1998 Mercury Mountaineer seats

capable of providing a tether
anchorage. For more information
on top tether straps, refer to
Attaching safety seats with tether
straps.
Carefully follow all of the
manufacturer's instructions
included with the safety seat you
put in your vehicle. If you do not
install and use the safety seat
properly, the child may be
injured in a sudden stop or
collision.
Installing child safety seats in
combination lap and shoulder
belt seating positions
1. Position the child safety seat in
a seat with a combination lap and
shoulder belt.
Air bag can kill or injure a
child in a child seat. If you
must use a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat, move seat
all the way back.
Seating and safety restraints
82

able to pull more belt out). If the
retractor is not locked, unbuckle
the belt and repeat steps two
through nine.
Check to make sure the child seat
is properly secured before each
use.
Attaching safety seats with
tether straps
Some manufacturers make safety
seats that include a tether strap
that goes over the back of the
vehicle seat and attaches to an
anchoring point. Other
manufacturers offer the tether
strap as an accessory. Contact the
manufacturer of your child safety
seat for information about ordering
a tether strap.
Tether anchorage hardware
A tethered seat can be installed in
the front seat. Put the tether strap
over the seatback and attach it to
a anchor bracket.
An anchor bracket can be installed
on the rear edge of the front seat
cushion.
The provision (attaching hole) is
provided in the rear edge of the
front passenger seat cushion
frame. The anchorbracket must be
installed using the instructions
provided with the kit.
Tether anchorage hardware kits
(part number 613D74) including
instructions, may be obtained at no
charge from any Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Seating and safety restraints
85

Tighten the anchor
according to specifications.
Otherwise, the safety seat may
not be properly secured and the
child may be injured in a sudden
stop or collision.
BUILT-IN CHILD SEATS
Built-in child safety seat
(if equipped)
The rear seat may include a
built-in child seat. This child seat
conforms to all Federal and local
motor vehicle safety standard.
Read the labels located on the
child seat cushion and shoulder
belt for information on the built-in
child seat.
Use the built-in child seatonlyif
the child is at least 9 months old,
weighs 9±29 kg (20±60 lb) and the
child's shoulders (top) are below
the shoulder harness slots in the
built-in child seat.
Children not meeting these
requirements should be secured in
an approved aftermarket seat.
Refer toChildren and infant or
child safety seatsin this chapter.
Seating and safety restraints
86

5. Slide the Velcrotstraps through
the D-rings on the child seat
cushion and attach.
6. Slide the head restraint down
until the top of the head restraint
is flush with the top of the adult
seat back.
7. Press firmly on the top center of
the built-in child safety seat head
restraint to ensure it is stowed
properly.
Inspecting the built-in child seat
after a collision
Inspect all built-in child restraints,
including seats, buckles, retractors,
seat latches. Interlocks and
attaching hardware should be
inspected by a qualified technician
after any collision. If the child seat
was in use during a collision, Ford
recommends replacing it. Built-in
child restraints not in use during a
collision should be inspected and
replaced if either damage or
improper operation is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
93

a tire could result in damage to
driveline components and make
the vehicle difficult to control.
Location of the spare tire and
tools
The spare tire and tools for your
vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just in front of
the rear bumper
Jack, lug nut wrench Left rear quarter panel behind
interior trim
Jack handle Behind rear seats, under carpet
Removing the spare tire
1. Insert the jack handle into the
rear bumper opening.
The handle will stop moving and
forward resistance to turning will
be felt when properly engaged.
2. Turn the handle
counterclockwise until tire is
lowered to the ground, the tire can
be slid rearward and the cable is
slightly slack.
3. Remove the retainer from the
spare tire.
Stowing the spare
1. Lay the tire on the ground with
the valve stem facing up.
Roadside emergencies
145

