tires Mercury Mountaineer 2007 Owner's Manuals

Seating and Safety Restraints 142
Seating 142
Safety restraints 154
Airbags 170
Child restraints 184
Tires, Wheels and Loading 200
Tire information 202
Tire inflation 204
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 217
Vehicle loading 221
Trailer towing 228
Recreational towing 233
Driving 235
Starting 235
Brakes 239
Traction Control™/AdvanceTrac
241
Transmission operation 246
Roadside Emergencies 264
Getting roadside assistance 264
Hazard flasher switch 266
Fuel pump shut-off switch 266
Fuses and relays 268
Changing tires 275
Lug nut torque 284
Jump starting 284
Wrecker towing 290
Customer Assistance 292
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 298
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 299
Cleaning 300
Table of Contents
2
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

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. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered by
your vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, refer to theWarranty
Guidethat is provided to you along with yourOwner’s Guide.
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
Please read the sectionAirbag supplemental restraint system
(SRS)in theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter. Failure to
follow the specific warnings and instructions could result in personal
injury.
Front seat mounted rear-facing child or infant seats should
NEVERbe placed in front of an active passenger airbag.
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
6

Engine coolant temperature:
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as possible, switch
off the engine and let cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and Specifications
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Low tire pressure warning:
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
toInflating 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 authorized dealer. For more information on
this system, refer toUnderstanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring
Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Service
engine soon warning light to come
on. Refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specifications
chapter.
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
O/D off:Illuminates when the
overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off,
refer to theDrivingchapter.
O/D
OFF
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
15

Warning display Status
Liftgate/glass ajar Warning returns after the condition
has cleared then reoccurs within the
same ignition ON-OFF cycle. Clear objects by pass seat
Check charging system
Low tire pressure
Tire monitor fault
Tire sensor fault
DOOR AJAR.Displayed when a door is not completely closed.
CLEAR OBJECTS BY PASS SEAT.Displayed when objects are by the
passenger seat. After the objects are moved away from the seat, if the
warning stays on or continues to come on contact your authorized
dealer.
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 soon 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.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the manual park brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the park brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped).Displayed when the transmission is
in R (Reverse) and the Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse Sensing System (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE MONITOR FAULT.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 authorized dealer.
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
119

TIRE SENSOR FAULT.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 theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK HEADLAMP.Displayed when the headlamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
CHECK HIGHBEAM LAMP.Displayed when the highbeam lamps are
activated and at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon
as possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing
headlamp bulbsin theLightschapter.
CHECK TURN LAMP.Displayed when the turn lamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW.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.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 0%.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON.Displayed when the engine oil life
reaches 5% or less of the Oil Life Start Value.
LIFTGATE/GLASS AJAR.Displayed when the liftgate or the liftgate
glass is not completely closed.
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
120

Note:Do not use the running boards, front and rear hinge assemblies,
running board motors, or the running board under body mounts to lift
the vehicle with the jack, refer toChanging tiresin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
In extreme climates, excessive ice buildup may occur, causing
the running boards not to deploy. Be sure that the running
boards have deployed, and have finished moving before attempting to
step on them. Note: The running boards will resume normal function
once the blockage is cleared.
Turn off the running boards before working under the vehicle,
jacking, or placing any object under the vehicle. Never place
your hand in the hinge assemblies. A moving running board may cause
injury
POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
Do not install additional floor mats on top of the factory installed
floor mats as they may interfere with the accelerator or the
brake pedals.
Position the driver floor mat so that
the eyelet is over the pointed end of
the retention post and rotate
forward to lock in. Make sure that
the mat does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator or the
brake pedal. To remove the floor
mat, reverse the installation
procedure.
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
122

NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not designed
for cornering at speeds as high as
passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed
to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions.
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt. All occupants must
wear seat belts and children/infants must use appropriate restraints to
minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study yourOwner’s Guideand any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD Systems (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when selected) has the ability to
use all four wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may
enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
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USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
200

Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case or power
transfer unit. 4WD vehicles allow you to select different drive modes as
necessary. Information on transfer case operation and shifting procedures
can be found in theDrivingchapter. Information on transfer case
maintenance can be found in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. You should become thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4WD
while the vehicle is moving can cause a momentary clunk and ratcheting
sound. These sounds are normal as the front drivetrain comes up to
speed and is not cause for concern.
Do not become overconfident in the ability of 4WD and AWD
vehicles. Although a 4WD or AWD vehicle may accelerate better
than two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction situations, it won’t stop
any faster than two-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive at a safe speed.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
SUV and trucks can differ from
some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may
be:
•Higher – to allow higher load
carrying capacity and to allow it
to travel over rough terrain
without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
•Shorter – to give it the capability
to approach inclines and drive
over the crest of a hill without
getting hung up or damaging
underbody components. All other
things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs than a vehicle with a longer
wheelbase.
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
201

•Narrower — to provide greater
maneuverability in tight spaces,
particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensional
differences, SUV’s and trucks often
will have a higher center of gravity
and a greater difference in center of
gravity between the loaded and
unloaded condition.
These differences that make your
vehicle so versatile also make it
handle differently than an ordinary
passenger car.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you
the following information about tire grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
202

government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service, but they
must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
•Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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