1997 Mercury Mountaineer ABS

Instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights
DOOR
AJARilluminates when the ignition
key is turned to the ON or START
position and a door or liftgate is
opened.
CHECK
GAGEilluminates when the ignition is
turned to ON and the engine
temperature is high, the oil
pressure is low, or the fuel level is
near empty.
illuminates when there is a
problem with the generator or
charging system.
FUEL
RESETilluminates when the ignition
key is turned to ON and the fuel
pump shutoff switch has been
triggered. Refer toFuel pump
shutoff switchinRoadside
emergenciesfor more information.
illuminates when the air bag
system requires servicing.
0
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20406080100
120
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180
0ABS
- +
P RND21
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +
H
H
L L
4WD
LOW 4X4
H
C
F
E
!P
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGEFUEL
RESET
BRAKEMPH km/h
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
FUEL
RESET
Instrumentation
8

illuminates when the parking
brake is activated, brake fluid level
is low, or break system requires
service.
illuminates when the
headlamp high beams are on.
ABSilluminates when the anti-lock
brake system requires service.
illuminates when the ignition
key is turned to ON and the safety
belt is not buckled. The light will
remain illuminated for one to two
minutes or until the safety belt is
buckled.
SPEED
CONTilluminates when the engine
is running and speed control is
turned on.
!P
BRAKE
ABS
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
BRAKE0
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MPH km/h
SPEED
CONT
Instrumentation
9

How to test the instrument
cluster lights
Turn the ignition key to ON
without starting the engine. The
warning and indicator lights shown
above will illuminate for a brief
time. If any of these lights do not
illuminate, have your vehicle
serviced.
Warning chimes
Safety belt warning chime
Refer to theSeating and safety
restraintschapter for information
on the safety belt warning chime.
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) warning chime
Refer to theSeating and safety
restraintschapter for information
on the SRS warning chime.
Key±in±ignition warning chime
A warning chime sounds when the
key is left in the ignition in the
OFF, LOCK, or ACCESSORY
position and the driver's door is
opened.
0ABS
- +
P RND21
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +
H
H
L L
CHECK
ENGINE
H
C
F
E
!PBRAKE
CHECK
GAGE
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110
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120
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180
MPH km/h
Instrumentation
11

Energy absorbing sew pattern
The short plastic boot on the front
passenger safety belt covers an
energy absorbing sew pattern on
the safety belt. In the event of an
accident, the sew pattern may
release, and the orange REPLACE
BELT label may become visible. If
any part of the orange label is
exposed, the belt must be
replaced.
Failure to replace the
safety belt assembly under
the above conditions could result
in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Lincoln-Mercury recommends that
all safety belt assemblies used in
vehicles involved in a collision be
replaced. However, if the collision
was minor and a qualified
technician finds that the belts do
not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need
to be replaced. Safety belt
assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected
and replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.
REPLACE
BELT
Seating and safety restraints
70

2. Allow the shoulder belts to fully
retract.
Removing your child from the
built-in child seat
1. Disconnect the chest clip by
squeezing the release tabs together
and pulling the two sides apart.
2. Press the release button on the
crotch buckle.
3. Slide the shoulder belts off the
child's shoulders and remove child.
If ALR is engaged, hold either left
or right shoulder belt fully out
while helping the child slide his
arms out of the belts.
4. Fold the cushion protector flap
onto the child seat cushion. Slide
the belt tongues up and out of the
way of the cushion, then return
the child seat cushion to the
stowed (upright) position.
5. Slide the Velcrotstraps through
the D-rings on the child seat
cushion and attach.
6. Slide head restraint down until
the top of the head restraint is
flush with the top of the adult seat
back.
Seating and safety restraints
87

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
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MPH km/h
ON
START
LOCK
ACCESSORYOFF
Starting your vehicle
91

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

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