towing Mercury Mountaineer 1998 Owner's Manuals

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the
engine's emission control system.
This system is commonly known as
the On Board Diagnostics System
(OBD II). This OBD II system
protects the environment by
ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government
emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service
technician in properly servicing
your vehicle.
TheCheck Engineindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is
first turned to the ON position to
check the bulb. If it comes on after
the engine is started, one of the
engine's emission control systems
may be malfunctioning. The light
may illuminate without a
driveability concern being noted.
The vehicle will usually be drivable
and will not require towing.
C
012345
6
RPMx1000
ABS!BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
EFH
H
H
PRN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
HIGH
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
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
6

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.
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104

transmission control switch on the
end of the gearshift lever with the
gearshift in the
position. The
TCIL will illuminate on the
instrument cluster. Transmission
operates in gears one through
three.
(Drive) provides more
engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down
steep hills
²additional engine braking is
desired. If towing a trailer, refer
toDriving while you towin
theTowing a trailerchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode,
press the transmission control
switch. The TCIL will no longer be
illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started,
the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off
and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to
cancel overdrive operation if
driving in overdrive is not desired.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
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107

braking than(Overdrive) and is
useful whenever driving conditions
(i.e., city traffic, hilly terrain, etc.)
cause the transmission to
excessively shift between
(Overdrive) and(Drive).
Also deactivate
(Overdrive)
when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down
steep hills
²additional engine braking is
desired.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode,
press the transmission control
switch. The TCIL will no longer be
illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started,
the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades. Transmission operates
in third gear.
1 (First)
Use 1 (First) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low)
at higher speeds causes the
transmission to shift to a lower
gear and will shift to 1 (First) after
Driving
110

²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):
Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit
or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating): Maximum total weight
of the base vehicle, passengers,
optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each
vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the
driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating): Carrying capacity for
each axle system. The GAWR is
specific to each vehicle and is
listed on the Safety Compliance
Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating): Maximum
combined weight of towing
vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) and the trailer. The
GCWR indicates the maximum
loaded weight that the vehicle is
allowed to tow.
²Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating: Maximum weight of a
trailer the vehicle is permitted
to tow. The maximum trailer
weight rating equals the vehicle
curb weight for each
engine/transmission
combination, any required
option weight for trailer towing
and the weight of the driver
from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight:
maximum weight of a trailer the
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124

loaded vehicle (including
passengers and cargo) is
permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the
weight of the loaded trailer
towing vehicle from the GCWR
for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range:
Specified weight range that the
trailer must fall within that
ranges from zero to the
maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they may lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with
a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Calculating the load your
vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find the axle
code number and engine type for
your vehicle.
2. Use the appropriate maximum
gross combined weight rating
(GCWR) chart to find the
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125

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle
may require the use of a trailer
tow option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires,
and suspension. For your safety
and to maximize vehicle
performance, be sure to use the
proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load
limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer toPreparing
to towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while you towin this
chapter.
²Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty
schedule in the ªService Guideº.
²Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
Do not exceed the maximum loads
listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load
specification terms found on the
label, refer toVehicle loadingin
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127

this chapter. Remember to figure
in the tongue load of your loaded
vehicle when figuring the total
weight.
Trailer towing table (Automatic transmission)
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Trailer Weight
Range-kg
(lbs.)
0-MaximumMaximum
frontal area of
trailer-m
(ft)
4.0L
SOHC3.554 082
(9 000)0-2 041
(0-4 500)4.64 (50)
4.0L
SOHC3.734 535
(10 000)0-2 558
(0-5 640)4.64 (50)
4.0L
SOHC4.104 535
(10 000)0-2 558
(0-5 640)4.64 (50)
5.0L
AW D3.734 990
(11 000)0-2 930
(6 460)4.64 (50)
5.0L
2WD3.734 990
(11 000)0-2 997
(0-6 600)4.64 (50)
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128

Trailer towing table (4x4 and AWD with automatic
transmission)
Notes:For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft) elevation. For definition of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle's load, refer toVehicle loadingin this chapter.
Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the
GCWR.
Towing a trailer over 907 kg (2 000 lbs.) requires a weight distributing
hitch.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of control, and
personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer, and make sure it
is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute
the load in your trailer so that 10
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129

for hooking up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with
an integral hitch and requires only
a ball with a 19 mm (3/4 inch)
shank diameter. The bumper has a
1 590 kg (3 500 lb.) trailer weight
and 159 kg (350 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
Use a frame-mounted weight
distributing hitch for trailers over
1 590 kg (3 500 lb).
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear
when towing up or down steep
hills. This will eliminate
excessive downshifting and
upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission
cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule
in your ªService Guideº for more
information.
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