1997 Mercury Mountaineer lock

drive over terrain and road
conditions that a conventional
two-wheel drive vehicle can't.
Power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. On
4WD vehicles the transfer case
allows you to select 4WD when
necessary. Information on transfer
case operation, shifting procedures
and maintenance can be found in
your ªOwner's Guide.º You should
become thoroughly familiar with
this information before you operate
your vehicle.
Normal characteristics
²On some 4WD models, the initial
shift from two-wheel drive to
4x4 while the vehicle is moving
can cause some momentary
clunk and ratcheting sounds.
This is the front drivetrain
coming up to speed and the
automatic locking hubs engaging
and is not cause for concern.
²On some 4WD models, if the
vehicle is stopped while in 4WD
and the vehicle direction is
reversed from the previous
direction, the automatic locking
hubs will momentarily disengage
and re-engage. The automatic
locking hubs may click as they
automatically engage in the new
direction.
4WD and AWD systems
4

Snow and ice
Your 4WD or AWD vehicle will
have advantages over two-wheel
drive vehicles in snow and on ice
by providing increased driving
traction. However, if you suddenly
change speed or direction you may
lose control. 4WD and AWD
vehicles can slide on slippery roads
just like any other vehicle. 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 braking as well.
Although a 4WD or 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. In
emergency stopping situations,
avoid locking of the wheels. Use a
ªsqueezeº 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 has
anti-lock brakes, apply the brake
steadily. Do not ªpumpº the
brakes. See your ªOwner's Guideº
for additional information on the
4WD or AWD operation on the road
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operation of the anti-lock brake
system.
Parking
Before leaving the driver's seat,
you should make sure that the
gearshift is engaged in P (Park)
with an automatic transmission or
either 1 (First) or R (Reverse)
with a manual transmission. Set
the parking brake fully, shut off
the ignition and remove the key.
On some 4WD vehicles, when the
transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and
transmission are disconnected
from the rest of the driveline.
Therefore, the vehicle is free to
roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the
manual transmission is in gear. Do
not leave the vehicle unattended
with the transfer case in N
(Neutral) position. Always set the
parking brake fully and turn off the
ignition when leaving the vehicle.
DRIVING OFF-ROAD WITH 4WD
OR AWD
When using 4WD or AWD,
maintain steering wheel control at
all times, especially in rough
terrain. Since sudden changes in
terrain can result in abrupt
steering wheel motion, make sure
you grip the steering wheel from
the outside. Do not grip the
spokes.
Driving off-road with 4WD or AWD
9

Descend a hill in the same gear
you would use to climb up the hill
to avoid excessive brake
application and brake overheating.
Do not descend in neutral,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can't turn and if
they aren't turning, you won't be
able to steer. The front wheels
have to be turning in order to
steer the vehicle. Rapid pumping
of the brake pedal will help you
slow the vehicle and still maintain
steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, apply the brakes steadily.
Do not ªpumpº the brakes.
TRAILER TOWING
Your 4WD or AWD vehicle may be
equipped for towing trailers (or
may require a trailer tow package),
provided that the combined total
weight of the vehicle and trailer is
less than or equal to the
recommended Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR). Refer to
ªFord Recreation Vehicle and
Trailer Towing Guide,º the
ªOwner's Guideº or see an
authorized Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury Dealer for
additional information.
Trailer Towing
14

control or rollover and serious
injury.
Tires can be damaged during
off-road use. For your safety, tires
that are damaged should not be
used for highway driving because
they are more likely to blow out or
fail.
You should carefully observe the
recommended tire inflation
pressure found on the safety
compliance certification label
attached to the left front door lock
facing or door latch post pillar.
Failure to follow tire pressure
recommendations can adversely
affect the way your vehicle
handles. Do not exceed the Ford
recommended pressure even if it is
less than the maximum pressure
allowed for the tire.
Each day before you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to
check pressure of all tires, and
adjust if required. Check tire
pressure with a tire gauge every
few weeks (including spare). Safe
operation requires tires that are
neither underinflated nor
overloaded.
Periodically inspect the tire treads
and remove stones, nails, glass or
other objects that may be wedged
in the tread grooves. Check for
holes or cuts that may permit air
leakage from the tire and make
necessary repairs.
Tires, replacement requirements
16