engine coolant Mercury Mountaineer 2003 s User Guide

When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the“cold fill level”or within the“cold
fill range”as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
•Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
Maintenance and Specifications
220

Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (VC-7–B in Oregon), meeting Ford
Specification WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44–D
with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Speciality Orange
Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product with your
factory filled coolant can result in degraded corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the“cold full”level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
Maintenance and Specifications
221

To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the“cold fill range”or the“cold full”level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Maintenance and Specifications
222

Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than–36°C[–34°F]), it
may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate freeze protection.
Never increase the engine coolant concentration above 60%
(protection to–60°F). At a level over 60%, your engine could overheat
and become damaged.
If you drive in extremely hot climates, it is still necessary to maintain the
coolant concentration at 50/50 coolant and water.Do not allow the
coolant concentration to fall below 40% coolant.At a concentration
less than 40%, the corrosion protection to your engine and cooling
components may be compromised and permanent damage may result.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (4.6L V8 engine only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The“fail-safe”distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
and thesymbol
will illuminate.
•The“Service Engine Soon”
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
Maintenance and Specifications
223

When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
Maintenance and Specifications
224

condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
•4.0L SOHC V6 engine
•4.6L V8 engine
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
Maintenance and Specifications
236

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine coolant
3Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)4.0L SOHC V6
enginewithout
auxiliary climate
control15.4L (16.3
quarts)
4.0L SOHC V6
enginewith
auxiliary climate
control17.2L (18.2
quarts)
4.6L V8 engine
without
auxiliary climate
control17.6L (18.6
quarts)
4.6L V8 engine
withauxiliary
climate control19.0L (20.1
quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4/AWD
vehicles1.3L (1.4
quarts)
Rear axle
lubricant
4Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantConventional
Axle1.7L (3.5 pints)
Limited Slip
Axle
51.5L (4.2 pints)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll vehicles 4.0L (4.2
quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
Maintenance and Specifications
245

2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be checked by a qualified
technician.
3Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
4All rear axles are filled with Motorcraft SAE 75W-140 High Performance
Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant, part number XY—75W140–QL or
equivalent meeting Ford Specification WSL-M2C192–A.
5Limited Slip differentials must add 118ml (4oz) of additive Friction
Modifier XL—3 or equivalent meeting Ford Specification EST-M2C118–A
to the rear axle whenever the axle has been serviced.
6Use of sythetic or sythetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil
need only meet the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C153–H
and the API Certification mark.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Body hinges,
latches, door
striker plates
and rotors, seat
tracks, fuel filler
door hinge and
spring, hood
latch, auxiliary
latch, seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
Grease or
Multi-Purpose
Grease SprayXG—4 or XL-5ESR-M1C159-A
or
ESB-M1C93–B
Hydraulic brake
fluidMotorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1ESA-M6C25-A,
DOT 3
Driveshaft, slip
spline, universal
jointsPremium Long
Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Maintenance and Specifications
246

ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7–A WSS-M97B51-A1
4.0L Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSPWSS-M2C205_A
with API
Certification
Mark
4.6L Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)
XO -5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)WSS-M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
Automatic
transmission
1
Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONV
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCON
Multi-Purpose
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Ford
conventional and
Traction-Lok
rear axles75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
2
XY-75W140–QL WSL-M2C192–A
Front axle
(AWD)Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantXY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197-A
Maintenance and Specifications
247

A
Accessory delay ..........................55
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................120, 124
and child safety seats ............122
description ......................120, 124
disposal ....................................128
driver air bag ..................122, 126
indicator light .................124, 127
operation .........................122, 126
passenger air bag ...........122, 126
Air cleaner filter .......................243
Air conditioning ..........................32
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................155
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................219
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................146
Anti-theft system ........................94
arming the system ....................94
disarming a triggered system ..95
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................17, 21, 25
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................150
fluid, adding ............................237
fluid, checking ........................237
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specification ..................248
Auxiliary power point .................53
Axle
lubricant specifications ..246, 248
refill capacities ........................244
B
Battery .......................................217acid, treating emergencies .....217
jumping a disabled battery ....183
maintenance-free ....................217
replacement, specifications ...243
servicing ..................................217
BeltMinder .................................116
Brakes ........................................145
anti-lock ...................................146
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................146
fluid, checking and adding ....237
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specifications .........246, 248
lubricant specifications ..246, 248
parking ....................................146
shift interlock ..........................148
C
Calculating load ........................157
Capacities for refilling fluids ....244
Cargo cover .................................80
Cassette tape player ...................17
CD-single premium ...............21, 25
Cell phone use ............................50
Certification Label ....................250
Changing a tire .........................176
Child safety restraints ..............129
child safety belts ....................129
Child safety seats ......................131
attaching with tether straps ..135
in front seat ............................133
in rear seat ..............................133
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............201
instrument panel ....................203
interior .....................................204
interior trim ............................204
Index
Index
256