1997 Mercury Mountaineer lock

2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
3. Make sure the parking brake is
set and the gearshift lever is in P
(Park).
4. Turn the key to the ON position
(without turning the key to
START).OFF
0020406080100
120
140
160
180
200P RND21
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MPH km/h
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 100012345
6H
C
F
E
RSM
SET
ACC
COAST OFF ON
SRS
- +H
H
L L
ON
START
LOCK
ACCESSORYOFF
Starting your vehicle
90

The above lights illuminate briefly.
If a light fails to illuminate, have
the vehicle serviced.
If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
STARTING THE VEHICLE
After completing the steps under
Preparing to start the vehicle:
1. Turn the key to START, hold
until engine is running, then
release. DO NOT press the
accelerator.
The key will return to the ON
position.
2. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Special conditions when
starting
Starting a cold engine
At temperatures -12ÉC (10ÉF) and
below, do not hold the key in the
START position longer than 15
0ABS
- +
P RND21
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +
H
H
L L
ANTI-
THEFT
CHECK
ENGINE
O/D
OFF SPEED
CONT
H
C
F
E
!P
DOOR
AJAR
BRAKE
CHECK
GAGE
0
20
1030405060
70
80
90
110
120000000
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100

20406080100
120
140
160
180
MPH km/h
ON
START
LOCK
ACCESSORYOFF
Starting your vehicle
91

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

2. Press the accelerator all the way
to the floor and hold.
3. Turn the key to START. Release
it once the engine starts.
4. Release the accelerator
gradually as the engine speeds up.
If the engine still does not start,
refer toFuel pump shutoff
switchin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Engine block heater (if
equipped)
To prevent electrical
shock, do not use your
engine block heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Engine block heaters are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach
-23ÉC (-10ÉF) or below. An engine
block heater works by warming the
engine coolant. This improves
engine starting by warming the
engine faster. Engine block heater
operation also allows the heater
and defrost system to respond
more quickly than usual.
Starting your vehicle
93

Ventilating your vehicle
²If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open
area for long periods of time,
open the windows at least 2.5
cm (1 inch). Adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in
fresh air.
²Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear
of snow, leaves and other debris.
OFF
A/C
MAX
A/C
U
AUTO
L DOOR LOCK
Starting your vehicle
95

BRAKES
The anti-lock brake system
(ABS)
Anti-lock brake operation differs
slightly from standard brake
operation.
Apply the brakes steadily. DO NOT
pump the brakes in a panic stop.
The brake system will prevent
wheel lockup by automatically
releasing and reapplying the
brakes.
Even with ABS, the brakes could
lock up on roads with alternating
slippery and dry patches or with
loose surfaces such as snow or
gravel. Be careful when braking.
The ABS conducts a self-test each
time the vehicle is driven. A
mechanical noise may be heard
while the system conducts its
self-test.
Occasional brake squeal during
light to moderate stops is normal.
Significantly increased squeal is an
indicator that brake service is
needed.
After driving through standing
water, gently apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
If driving down a long or steep hill,
shift to a lower gear and do not
apply the brakes continuously.
Continuously applying the brakes
on a hill could overheat them and
make them less effective.
Driving
96

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

heavy load. If vehicle speed drops
more than 15 - 25 km/h (8 - 14
mph) the speed control will cancel
automatically. Resume speed with
accelerator pedal.
If speed control cancels after
climbing the hill, reset speed by
pressing and holding the SET
ACCEL button or returning to
previous speed by pressing the
RESUME button (to resume
speeds over 50 km/h [30 mph]).
Automatic transmissions may shift
frequently while driving up on
steep grades. Eliminate frequent
shifting by shifting out of
D(Overdrive) into D (Drive).
Driving on snow and ice
An AWD vehicle has advantages
over two-wheel drive vehicles in
snow and ice but can skid like any
other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of
power and quick changes of
direction on snow and ice. Apply
the accelerator slowly and steadily
when starting from a full stop.
When braking, apply the brakes as
you normally would. In order to
allow the anti-lock brake system
(ABS) to operate properly, keep
steady pressure on the brake
pedal.
Allow more stopping distance and
drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
If the vehicle is stuck, shift the
transmission in a steady motion
Driving
106