four wheel drive Mercury Mountaineer 2009 s User Guide

Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
WARNING:Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive
vehicles arenotdesigned 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. Avoid sharp turns, excessive
speed and abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive
cautiously could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), the system indicator light may illuminate depending on
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Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle
is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS), apply the
brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of
this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock
brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of AWD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
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•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example; bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA fuel economy estimates
Every new vehicle should have a window sticker containing EPA fuel
economy estimates. Contact your authorized dealer if the window sticker
is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA fuel economy estimates
should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons with other
vehicles. Your fuel economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed inscheduled maintenance information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed inscheduled maintenance
informationare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
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undercoating material. If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, your vehicle
has two driveshafts, one connected to the rear axle and one connected
to the front axle.
AIR FILTER
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the air filter element
listed. Refer toMotorcraft part numbersin this chapter.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or
personal burn injuries do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
Changing the air filter element
•4.0L Engine
•4.6L Engine
1. Release the clamps that secure the air filter housing cover.
2. Carefully separate the two halves of the air filter housing.
3. Remove the air filter element from the air filter housing.
4. Wipe the air filter housing and cover clean to remove any dirt or
debris and to ensure good sealing.
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refill capacities ........................372
service points ..................338–339
starting after a collision .........294
Engine block heater .................264
Engine oil ..................................342
checking and adding ..............342
dipstick ....................................342
filter, specifications ........345, 371
recommendations ...................345
refill capacities ........................372
specifications ..........................372
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................264
F
Fail safe cooling ........................354
Family entertainment system ....46
Floor mats .................................135
Fluid capacities .........................372
Fog lamps ....................................86
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................285
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................275
Fuel ............................................355
calculating fuel
economy ..........................122, 361
cap ...........................................357
capacity ...................................372
choosing the right fuel ...........359
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................364
detergent in fuel .....................360
filler funnel .............................360
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................355, 357, 361
filter, specifications ........355, 371
fuel pump shut-off switch .....294improving fuel economy ........361
octane rating ...................359, 377
quality ......................................359
running out of fuel .........313, 360
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................355
Fuses ..................................295–296
G
Garage door opener ..................100
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............357
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................361
Gauges .........................................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................253
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................253
H
Hazard flashers .........................293
Headlamps ...................................85
aiming ........................................87
bulb specifications ....................90
daytime running lights .............86
flash to pass ..............................87
high beam .................................86
turning on and off ....................85
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................78, 80
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................114
Hood ..........................................337
How to get going ........................19
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