tire pressure Mercury Mountaineer 2005 Owner's Manuals

Tires, Wheels and Loading 151
Tire Information 153
Tire Inflation 155
Changing tires 159
Lug Nut Torque 167
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 177
Vehicle loading 182
Trailer towing 189
Recreational towing 194
Driving 195
Starting 195
Brakes 198
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 201
Transmission operation 205
Roadside Emergencies 219
Getting roadside assistance 219
Hazard flasher switch 220
Fuel pump shut-off switch 220
Fuses and relays 221
Jump starting 231
Wrecker towing 237
Customer Assistance 238
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 246
Cleaning 247
Table of Contents
2
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Check gage:Illuminates when any
of the following conditions has
occurred:
•The engine coolant temperature
is high.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The fuel gauge is at or near empty.
Low tire warning (if equipped
with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System):Illuminates
when your tire pressure is low. If
the light remains on at start up or
while driving, the tire pressure should be checked. Refer toInspecting
and Inflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
When the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will illuminate for 3
seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn ON,
have the system inspected by your servicing dealership. For more
information on this system, refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure
Monitoring Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Electronic throttle control:
Illuminates when the engine has
defaulted to a ’limp-home’ operation.
Report the fault to a dealer at the
earliest opportunity.
CHECK
GAGE
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

Setup menu
Press this control for the following
displays:
•System Check
•Units (English/Metric)
•Autolock
•Easy Entry/Exit
•Autolamp Delay
•Oil Change
•Language
•AWD Lock (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTracwith RSC only)
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for three seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. FUEL LEVEL
2. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
3. OIL LIFE IN XX%
4. ADVTRAC
5. ENGINE TEMP
6. OIL PRESSURE
7. TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM (if equipped)
8. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
9. CHARGING SYSTEM
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
80

Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
•They will reappear on the display every minute from the reset.
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Temporary AWD lock (vehicles
equipped with AdvanceTrac

only)Displays for 4 seconds
AWD lock OFF AWD auto ON
(vehicles equipped with
AdvanceTrac
only)
Check engine temperature Warning returns after 10 minutes
Transmission overheated
Check transmission
Low fuel level
Check fuel cap
Check charging system
Low brake fluid level
Low oil pressure
Warning-tire very low (if
equipped)
ETC-engine failsafe mode
AWD disabled lock (vehicles
equipped with AdvanceTrac

with RSC only)
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
83

Warning display Status
Check tire pressure (if
equipped)Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to ON.
Tire pressure monitor fault (if
equipped)
Tire pressure sensor fault (if
equipped)
Check AdvanceTrac
(if
equipped)
Check AWD (vehicles equipped
with AdvanceTrac
with RSC
only)
AWD Disabled (vehicles
equipped with AdvanceTrac

with RSC only)
Low washer fluid level
Door ajar
Change oil soon
Oil change required
TEMPORARY AWD LOCK (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac

with RSC only).Displayed when the AWD system automatically locks
to prevent damage from overheating.
AWD LOCK OFF and AWD AUTO ON (vehicles equipped with
AdvanceTrac
with RSC only).Displayed when the AWD system is
completely cooled down from being overheated.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Refer toTransmission fluidin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer for transmission service as soon as possible.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
84

CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
AWD DISABLED LOCK (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac

with RSC only).Displayed when the AWD system begins to overheat
placing itself in the autolock mode. If the warning stays on or continues
to come on, contact your dealer as soon as safely possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
ETC-ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE.Displayed when the engine has
defaulted to a “limp-home” operation. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE.Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If
this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
WARNING-TIRE VERY LOW (if equipped).Displayed when one or
more road tires on your vehicle have very low pressure. When this
warning message is displayed, a warning chime will sound reminding you
to stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible to check your tires for
proper air pressure, leaks and damage. Refer toInspecting and
Inflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE (if equipped).Displayed when one or more
tires on your vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInspecting and
Inflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT (if equipped).Displayed when
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, have the system inspected by your
servicing dealership.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
85

