1997 Mercury Mountaineer check engine

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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70
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110
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20406080100
120
140
160
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

O/D
OFFthe transmission control
indicator light (TCIL) illuminates
when the transmission control
switch on the end of the gearshift
lever is pushed and the
D(Overdrive) mode is turned
off.
O/D
OFFindicates the status of the
transmission and may flash steadily
if a malfunction is detected. If
flashing persists, have your
transmission serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible.
If this condition persists, your
transmission may be damaged.
CHECK
ENGINEilluminates when the
emission control system requires
service.
THEFT(if equipped) illuminates
when the anti-theft system is
arming and flashes when the
anti-theft system is armed. Refer
toInterior featuresfor additional
information regarding the
anti-theft system.
illuminates when the left-
hand or right-hand turn signal or
the hazard lamps are illuminated.
O/D
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
THEFT
Instrumentation
10

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
0
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70
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20406080100
120
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180
MPH km/h
Instrumentation
11

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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70
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110
120000000
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100

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

that could damage drive
components.
If the transmission and transfer
case are submerged in water, their
fluids should be checked and
changed, if necessary.
All rear axle lubricants must be
replaced every 160,000 km
(100,000 miles) or if the axle has
been submerged in water.
Otherwise, check the lubrication of
the rear axle according to the
intervals in theService Guide.
Driving on hill or slope terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid
driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes. You could lose
traction and slip sideways. Drive
straight up, straight down or avoid
the hill completely. Know the
conditions on the other side of a
hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in
a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from
a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of
stalling.
When descending a steep hill avoid
sudden braking. Rapid pumping of
the brake pedal will help slow the
vehicle and still maintain steering
control.
When speed control is on and you
are driving uphill, your vehicle
speed may drop considerably,
especially if you are carrying a
Driving
105

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

vegetable oil. Call a doctor
immediately.
To avoid damage or injury,
follow these directions in
the order they are given. If in
doubt, call for road service.
Before jump starting a vehicle:
²Make sure the booster battery
vehicle has a 12-volt starting
system (a 24-volt power supply
will cause vehicle damage).
²Park the vehicles close to each
other, but do not allow the
vehicles to touch each other.
²Check to make sure neither
battery is disconnected.
²Remove any excessive corrosion
from the battery terminals.
²Turn on the heater fan in each
vehicle to prevent damage from
voltage surges.
To jump start the vehicle, connect
the jumper cables in the following
order:
1. Disabled battery positive
terminal.
2. Booster battery positive
terminal.
3. Booster battery negative
terminal.
4. Disabled vehicle engine.
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4
2
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Roadside emergencies
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