vehicle loading Mercury Mountaineer 2010 s Service Manual

RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow this guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing. An
example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
controlschapter for more information.
All vehicles:Do not tow your vehicle with any wheels on the ground, as
vehicle or transmission damage may occur. It is recommended to tow
your vehicle with all four (4) wheels off the ground such as when using a
car-hauling trailer. Otherwise, no recreational towing is permitted.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, seeWrecker
towingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Electronic Stability
Control system, which include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter).
The Electronic Stability Control system may be deactivated in certain
situations. See theSwitching Off AdvanceTracwith RSCsection
following.
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC)
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC) may help to maintain roll stability of the
vehicle during adverse maneuvers. RSCoperates by detecting the
vehicle’s roll motion and the rate at which it changes and by applying the
brakes to one or more wheels individually.
During an event that activates the Roll Stability Control™ (RSC)the
“sliding car” icon
in the instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Roll Stability
Control™ system, which include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
The Roll Stability Control™ system may be deactivated in certain
situations. See theSwitching Off AdvanceTracwith RSCsection
following.
Driving
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WARNING:Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity,
may handle differently than unloaded vehicles. Do not overload
your vehicle and use extra precautions, such as driving at slower
speeds, avoiding abrupt steering changes and allowing for increased
stopping distance, when driving a heavily loaded vehicle. Over-loading
or loading the vehicle improperly can deteriorate handling capability
and contribute to loss of vehicle control and vehicle rollover.
BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal pressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to off, then remove the key.
2. Remove the rubber pad at the
bottom of the cup holder to locate
the access cap of the floor shifter
assembly.
3. Using a screwdriver (or
equivalent), remove the access
panel and depress the shifter lever
on the shift mechanism.
4. Apply the brake and shift into N
(Neutral).
5. Return the cover plug to the console access hole. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
Driving
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CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensor, refer toChanging tires with TPMSin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as
soon as possible.
WARNING:The use of tire sealants may damage your Tire
Pressure Monitoring System and should not be used.
WARNING:Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for important
information. If the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it
will no longer function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
WARNING:Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Note:Turn off the power running boards (if equipped) before driving
with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. Refer toRunning boardsin the
Driver Controlschapter.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
Roadside Emergencies
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The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in miles or kilometers).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Calculation 2:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
Maintenance and Specifications
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How to get going ........................28
I
Ignition ...............................261, 376
Illuminated visor mirror ...........110
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................209
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................365
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................331
cluster ........................................12
J
Jack ....................................302, 305
positioning .......................302, 307
storage .............................302, 305
Jump-starting your vehicle ......312
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...........................141, 143
keypad .....................................152
locking and unlocking doors ..153
programming entry code .......152
Keys ...........................................155
positions of the ignition .........261
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................101
daytime running light ...............97
fog lamps ...................................97
headlamps .................................96
interior lamps .........................100replacing bulbs .......................105
LATCH anchors .........................213
Liftgate ......................................138
remote release ........................148
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........267
Load limits .................................246
Loading instructions .................253
Locks
autolock ...........................141, 143
childproof ................................146
doors ........................................141
Lubricant specifications ...........371
Lug nuts ....................................311
Luggage rack .............................139
Lumbar support, seats .....161, 163
M
Manual transmission
lubricant specifications ..........371
Message center ...........................19
english/metric button ...............25
system check button ................25
warning messages .....................25
Mirrors ...............................115–116
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................115
fold away .................................116
heated ......................................116
side view mirrors (power) .....116
Moon roof ..................................123
Motorcraft parts ........333, 354, 370
N
Navigation system .......................88
Index
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heated ..............................165–166
memory seat ...................148, 163
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................152
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................154
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................34
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................42
Snowplowing .................................6
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............204
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................370, 376
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............6
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................371
Speed control ............................118
Starting your
vehicle ........................261–262, 264
jump starting ..........................312
Steering wheel
controls ....................................121
tilting .......................................109
SYNC..........................................88
T
Third-row power fold seat .......173
Tilt steering wheel ....................109
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........302Tires, Wheels and Loading ....241
Warning Displays ................12, 25
Tires ...........................226–228, 302
alignment ................................235
care ..........................................231
changing ..........................302, 307
checking the pressure ............231
inflating ...................................229
label .........................................240
replacing ..........................232, 307
rotating ....................................235
safety practices .......................234
sidewall information ...............236
snow tires and cables .............246
spare tire .................302, 305–306
terminology .............................228
tire grades ...............................227
treadwear ........................227, 231
Towing .......................................254
recreational towing .................260
trailer towing ..........................254
wrecker ....................................318
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................368
Transmission .............................277
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....276
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................367
fluid, refill capacities ..............371
lubricant specifications ..........371
Turn signal ................................100
U
Universal garage door
opener ........................................124
USB port ......................................50
Index
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V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................377
Vehicle loading ..........................246
Ventilating your vehicle ...........264
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................339Water, Driving through .............291
Windows ....................................148
power .......................................113
rear wiper/washer ...................109
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ........................................108
checking and adding fluid .....339
liftgate reservoir .....................339
replacing wiper blades ...........340
Wrecker towing .........................318
Index
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