Cleaning and maintaining the
safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild
soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do
not bleach or dye the belts,
because these actions may weaken
the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system
periodically to make sure there are
no nicks, wear or cuts. If your
vehicle has been involved in an
accident, refer to theSafety belt
maintenancesection in the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Cleaning the built-in child seat
(if equipped)
Clean with mild soap and water.
Do not use household cleaning
products because they may
weaken the safety belt webbing or
damage the vinyl parts of the seat.
The child seat liner is removable
and may be machine-washed and
air dried.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of
vehicle frequently. Keep body
drain holes unplugged. Inspect for
road damage.
Cleaning leather seats
(if equipped)
For routine cleaning, wipe the
surface with a soft, damp cloth.
For more thorough cleaning, wipe
the surface with a mild soap.
Maintenance and care
201

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................73
and child safety seats ..............75
description ................................74
disposal ......................................78
indicator light ...........................77
passenger air bag .....................76
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .......18,21,23
Air suspension
description ..............................103
All wheel drive (AWD) .............118
Ambulance packages ....................3
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)..101
Anti-theft system ........................55
Autolamp system (see
Headlamps) .................................38
Automatic dimming mirror ...37,38
Battery .......................................173
voltage gauge ............................14
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............162
Brakes ........................................100
anti-lock ...................................100
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................101
fluid, checking and adding ....162
Brake-shift interlock .................104
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................190
headlamps ...............................191
specifications ..........................193
Cargo cover ............................44,45
Changing a tire .........................144
Child safety seats ........................81
built-in child seat ......86,87,91,92
Childproof locks ..........................41
Chime
headlamps on ............................12
Cleaning your vehicle ...............196
built-in child seat ...................201engine compartment ..............197
fabric ........................................200
instrument panel ....................200
plastic parts ............................199
safety belts ..............................201
tail lamps .................................200
washing ....................................196
waxing .....................................196
wheels ......................................199
windows ..................................203
woodtone trim ........................203
Compass, electronic ....................35
calibration .................................37
set zone adjustment .................36
Control trac 4WD system .........111
Controls .......................................42
Defrost
rear window ..............................24
Driving under special
conditions ...........................115,120
high water ........................115,120
slippery roads ....116,117,121,122
Emission control system ..........187
Engine ........................................209
service points ...................156,157
Engine block heater ...................97
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............164
disposal ....................................166
refill capacities ........................167
Engine oil ...........................158,161
changing oil and oil filter .......161
checking and adding .......158,160
Exhaust fumes ............................98
Floor mats ...................................43
Foglamps .....................................16
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
control trac ........................25,111
special driving
instructions ......................113,114
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......187
Index
213

replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................49
replacing the batteries .............48
Reporting safety defects ..........212
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................69,70
extension assembly ..................71
for children ...............................78
lap and shoulder belts .............68
maintenance ..............................72
proper use .................................66
warning light and
chime ...............................11,71,72
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....85
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................82
tether anchorage hardware .....85
Seats ............................................62
adjusting the seat, manual .......62
adjusting the seat, power ........63
folding rear seats ......................65
lumbar support .........................64
rear seat access ........................65
Servicing your vehicle ..............154
precautions when servicing ...154
Snowplowing .................................3
Special notice
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .207
Speed control ..............................26
canceling a set speed ...............29
indicator light ...........................30
resuming a set speed ...............30
tap up/tap down .......................28
turning off .................................26
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle ........94,95,97
Storage compartments
overhead storage
compartment .............................33Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................14
Tilt steering wheel ......................31
Tires ....................................176,179
checking the pressure ............179
replacing ..................................181
rotating ....................................179
snow tires and chains ............182
treadwear ................................177
Traction-lok rear axle ........123,172
Trailer towing ............................127
tips ...........................................132
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................172
Transmission .............................169
automatic
operation .........................104,105,
106,107,108,109,110
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................169
Trip odometer .............................14
Turn signal
lever ...........................................25
Vehicle dimensions ...................209
Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................194
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................211
Vehicle loading ..........................123
Ventilating your vehicle .............99
Warning chimes .............................6
Windows
power windows, operating .......39
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....163
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................175
operation ...................................32
Wrecker towing .........................152
Index
215