Mercury 1999 Mountaineer User manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 19
Seating and safety restraints 113
Starting and driving
Starting 136
Driving 140
Roadside emergencies 166
Servicing
Maintenance and care 187
Capacities and specifications 228
Customer assistance 236
Reporting safety defects 248
Index 249
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including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval
system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright r1998 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a safety alert. Read the
following section on Warnings.
Indicates vehicle information related
to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
Indicates a message regarding child
safety restraints. Refer to Seating
and safety restraints for more
information.
Indicates that this Owner Guide
contains information on this subject.
Please refer to the Index to locate
the appropriate section which will
provide you more information.
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information which may reduce the risk of personal
injury and prevent possible damage to others, your vehicle and its
equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
Introduction
2

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing.
Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring
obligation.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of utility type vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner’s Guide carefully.
Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an
accident.
Be sure to read Driving off road in the Driving chapter as well as the
“Four Wheeling” supplement included with 4WD and utility type vehicles.
Using your vehicle as a snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.
Your vehicle is not equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation
package.
Introduction
3

km/h
RPM x 1000
0
1
2
3
456
H
C
F
E
OFF
0
20
10
30
40
50 60 70
80
90
110
200
000000
oooo
100
20
40
60
80 100 120
140
160
180
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
H
H
L
RSM
SET
ACC
COAST
OFF
ON
SRS
Headlamp
control
(pg. 20)
Instrument panel
dimmer switch
(pg. 21)
Tilt steering wheel lever
(pg. 85)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer control
(pg. 85)
Driver side air bag
(pg. 125)
Instrument cluster
(pg. 6)
Speed control
(pg. 81)
Instrumentation
4

OFF
REW
1
FF
2
SIDE 1-2
3
FM 1
VOL – PUSH ON
AM
FM BASS TREB BAL FADE
AUTO
SET
CLK
SEEK
TUNE
DISCS
SCAN
4
DOLBY SYSTEM
EJ TAPE CD
COMP
5
SHUFFLE
6
PUSH
OD
ON/OFF
OFF ON
R. WIPE
• A/C
• MAX
A/C
Rear window
defroster control
(pg. 31)
Rear
window/washer
control
(pg. 86)
Fog lamp control
(pg. 20)
Electronic sound system
(pg. 34)
Climate controls
(pg. 87)
Gearshift (includes
overdrive button)
(pg. 149)
Instrumentation
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System
(OBD II). This OBD II system protects the environment by ensuring that
your vehicle continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD
II system also assists the service technician in properly servicing your
vehicle.
The Check Engine indicator light illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the
engine is started, one of the engine’s emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern
being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
What you should do if the check engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause your Check Engine light to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
C
0
1
2
3
456
RPMx1000
ABS
!
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
E
F
HH
H
PRN D 2 1 THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
O/D
OFF
L
L
10 MPH
20
50
60 70
30
40
80
90
km/h
0 0 0
101
00
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0
40
60
80 100
120
140
160
180
20
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
CHECK
SUSP
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
6

3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening
the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other
temporary malfunctions present, the Check Engine light should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If the Check Engine light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Fuel reset
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
fuel pump shut-off switch has been
triggered. For more information,
refer to Fuel pump shut-off switch
in the Roadside emergencies chapter.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
FUEL
RESET
Instrumentation
7

Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to remind you to fasten your safety
belts. For more information, refer to
the Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. If the brake
warning lamp does not illuminate at
this time, seek service immediately.
Also illuminates when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. If the light
remains on, continues to flash or
fails to illuminate, have the system
serviced immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system
is disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning
light also remains illuminated with parking brake released.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer to Exterior bulbs in the Maintenance and care
chapter.
!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
8

High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer to SecuriLockypassive
anti-theft system in the Controls
and features chapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Check gage
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high, the engine oil
pressure is low or the fuel gauge is
at or near empty. The ignition must
be in the ON position for this lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also
illuminate for several seconds after the ignition is turned to the ON
position. Refer to Engine coolant temperature gauge, Engine oil
pressure gauge or Fuel gauge in this chapter for more information.
Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON.
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is engaged. If the light continues
to flash have the system serviced.
THEFT
CHECK
GAGE
4WD
LOW
Instrumentation
9

Four wheel drive high (if equipped)
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON.
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
high is engaged. If the light
continues to flash have the system
serviced.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON or START position and any
door is open.
O/D off
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and
transmission control switch has
been pushed. When the light is on,
the transmission does not shift into
overdrive. If the light does not come on when the transmission control
switch is depressed or if the light flashes when you are driving, have
your vehicle serviced.
Check air suspension (if equipped)
Illuminates momentarily when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is OFF. The light
also illuminates when the air
suspension system requires
servicing.
For information, refer to Air suspension system in the Driving chapter.
Speed control
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is
4WD
HIGH
DOOR
AJAR
O/D
OFF
CHECK
SUSP
SPEED
CONT
Instrumentation
10

pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to the Seating
and safety restraints chapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to the Seating and
safety restraints chapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and the driver’s door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and the driver’s door is opened.
GAUGES
C
0
1
2
3
456
RPMx1000
ABS
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
E
F
HH
H
PRN D 2 1 THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
O/D
OFF
L
L
10 MPH
20
50
60 70
30
40
80
90
km/h
0 0 0
101
00
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0
40
60
80 100
120
140
160
180
20
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
!
BRAKE
CHECK
SUSP
Instrumentation
11

Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the “H” and “C”). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer to Engine
coolant in the Maintenance and
care chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
10 MPH
20
50
60 70
30
40
80
90
km/h
0 0 0
101
00
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0
40
60
80 100
120
140
160
180
20
C
H
Instrumentation
12

Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
Trip odometer
Registers the kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys. To reset,
depress the control.
Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
10 MPH
20
50
60 70
30
40
80
90
km/h
0 0 0
101
00
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0
40
60
80 100
120
140
160
180
20
10 MPH
20
50
60 70
30
40
80
90
km/h
0 0 0
101
00
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0
40
60
80 100
120
140
160
180
20
0
1
2
3
456
RPMx1000
Instrumentation
13

Battery voltage gauge
This gauge shows the battery
voltage when the ignition is in the
ON position. If the pointer moves
and stays outside the normal
operating range (as indicated), have
the vehicle’s electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle remains
in the normal range (the area
between the “L” and “H”).
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer to Engine
oil in the Maintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified technician.
L
H
H
L
Instrumentation
14

Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF position while
the vehicle is being refueled. When
the gauge first indicates empty,
there is a small amount of reserve
fuel in the tank. When refueling the
vehicle from empty indication, the
amount of fuel that can be added will be less than the advertised
capacity due to the reserve fuel.
The FUEL DOOR icon and arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the
fuel filler door is located.
MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the ON position,
the message center displays
important vehicle information
through a constant monitor of
vehicle systems. You may select
display features on the message
center for a display of status
preceded by a brief indicator chime.
The system will also notify you of
potential vehicle problems with a
display of system warnings.
E
F
ENGLISH
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK OIL CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
15

Selectable features
English/metric display
Press to toggle the message center
display between metric or English
units.
Fuel range
Press once to display the
approximate kilometers (miles) left
to drive before the fuel tank is
empty.
Press again to display the distance
driven since this function was last
manually reset.
For maximum accuracy of this
display feature, the ignition should
be in the OFF position during
fueling. The display FUEL LEVEL ERROR indicates a problem with the
fuel indication system. See your dealer or qualified service technician for
system maintenance.
Fuel status
Press once to display the
approximate amount of fuel
remaining in the fuel tank.
Press again to display the
approximate amount of fuel used
since the system was last reset.
ENGLISH/
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK
OIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK
OIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK
OIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
16

Fuel economy
Press to display your vehicle’s
average fuel economy in liters/100
km or (miles/gallons).
Reset
Press the reset control to reset the
current feature being displayed.
Warnings, distance driven, average
fuel economy, fuel used and
personalized oil reset percentage are
the only features that respond to
reset.
System check
Press the system check control to
display the status of the following
systems:
•engine oil life left
•engine oil level
•voltage level
•engine coolant temperature
•washer fluid level
•fuel level
ENGLISH/
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK
OIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK
OIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK
OIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
17

The engine oil life left has two phases. The first display will indicate the
oil change status (OK, SOON, REQUIRED). The second display will
indicate the percentage of oil life remaining. The display OIL TEMP
SIGNAL ERROR indicates a problem with the system. Following this
display, contact your dealer or qualified service technician for system
maintenance.
Operating the message center during system check
The message center controls can be operated as follows during the
system check sequence:
1. Press the system check controls to advance to the next display.
2. Press the reset control to immediately conclude the system check.
3. Press the range, fuel status or fuel economy control to conclude the
system check and display the requested feature.
4. Press the metric/English control to conclude the system check and
change the previous display to the new mode.
5. Press the oil change reset control to conclude the system check and
begin the oil change reset procedure.
An oil change is recommended whenever indicated by the message
center. Use only recommended engine oils.
The message center will tell you the percent of oil life left during system
check. This percentage is based on your driving history and the time
since your last oil change. In order to ensure accurate oil life left
indications, you should only perform the following procedure after you
have the oil changed.
Oil change reset
Press the OIL CHANGE RESET
control to reset the oil life feature to
100% (or your personalized oil reset
percentage) (at optimal driving
conditions, 100% oil life is
equivalent to a maximum of 12 000
kilometers [7 500 miles]). After you
have the oil changed, you must
press and hold the OIL CHANGE
RESET control for five seconds. The
message center will count down for
five seconds. After a successful reset, the message center will display
ENGLISH/
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK
OIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
18

OIL LIFE RESET TO 100%. (If you have established a personalized oil
reset percentage, the display will show that percentage instead of 100%.)
This reset procedure should be performed only after an oil change to
ensure accurate oil life indications.
Your personalized oil reset percentage allows you to establish a smaller
oil change interval than the manufacturer’s recommended interval. To
establish your personalized oil reset percentage:
1. Press and hold the OIL CHANGE RESET control and press the RESET
control while the display is still counting down the 5 seconds to reset.
The display will change to START OIL LIFE AT XXX%.
2. Press the OIL CHANGE RESET control until the displayed percentage
is the personalized oil reset percentage you desire. Your choices are
100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40% and 30%.
3. Press the RESET control to
complete the procedure. Pressing
any control other than RESET or
OIL CHANGE RESET will abort this
procedure and will not establish
your new personalized oil reset
percentage.
When your personalized oil reset
percentage has been established, it
will be used beginning with the
completion of your next OIL CHANGE RESET procedure.
ENGLISH/
METRIC
RANGE
STATUS ECON RESET SYSTEM
CHECK
OIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
19

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control to the
first position to turn on the parking
lamps. Rotate to the second position
to also turn on the headlamps.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
Turn on the low-beam headlamps
and press the foglamp control to
activate the foglamps. The foglamp
control will illuminate when the
foglamps are on.
Press the foglamp control a second time to deactivate the foglamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
•the engine must be running and
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position.
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 forward to activate.
OFF
Controls and features
20