Motor Company
parts in performance and
durability.
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.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charging system warning light,
the ªCheck Engineº light or the
temperature warning light. These
events could indicate that the
emission control system is not
working properly.
Maintenance and care
188

Use only carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes. Remove
any bugs and tar before waxing
vehicle. Use cleaning fluid or
alcohol with a clean cloth to
remove. Use tar remover to
remove any tar spots.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage
from road debris may be repaired
with touch-up, paint repair foil or
aerosol paint spray from the Ford
accessory line. Observe the
application instructions on the
products.
Remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect
remains, tar spots, road salt and
industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when
they are clean because grease and
dirt buildup keep the engine
warmer than normal. When
washing:
²Take care when using a power
washer to clean the engine. The
high pressure fluid could
penetrate the sealed parts and
cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to
avoid cracking the engine block
or other engine components.
²Cover the highlighted areas to
prevent water damage when
cleaning the engine.
Maintenance and care
197