tow 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)

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
5

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Family Entertainment System
(FES). Refer to theDVD Supplement Guidefor further information on
your system.
RADIO FREQUENCIES
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM: 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM: 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CD/CD PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
Don’t:
•Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
•Insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer magazine.
•Clean using a circular motion.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Entertainment Systems
35

•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
For maximum cooling performance in panel (
) mode:
•Select MAX A/C mode. MAX A/C uses recirculated air with A/C to
provide a cooler airflow.
•Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust in order to
maintain comfort.
To allow side window defogging and demisting while warming up the
vehicle cabin:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows. To
increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
38

Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
air flow selector in the OFF or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
For maximum cooling performance:
•Select and A/C and recirculated air. Use recirculated air with A/C to
provide a cooler airflow.
•Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
To allow side window defogging and demisting while warming up the
vehicle cabin:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows. To
increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
41

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp system
The autolamp system sets the headlamps to turn on and off
automatically. The autolamp control, located on the headlamp control,
may be set to:
•turn on the lamps automatically at night
•turn off the lamps automatically during the daylight
•keep the lamps on for up to three minutes after the key is turned to
OFF.
To turn the autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise to
.
Foglamp control
The foglamps can be turned on only
when the headlamp control is in
the
,andposition and
the high beams are not turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
will illuminate
when foglamp is activated.
Push the headlamp control towards the instrument panel to deactivate
the foglamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
To activate DRL:
•the ignition must be in the ON position and
•the headlamp control is in the
orposition
•the parking brake must be disengaged.
A
A
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
44

Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull the lever toward you to
activate. Release the lever to
deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Move the control up and down to
adjust the intensity of the panel
lighting. Operates only when the
exterior lights are switched on.
Move the control to the full upright
position (past detent) to turn on the
interior lamps.
Move the control to the full down
position (past detent) to prevent interior lamps from illuminating when
the doors are opened.
INT2OFFOFFINT1
INT2OFFOFFINT1
A
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
45

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:Rotate the end
of the control away from you to
increase the speed of the wipers;
rotate towards you to decrease the
speed of the wipers.
Speed dependent wipers:When
the wiper control is on, the speed of
the wipers will automatically adjust
with the vehicle speed. The faster your vehicle is travelling the faster the
wipers will go.
Windshield washer:Push the end
of the stalk:
•briefly: causes a single swipe of
the wipers without washer fluid.
•a quick push and hold: the wipers will swipe three times with washer
fluid.
•a long push and hold: the wipers and washer fluid will be activated for
up to ten seconds.
Rear window wiper/washer controls
For rear wiper operation, rotate the
rear window wiper and washer
control to the desired position.
Select:
INT 1 — 3–4 second interval rear
wiper.
INT 2 — 8–10 second interval rear
wiper.
OFF — Rear wiper and washer off.
For rear wash cycle, rotate (and hold as desired) the rear wiper/washer
control to either
position.
From either position, the control will automatically return to the INT 2
or OFF position.
INT2OFFOFFINT1
INT1I
N
T
2OFFOFF
INT2OFFOFFINT1
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
55

Changing the wiper blades
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Turn the blade at an angle
from the wiper arm. Push the lock
pin manually to release the blade
and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once
per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can sometimes
be improved by cleaning the wiper
blades, refer toWindows and
wiper bladesin theCleaningchapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
TILT STEERING COLUMN
Pull the lever down to unlock the
steering column. While the lever is
in the down position, tilt the
steering column to its desired
orientation.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
56

Illuminated visor mirror
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamps.
Slide on rod feature
Rotate the visor towards the side
window and extend it rearward for
additional sunlight coverage.
Note:To stow the visor back into
the headliner, visor must be
retracted before moving it back
towards the windshield.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12VDC)
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only. Do not insert
any other object in the power outlet as this will damage the
outlet and blow the fuse. Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by your warranty.
The auxiliary power point is located
in the floor console.
Do not use the power point for
operating the cigarette lighter
element (if equipped).
To prevent the fuse from being
blown, do not use the power
point(s) over the vehicle capacity of
12 VDC/180W.
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not use the power
point longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
Always keep the power point caps closed when not being used.
Cigar/Cigarette lighter (if equipped)
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
60