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT (if equipped).Displayed when a
tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For
more information on how the system operates under these conditions,
refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your servicing
dealership.
LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
CHECK ADVANCETRAC
(if equipped).Displayed when the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC system is not operating properly. If this message
is displayed on the message center the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system
will be partially operable. If this warning stays on while the engine is
running, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toAdvanceTrac
stability enhancement systemin
theDrivingchapter.
AWD DISABLED (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
with RSC
only).Displayed for 4 seconds then SEE OWNER’S MANUAL will
display indicating that the AWD system is not operating properly. For
further information, refer toDisabling AWDin theDrivingchapter. See
your dealer as soon as possible
CHECK AWD (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
with RSC
only).Displayed when the AWD system is not operating properly. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer
immediately.
DOOR AJAR.Displayed when a door or liftgate is not completely
closed.
CHANGE OIL SOON/OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Displayed when the
engine oil life remaining is 5 percent or less. When oil life left is between
5% and 0%, the CHANGE OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
86

Glossary of tire terminology
•Safety Compliance Certification Label:A label showing the OE
(Original Equipment) tire sizes, recommended inflation pressure and
the maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
•Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of
each tire providing information about the tire brand and
manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manufacture.
•Inflation pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
•Standard load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing
the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tire’s
load carrying capability.
•Extra load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
heavier maximum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase
the tire’s load carrying capability.
•kPa:Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
•PSI:Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
•Cold inflation pressure:The tire pressure when the vehicle has
been stationary and out of direct sunlight for an hour or more and
prior to the vehicle being driven for 1 mile (1.6 km).
•Recommended inflation pressure:The cold inflation pressure found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the B-Pillar or
the edge of the driver’s door.
•B-pillar:The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the
front door.
•Bead area of the tire:Area of the tire next to the rim.
•Sidewall of the tire:Area between the bead area and the tread.
•Tread area of the tire:Area of the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when mounted on the vehicle.
•Rim:The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated.
INSPECTING AND INFLATING YOUR TIRES
Safe operation of your vehicle requires that your tires are properly
inflated. Remember that a tire can lose up to half of its air pressure
without appearing flat.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
155

Every day before you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to check
pressure of all tires and adjust if
required.
At least once a month and before
long trips, inspect each tire and
check the tire pressure with a tire
gauge (including spare, if equipped).
Inflate all tires to the inflation
pressure recommended by Ford
Motor Company.
Inspecting your tires
Periodically inspect the tire treads for uneven or excessive wear and
remove stones, nails, glass or other objects that may be wedged in the
tread grooves. Check for holes or cuts that may permit air leakage from
the tire and make necessary repairs.
Also inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If
internal damage to the tire is suspected, have the tire demounted and
inspected in case it needs to be repaired or replaced. For your safety,
tires that are damaged should not be used because they are more likely
to blow out or fail. Tires can be damaged during off-road use, so
inspection after off-road use is also recommended.
Inflating your tires
When checking the air pressure in your tires, make sure that you
carefully attach the air pressure gauge/air hose to the tire’s valve
stem directly on top of the valve stem. If you bend the valve stem, it
may become damaged and cause an air leak.
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare
(if equipped), at least monthly and before long trips. You are strongly
urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station
gauges may be inaccurate. Ford recommends the use of a digital or dial
type tire pressure gauge rather than a stick type tire pressure gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear. Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
156

Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failures and
may result in severe tire cracking, tread separation orblowout,
with unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased risk of injury.
Under-inflation increases sidewall flexing and rolling resistance,
resulting in heat buildup and internal damage to the tire. It also may
result in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of vehicle control
and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not
appear to be flat!
Always inflate your tires to the Ford recommended inflation pressure
even if it is less than the maximum inflation pressure information found
on the tire. The Ford recommended tire inflation pressure is found on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label which is located on the B-Pillar
or the edge of the driver’s door. Failure to follow the tire pressure
recommendations can cause uneven treadwear patterns and adversely
affect the way your vehicle handles.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressureis the tire manufactures’
maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at which the
maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is normally
higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure
which can be found on either the Safety Compliance Certification Label
which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The cold
inflation pressure should never be set lower than the recommended
pressure on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also
change. A 10° F (6° C) temperature drop can cause a corresponding
drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check your tire pressures
frequently and adjust them to the proper pressure which can be found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
If you are checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, (i.e. driven more
than 1 mile [1.6 km]), never “bleed” or reduce air pressure. The tires are
hot from driving and it is normal for pressures to increase above
recommended cold pressures. A hot tire at or below recommended cold
inflation pressure could be significantly under-inflated.
To check the pressure in your tire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool, meaning they are not hot from driving
even a mile.
Note:If you have to drive a distance to get air for your tire(s), check
and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air pressure
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
157