1997 Mercury Mountaineer transmission fluid

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

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

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
V1Engine coolant recovery
reservoir
V2Windshield washer reservoir
V3Engine oil filler tube
V4Automatic transmission dipstick
V5Brake master cylinder
V6Power distribution box
V7Battery
V8Radiator cap
V9Power steering fluid reservoir
V10Engine oil dipstick
V11Ignition coil packs
V12Air cleaner
3
4
5
6
2
1
1211
108
79
5.0L
V8
Maintenance and care
139

3. Visually inspect the fluid level in
the power steering reservoir.
4. If necessary, add power steering
fluid until the fluid level reaches
MAX. Do not overfill the power
steering reservoir.
²As a maintenance precaution,
visually inspect the lines and
hoses of the power steering
system for leaks and damage.
²If new fluid is frequently
required, consult a qualified
service technician.
²Use fluid certified to meet Ford
Motor Company lubricant
specifications. Refer toRefill
capacitiesandLubricant
specificationslater in this
chapter.
CHECKING AND ADDING
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
Check the automatic transmission
fluid according to the scheduled
intervals in theService Guide.
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type will be used. This
information is indicated on the
dipstick.
Your vehicle should not be
driven if the fluid level is
below the bottom hole in the
dipstick and outside
temperatures are above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
149

Your vehicle does not use up
transmission fluid. However, it is
recommended that you check the
transmission fluid at least twice a
year. The fluid level should be
checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., the
transmission slips or shifts slowly
or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
It is preferable to check the
transmission fluid level at normal
operating temperature, after
approximately 32 km (20 miles) of
driving. However, if necessary, you
can check the fluid level without
driving to obtain a normal
operating temperature if the
outside temperature is above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
If the vehicle has been operated
for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the
vehicle should be turned off for
about 30 minutes to allow the fluid
to cool before checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to change.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in
P(Park), set the parking brake and
leave the engine running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry rag.
5. Install the dipstick.
P R N D 2 1
Maintenance and care
150

Fluid Component Capacity
Transfer case fluid (if
equipped)Borg Warner AWD
transfer case1.25 L (2.64 pts.)
Transmission fluid,
automaticAutomatic 4R70W
(2WD and AWD)13.2 L (13.9 qts.)
Windshield washer
fluid, frontFront washer fluid
reservoir2.6 L (2.8 qts.)
Windshield washer
fluid, rearLiftgate washer fluid
reservoir3.1 L (3.3 qts.)
1Fill to 6-15 mm (1/49to 9/169) from the bottom of the filler hole.
2Includes1L(1qt.) for filter replacement.
3All rear axle lube quantities must be replaced every 160,000 km
(100,000 miles) or if the axle has been submerged in water. Otherwise,
the lube should not be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or
repair required. Refer to theService Guide.
Capacities and specifications
186

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ComponentFord part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Windshield
washer
reservoirUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-
19550-AA or
BAESR-M17P5-A
Body hinges,
latches, door
striker plates
and rotors, seat
tracks, door
checks and
tracks, hood
latch, auxiliary
latch, and fuel
filler door and
springMulti-Purpose
GreaseD0AZ-19584-AA
or
D7AZ-19584-AAESB-M1C93-A
or
ESB-M1C159-A
Steering
column,
U-joints, clutch
linkage pivots,
parking brake
linkage pivots
and clevises
and
transmission
control linkage
pivotsPremium
Long-Life
GreaseXG-1C or K ESA-M1C75-B
Brake master
cylinderHigh
Performance
DOT 3 Brake
FluidC6AZ-19542-AA
or BAESA-M6C25-A
Capacities and specifications
187

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