1997 Mercury Mountaineer tires

Do not drive your vehicle
until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in the
mud or snow it may be rocked out
of the spot. To rock the vehicle
out, shift between forward and
reverse gears in a steady rhythm.
Press lightly on the accelerator in
each gear. Do not rock the vehicle
for more than a few minutes,
because it could damage the
vehicle.
Do not spin the wheels at
over 55 km/h (35 mph).
The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle is equipped with a
full-time All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
transfer case. Power is constantly
supplied to all four wheels through
a transfer case. The AWD system is
full-time and has no external
controls.
The AWD transfer case utilizes a
viscous clutch that distributes
torque to the front and rear
differentials (approximately 35%
front and 65% rear). The viscous
clutch is filled with a high viscosity
fluid; seeLubricant specifications
for more information.
All utility-type and AWD vehicles
have special design and equipment
Driving
102

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

between forward and reverse
gears. DO NOT rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at
over 55 km/h (35 mph).
The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
VEHICLE LOADING
It is extremely dangerous
to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In
a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with
seats and safety belts.
Be sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight: Weight of the
vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants,
etc. It does not include
passengers or aftermarket
equipment.
Driving
107

Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
original because they may lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with
a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a Class I or
II trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal
to the maximum trailer weight
listed for your engine and rear axle
ratio. See theTrailer towing table
later in this chapter.
Do not exceed the maximum loads
stated on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. Refer to
Vehicle loadingfor a definition of
the terms on the label.
Your vehicle's load capacity is
designated by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
Distribute the trailer load so that
only 10 to 15% of the total weight
of the trailer is on the tongue. Tie
down the load so that it does not
shift and change the weight on the
hitch.
Towing a trailer places an
additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transmission, axle, brakes,
tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully before and
after any towing operation.
Driving
110

²sudden stops
²extended engine idling
²use of speed control in hilly
terrain
²extended use of the air
conditioner, defroster, rear
window defroster and other
accessories
²underinflated tires
²heavy loads
²aftermarket add-ons such as
bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
Driving
117

Relay number Circuits connected
1 Wiper run relay
2 Horn relay
3 Wiper HI/LO relay
4 WOT A/C relay
5 PCM power relay
6 Fuel pump relay
Diode number Circuits connected
1 ABS diode
2 PCM diode
CHANGING TIRES
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface.
2. Activate the hazard flashers.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the gearshift in P (Park).
5. Block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
6. Remove the jack and lug
wrench.
Roadside emergencies
128

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

on wiper blade until lock tab is
engaged.
To replace liftgate wiper blade:
1. Pull wiper arm away from
liftgate window.
2. Use small screwdriver to
depress lock tab and pull wiper
blade upwards and away from
wiper arm.
3. Attach new wiper blade by
pushing wiper arm post through
hole in wiper blade until lock tab is
engaged.
Information about tire grades
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have their Tire Quality Grade
(described below) molded into the
tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by
standards that the United States
Department of Transportation has
set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. They do not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 25.4 cm to 30.48 cm
(10 to 12 in.) or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of
Federal Regulations Part
575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation
- Tire quality grades: The U.S.
Department of Transportation
requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire
Maintenance and care
158