1997 Mercury Mountaineer ignition

SAFETY BELT WARNING AND
INDICATOR CHIME
The
warning light illuminates
in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the
occupants to fasten their safety
belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The safety belt is not buckled
before the ignition key is turned
to ON...The safety belt indicator light
illuminates for one to two minutes
and the warning chime sounds for
4-8 seconds.
The safety belt is buckled while
the indicator light is illuminated
and the warning chime is
sounding...The safety belt indicator light and
the warning chime turn off.
The safety belt is buckled before
the ignition key is turned to ON...Both the safety belt warning light
and chime remain off.
SAFETY BELT MAINTENANCE
Check the safety belt systems
periodically to make sure that they
work properly and are not
damaged. Check the safety belts to
make sure there are no nicks,
wear, or cuts. If your vehicle has
been involved in an accident, have
all the safety belts and child seat
anchoring brackets (if equipped)
examined by a qualified technician.
Seating and safety restraints
69

bags, and the air bags deflate. You
may notice smoke and smell the
escaping gas after the air bags
deflate. This is normal.
You and your passenger must wear
your safety belts in order for the
air bag system to operate
effectively.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND
CHIME
When you turn the ignition key to
the ON position, the
warning
light in the instrument cluster
illuminates for approximately six
seconds to indicate the air bag
system is functional.
If you hear a group of five beeps,
or if the
warning light does
not illuminate, stays lit, or flashes,
the air bag system requires
immediate service. Have the
vehicle serviced at your dealer.
CHILD RESTRAINT
PRECAUTIONS
You are required by law to use
safety restraints in the United
States and Canada. If small
children ride in your vehicle
(generally children who are four
years of age or younger and who
weigh 18 kg [40 lb or less]), you
must put them in safety seats
made especially for children.
Check your local and state laws for
specific requirements regarding the
safety of your children.
Seating and safety restraints
74

seconds. If the engine does not
start on the first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait approximately 10
seconds.
2. Try starting the engine again.
At temperatures above -12ÉC
(10ÉF), do not hold the key in the
START position longer than five
seconds. If the engine does not
start on the first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait approximately five
seconds.
2. Try starting the engine again.
Starting a warm engine
Do not hold the key in the START
position for longer than five
seconds. If the engine does not
start on the first attempt:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK
and wait a few seconds until the
starter stops.
2. Try starting the engine again.
Starting the engine after two
failed attempts (warm or cold)
If the engine does not start after
two attempts:
1. Turn the key to LOCK and wait
about two minutes.
Starting your vehicle
92

ABS warning light
TheABSlight in the instrument
cluster illuminates and remains
illuminated if an ABS fault is
detected. Have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
Normal braking operation is still
effective unless the
light is
also illuminated.
Parking brake
The parking brake should be used
whenever the vehicle is parked.
Push pedal downward to set the
parking brake.
The
light in the instrument
cluster illuminates and remains
illuminated (when the ignition is
turned to ON) until the parking
brake is released.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency.
Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's
stopping distance will increase
greatly and the handling of your
vehicle will be adversely affected.
Driving
97

Pull gearshift lever towards you
and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
P - ParkAlways come to a
complete stop before shifting into
or out of P (Park).
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
R - ReverseAlways come to a
complete stop before shifting into
or out of R (Reverse).
N - NeutralVehicle is free to roll.
Do not leave the vehicle
unattended with the
transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking
brake fully and turn off the
ignition when leaving the vehicle.
P RND21
P RND21
Driving
99

on downgrades. Transmission
operates in gears 1-2.
1 - LowUse 1 (Low) to provide
maximum engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
D(Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low)
at higher speeds causes a shift to 2
(Second), and will shift to 1 (Low)
after vehicle decelerates to the
proper speed.
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift from being
moved from P unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift
out of P with the brake pedal
depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn ignition key to LOCK, then
remove the key.
3. Insert the key and turn to OFF.
4. Apply brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).
5. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift, it
is possible that a fuse has blown
and the vehicle's brakelamps may
not be operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Driving
101

should either know the terrain or
examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before
driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road,
readFour-Wheelingin your
owner's portfolio.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to
keep all four wheels on the most
solid area of the trail. Do not
reduce the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the
accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the
brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes.
Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying
light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean
off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts and tires. Excess mud
stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance
Driving
104

Number Fuse Amperage
RatingCircuits Protected
7 7.5 amp Illumination switches
8 10 amp Right headlamp, fog
lamp system
9 10 amp Autolamps
10 7.5 amp Rear blower, speed
control, GEM system,
brake interlock,
overhead console
11 7.5 amp Warning lamps
12 10 amp Liftgate wiper/washer,
front washer
13 15 amp Brake on/off switch
14 10 amp Anti-lock system
15 7.5 amp Air bag system,
instrument cluster
16 30 amp Wiper run relay
17 15 amp Cigar lighter
18 15 amp A/C system
19 25 amp Ignition coil, PCM
system
20 7.5 amp Radio, power antenna,
GEM system,
anti-theft
21 15 amp Turn/hazard flasher
22 10 amp Turn signals
23 10 amp Rear wiper system
24 10 amp Anti-theft relay
25 7.5 amp Instrument cluster,
GEM system
Roadside emergencies
122