1997 Mercury Mountaineer weight

bumper has a Class II rating (1590
kg/3500 lb trailer weight and 159
kg/350 lb tongue weight).
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
chains when towing with the step
bumper, cross the chains under the
trailer tongue and allow slack for
turning corners. Connect the
chains to the holes in the
underside of the hitch plate for a
Class II frame mounted hitch.
When using a frame mounted
trailer hitch, attach the safety
chains to the frame mounted hitch
using the recommendations
supplied by the hitch
manufacturer.
Trailer brakes
Trailer brakes are required on
most towed vehicles weighing over
680 kg/ 1500 lb. Use electric
brakes or manual, automatic, or
surge-type hydraulic brakes that
meet Federal and local regulations.
Install and adjust the brakes
according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
Do not connect a trailer's
hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and
your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Driving
113

Servicing while towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to theService Guidefor
more information.
Trailer towing
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle/trailer
combination. When turning,
drive slightly beyond the normal
turning point so the trailer
wheels will clear curbs and
other obstacles.
²Allow more room for stopping
with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should
be 10-15% of the loaded trailer
weight for a Class I or II rear
bumper hitch.
²After you have travelled about
80 km (50 miles), thoroughly
check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
to increase idle speed. This aids
engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
Driving
115

Luggage rack (if equipped)
Load luggage as far back as it will
safely go without loading more
than 45 kg (100 lb) or cause the
vehicle to exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or
its Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). Use the following steps
to adjust the luggage rack.
²Turn adjustment wheel
backward to unlock crossbar
and slide crossbar forward or
backward.
²Turn adjustment wheel forward
to lock crossbar.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance
²excessive speed
²rapid acceleration
²driving with the brake pedal
depressed
Driving
116

Parts (see Motorcraft Parts) ...185
Power door locks ........................38
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....148
Rear climate control system ......45
Refill capacities for fluids ........185
Relays .................................127,128
Remote entry system
arming and disarming the
anti-theft system .................52,54
locking/unlocking doors ...........53
panic alarm ...............................53
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................55
replacing the batteries .............54
Repairing paint chips ...............181
Reporting safety defects ..........192
Safety chains, when towing a
trailer .........................................113
Safety defects, reporting ..........192
Safety restraints ..........................63
adjusting the safety belts .........67
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................66
center rear lap belt ..................68
cleaning the safety belts ..........71
extension assembly ..................71
lap and shoulder belts .............64
maintenance ..............................69
proper use .................................64
replacement ..............................70
warning light and chime ..........69
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual .......59
adjusting the seats, power .......60
folding rear seats ......................62
head restraints ..........................62
Servicing your vehicle ..............136
precautions when
servicing ...........................136,138
servicing when you tow .........115
Shift-lock system ......................101Spare tire .....................................48
Speed control ..............................23
Speedometer .................................6
Starting your vehicle .............89,91
preparing to start your
vehicle ..................................89,91
starting a warm engine ............92
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................27
Tachometer ...................................6
Tail lamps
bulb replacement ....................174
Tilt steering wheel ......................27
Tire types ..................................163
Tires
changing ..................................128
checking the pressure ............160
replacing ...........................162,163
rotating .............................161,162
snow tires and chains ............163
treadwear ................................159
Towing your vehicle .................135
Trailer towing ..............110,113,114
calculating maximum trailer
weight ......................................111
tips ...........................................115
trailer brakes ...........................113
trailer lamps ............................114
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................152
Trip odometer ...............................7
Turn signal .........................174,176
Vehicle dimensions ...................190
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................191
Ventilating your vehicle (see
Climate control) ..........................21
Washer fluid ..............................144
rear window reservoir ............145
Windows
power windows,
operating .........................35,36,37
Index
195