1997 Mercury Mountaineer tow

Power distribution box
Lift cover towards front of vehicle
to access the power distribution
box.
The high-current fuses in the
power distribution box protect
your vehicle's main electrical
systems from overloads. The high
current fuses are coded as follows:
14 13
12 11
10 9
87
65
43
2
8
47
36
25
1
11 10 9
1
Roadside emergencies
124

High Current Fuse Rating Color
20 amp Yellow
30 amp Light green
40 amp Orange
50 amp Red
60 amp Blue
Always disconnect the
battery before servicing
high current fuses.
Always replace the cover
to the power distribution
box before reconnecting the
battery or refilling fluid
reservoirs.
Maxi fuses
Fuse Amps Circuits protected
1 30 amp Rear window defrost
relay
2 30 amp PCM power relay
3 20 amp Fuel pump relay, RAP
module
4 20 amp Headlamps,
autolamps,
multi-function switch
5 30 amp 4WABS pump relay
6 30 amp 4WABS main relay
7 20 amp Trailer tow relays
Roadside emergencies
125

Position the jack under the rear
axle to raise the rear wheel.
14. Turn the jack handle clockwise
and raise the vehicle until the tire
just clears the ground.
15. Remove the wheel lug nuts and
flat tire, and install the spare.
16. Install the lug nuts and tighten
until snug.
Use of wheel or lug nuts
other than original
equipment could cause damage
to the wheel or mounting system
and allow the wheels to come off
while the vehicle is in motion.
17. Lower the vehicle and tighten
the wheel lug nuts as shown.
18. Unblock the wheels and put
the flat tire, jack, jack handle and
lug wrench away.
Stowing flat tires
Stow aluminum wheel and tire
with valve stem down.
1
4
2
5 3
Roadside emergencies
131

To stow largest flat tire, place
inside vehicle and secure with
webbing retainer.
JUMP STARTING A DISABLED
VEHICLE
The gases around the
battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle
damage.
To protect yourself when
charging a battery, always
shield your face and eyes. Make
sure that you can breath fresh
air.
Batteries contain sulfuric
acid which burns skin,
eyes and clothing.
If the acid touches someone's skin,
eyes, or clothing, immediately flush
the area with water for at least 15
minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of
milk or water first, then Milk of
Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
Roadside emergencies
132

WRECKER TOWING
It is recommended that your
vehicle be towed with wheel lift
and dollies or flatbed equipment.
Do not tow with slingbelt
equipment. Ford Motor Company
has not developed or approved a
T-hook or slingbelt towing
procedure.
Roadside emergencies
135

Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil every time
you fuel your vehicle.
Check the engine oil level more
frequently if the vehicle is carrying
a heavy load, towing a trailer,
idling for extended periods (like
police, taxi, or shuttle service
vehicles), or driven at high speeds
for extended periods of time.
To check engine oil:
1. Once the engine is warm, turn
the engine off. Make sure the
vehicle is parked on level ground.
2. Depress the parking brake.
Place the gearshift in P (Park).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
4. Remove the engine oil dipstick
and wipe clean. Reinsert the
dipstick fully, then remove it again.
The oil level should be between
the MIN and MAX lines. If the oil
level lies between the MIN and
MAX lines, there is no need to
add.
5. If the oil level is below the MIN
line, add engine oil as necessary
and recheck the oil level. If the oil
level is above the letter ``M'' in
``MAX,'' engine damage and/or high
oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from
the engine.
MAX MIN
Maintenance and care
141

warranty on paperwork, remove
aggressive particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect
remains, tar spots, road salt, and
industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash the wheels with the same
detergent you use to clean the
body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid based wheel cleaners, steel
wool, fuel, or strong detergents.
Never use abrasives that will
damage the finish of special wheel
surfaces. Use a tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
Cleaning plastic parts
Some of your vehicle's trim parts
are plastic. Clean with a tar and
road oil remover if necessary. Use
a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning.
Do not clean plastic parts with
thinners, solvents or petroleum
based cleaners.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Any cleaner or polish that
increases the gloss of the upper
portion of the instrument panel
should be avoided. The dull finish
in this area is to help protect the
driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Do not use dry paper towel,
chemical solvents, or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps; these
products may cause scratches or
crack the lamps.
Maintenance and care
182

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ............71,74,75,76,77,82,87
and child safety
seats .......................74,76,77,82,87
description ................................73
indicator light ...........................74
Air cleaner filter
replacing ..................................156
All Wheel Drive .........................102
Anti-theft system ........................56
arming the system ....................56
disarming a triggered system ..57
disarming an untriggered
system .......................................57
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system) .............................16
Autolamp system (see
Headlamps) .................................33
Automatic transmission ..............98
fluid, adding ............................149
Battery .......................................153
battery saver .............................58
how to service ........................153
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............142
Brakelamp
bulb replacement ....................174
Brakes ..........................................97
adjustment ................................96
anti-lock .....................................96
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................97
parking ......................................97
Break-in period .............................3
Bulbs, replacing
specifications ..........................179
Cargo area shade ...................46,47
Cargo cover ............................46,47
Childproof locks ..........................39
Chime ...........................................11
headlamps on ............................12
key-in-ignition ...........................11safety belt ............................11,69
Cleaning your vehicle
built-in child seat ...................184
engine compartment ..............183
exterior ....................................182
instrument panel ....................182
plastic parts ............................182
safety belts ..............................184
washing ....................................181
wheels ......................................182
wiper blades ............................183
Climate control
system ...........................17,18,19,21
air conditioning .........................21
heating .......................................21
Compass, electronic
calibration .................................30
set zone adjustment .................30
Compass/temperature display ...29
Console, description ...................42
Controls
instrument panel ......................13
steering column ........................22
Daytime running light system ...14
Defects, reporting .....................192
Defrost
rear window ..............................15
Driving under special
conditions
towing a trailer .......................114
Electronic sound system ............16
Emission control system ..........168
Engine .................................139,189
Engine block heater ...................93
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............145
checking hoses .......................148
Engine coolant temperature
gauge ..............................................7
Engine oil
checking and adding .......140,142
Exhaust fumes ............................94
Index
193