check transmission fluid Mercury Mountaineer 1999 Owner's Manuals

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.
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, transfer case or front axle 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 the strain on the engine.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
Driving
156

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,
halfshafts and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle 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. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than 16 km/h (10 mph), the speed control
will cancel automatically. Resume speed with accelerator pedal.
If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button (to resume speeds over 50 km/h (30
mph).
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving
159

5.0L V8 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Air filter assembly
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil .
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).
1
23
6
54
879
Maintenance and care
194

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the 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.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). 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 fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal and room temperature.
Correct fluid level
The 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 30 km (20
miles) of driving. However, you can check the fluid without driving if the
outside temperatures are above 10ÉC (50ÉF). If fluid is added at this
time, an overfill condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal
operating temperature.
Maintenance and care
203

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................125
and child safety seats ............127
description .......................126,129
disposal ....................................131
indicator light ..................129,131
passenger air bag ............127,130
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system..24,25,26,27,28,29
rear seat controls .....................30
Air suspension
description ..............................145
warning light .............................10
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................157
Armrests ....................................103
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ..................147,148,149,
150,151,152
Axle
refill capacities ........................233
Battery
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................143
anti-lock ............................143,144
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................144
fluid, checking and adding ....197
shift interlock ..........................146
Break-in period ..........................2,3
Cargo area shade ......................104
Cargo cover ...............................104
CD player .....................76,78,79,80
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..137
in rear seat ..............................135
tether anchorage hardware ...138
Cleaning your vehicle ...............227
engine compartment ..............228
exterior .............................228,230exterior lamps .........................230
interior .....................................231
plastic parts ............................230
washing ....................................227
waxing .....................................228
wheels ......................................229
windows ..................................232
wiper blades ............................230
woodtone trim ........................232
Compass, electronic ....................90
calibration .................................92
set zone adjustment .................91
Console ...............................101,102
overhead ...............................87,88
rear ..........................................102
Controls
power seat ........................116,118
Coolant ......................................201
checking and adding ..............199
refill capacities ........................201
Defrost
rear window ..............................31
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................205
Driving under special
conditions ...........................156,159
sand ..................................156,158
snow and ice ......155,157,158,160
through water ..................156,158
Emission control system ..........221
Engine
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................6
coolant .....................................199
idle speed control ...................206
service points ...................193,194
starting after a collision .........169
Engine block heater .................141
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............196
dipstick ....................................194
specifications ...................194,196
Index
242

economy button ........................17
english/metric button ...............16
reset button ..............................17
system check button ...........17,18
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................98
cleaning ...................................232
heated ......................................101
side view mirrors (power) .....101
Moon roof ....................................89
Motorcraft parts ........................217
Octane rating ............................215
Odometer .....................................13
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................106
Parking brake ............................144
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................175
Power door locks ......................100
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....201
Radio ...34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,
43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,
54,55,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,
66,67,68,69
Relays ........................................170
Remote entry system .......105,113,
114,115
illuminated entry ....................109
locking/unlocking doors .........106
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................109
replacing the batteries ...........108
Reverse sensing system .............32
Roof rack ...................................167
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............11
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts .125,231
extension assembly ................124
for children .............................132warning light and chime ...11,124
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ......119,120,121,122,123
Seats ..........................................116
child safety seats ....................133
cleaning ............................230,231
memory seat ...........................107
Servicing your vehicle ..............191
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs, specifications .......233
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .235
Speed control ..............................81
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle .........139,141
jump starting ............183,184,186
Steering wheel ............................86
tilting .........................................85
Tachometer .................................13
Tires ....................................209,210
changing ...........................178,179
checking the pressure ............210
replacing ..................................211
rotating ....................................210
snow tires and chains ............212
tire grades ...............................210
treadwear ................................209
Towing ..................163,165,166,167
recreational towing .................167
wrecker ....................................189
Traction-lok rear axle ...............160
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................205
Transmission ......................146,203
automatic operation ...............146
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ......................203,204
Trip odometer .............................13
Index
244

Item Information
Recommended fuel Unleaded fuel only - 87 octane
Fuel tank capacity 78.7L (20.8 gallons)
Engine oil capacity (includes filter
change)4.7L (5.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
5W30 Super Premium Motor Oil,
Ford specification WSS-M2C153-G.
Tire size and pressure See Safety Compliance
Certification Label on inside of
driver door.
Hood release Pull handle under the instrument
panel.
Coolant capacity-(4.0L SOHC V6
engine)
113.2L (14.0 quarts)
Coolant capacity (5.0L V8 engine)
114.9L (15.7 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line on reservoir. Use
Motorcraft MERCONtAT F.
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4R70W with 5.0L V8
engine AWD)
2
13.1L (13.9 quarts). Use
Motorcraft MERCONtV ATF.
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4x2 vehicles with 5R55E
and 4.0L SOHC V6 engine)
2
9.5L (10.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
MERCONtV ATF.
Automatic transmission fluid
capacity (4x4 vehicles with 5R55E
and 4.0L SOHC V6 engine)
2
9.8L (10.3 quarts). Use Motorcraft
MERCONtV ATF.
1If your engine coolant is green in color, use Ford Premium Cooling
System Fluid. If your engine coolant is orange in color, use Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant. Refer toAdding engine coolant, in the
Maintenance and Care chapter.
2Ensure correct automatic transmission fluid is used for a specific
application. Check the container to verify the fluid is MERCONtand/or
MERCONtV approved. Some fluids have been approved as meeting both
MERCONtand MERCONtV requirements and will be labeled as such.
Fluids labeled as meeting only MERCONtor only MERCONtV
requirements must not be used interchangeably. DO NOT mix MERCONt
and MERCONtV. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the
dipstick or on the dipstick handle. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance
Guide to determine the correct service interval.
Filling station information
248