1998 Mercury Mountaineer engine

Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle
remains in the normal range (the
area between the ªHº and ªLº).
If the gauge indicates low
pressure, switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer to
Checking and adding engine oil
in theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct,
have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified
technician.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The
fuel gauge may vary slightly when
the vehicle is in motion. The
ignition should be in the OFF
position while the vehicle is being
refueled. When the gauge first
indicates empty, there is a small
amount of reserve fuel in the tank.
When refueling the vehicle from
empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less
than the advertised capacity due to
the reserve fuel.
The FUEL DOOR icon and arrow
indicates which side of the vehicle
the fuel filler door is located.
H
L
EF
Instrumentation
15

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control
clockwise to the first position to
turn on the parking lamps only.
Rotate to the second position to
also turn on the headlamps.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
Turn on the low-beam headlamps
and press the foglamp control to
activate the foglamps. The foglamp
control button will illuminate when
the foglamps are on.
Press the foglamp control a second
time to deactivate the foglamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL)
(if equipped)
Turns the highbeam headlamps on
with a reduced output. To activate:
²the engine must be running
²the gearshift must not be in P
(Park)
²the headlamp control is in the
OFF or Parking lamps position.
The Daytime Running
Light (DRL) system will
not illuminate the tail lamps and
parking lamps. Turn on your
headlamps at dusk. Failure to do
so may result in a collision.
OFF
Controls and features
16

²Unlock the doors by using your
remote entry transmitter.
²Unlock the doors with a key.
Turn the key full travel (toward
the front of the vehicle) to make
sure the alarm disarms.
²Unlock the doors by using your
keyless entry keypad.
²Turn ignition to ACC or ON.
²Press the panic control on the
remote entry transmitter. This
will disarm the system only if
the alarm is sounding.
SecuriLockYanti-theft system
The SecuriLockyanti-theft system
provides an advanced level of
vehicle theft protection. Your
vehicle's engine can only be started
with the two special SecuriLocky
electronically coded keys provided
with your vehicle. Each time you
start your vehicle, the
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Controls and features
57

SecuriLockykey is read by the
SecuriLockyanti-theft system. If
the SecuriLockykey identification
code matches the code stored in
the SecuriLockyanti-theft system,
the vehicle's engine is allowed to
start. If the SecuriLockykey
identification code does not match
the code stored in the system or if
a SecuriLockykey is not detected
(vehicle theft situation), the
vehicle's engine will not operate.
Spare SecuriLockykeys can be
purchased from your dealership
and programmed to your
SecuriLockyanti-theft system.
Refer toProgramming spare
SecuriLockykeysfor more
information.
If one or both of your SecuriLocky
keys are lost or stolen and you
want to ensure the lost or stolen
key will not operate your vehicle,
bring your vehicle and all available
SecuriLockykeys to your
dealership for reinitialization.
Theft indicator
The theft indicator on the
instrument cluster will operate as
follows:
²When the ignition is OFF, the
theft indicator will flash briefly
every 2 seconds to indicate the
SecuriLockysystem is
protecting your vehicle.
²When the ignition is turned to
RUN or START, the theft
indicator will light for 3 seconds
and then go out. If the theft
Controls and features
58

indicator stays on for an
extended period of time or
flashes rapidly, have the system
serviced by your dealership or a
qualified technician.
Programming spare
SecuriLock
Ykeys
Spare SecuriLockykeys can be
purchased from your dealership
and programmed to your
SecuriLockyanti-theft system (up
to a total of 8 keys). Your
dealership can program your new
SecuriLockykey(s) to your
vehicle or you can do it yourself
using the following simple
procedure. To program a new
SecuriLockykey yourself, you will
need two previously programmed
SecuriLockykeys (keys that
already operate your vehicle's
engine). If two previously
programmed SecuriLockykeys are
not available (one or both of your
original keys were lost or stolen),
you must bring your vehicle to
your dealership to have the spare
SecuriLockykey(s) programmed.
Procedure to program spare
SecuriLock
Ykeys to your
vehicle
New SecuriLockykeys must have
the correct mechanical key cut for
your vehicle.
Conventional (non-SecuriLocky)
keyscannotbe programmed to
your vehicle.
You will need to have two
previously programmed
Controls and features
59

If the programming procedure was
successful, the new SecuriLocky
key(s) will start the vehicle's
engine. The theft indicator
(located on the instrument cluster)
will light for three seconds and
then go out.
If the programming procedure was
not successful, the new
SecuriLockykey(s) will not
operate the vehicle's engine. The
theft indicator will flash on and off.
Wait at least one minute and then
repeat the procedure from step 1.
If failure repeats, bring your
vehicle to your dealership to have
the spare SecuriLockykey(s)
programmed.
Controls and features
61

PREPARING TO START YOUR
VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
standard requirements regulating
the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected
engine, avoid pressing the
accelerator before or during
starting. Only use the accelerator
when you have difficulty starting
the engine. For more information
on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this
chapter.
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Starting
94

Do not start your vehicle
in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start
the engine. SeeGuarding
against exhaust fumesin this
chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes
inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the
engine's idle revolutions per
minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to
warm the engine. If the engine idle
speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
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