1998 Mercury Mountaineer steering

If the transmission and transfer
case are submerged in water, their
fluids should be checked and
changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the
transmission may damage the
transmission.
If the rear axle is submerged in
water, the rear axle lubricant
should be checked and changed, if
necessary. The rear axle is filled
with a synthetic lubricant and does
not normally require a lubricant
change for the life of the vehicle.
Rear axle lubricant quantities
should not need to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
Driving on hilly or sloping
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.
Driving
121

HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. The
hazard flashers can be operated
when the ignition is off.
²The hazard lights control is
located on top of the steering
column.
²Depress hazard lights control to
activate all hazard flashers
simultaneously.
²Depress control again to turn
the flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not
start after a collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The ªFuel Resetº
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. The shut-off
switch is a device intended to stop
the electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset
the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the
ON position. Pause for a few
Roadside emergencies
135

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
PCM Power
RelayÐ PCM Power Relay
Fuel Pump Relay Ð Fuel Pump Relay
Horn Relay Ð Horn Relay
Washer Pump
RelayÐ Washer Pump Relay
Fog Lamp Relay Ð Fog Lamp Relay
Starter Relay Ð Starter Relay
Blower Motor
RelayÐ Blower Motor Relay
1 Resistor Fuse [7ca]
2 Diode Anti-Lock Brakes Indicator
3 Diode Electronic Engine Controls
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
15.0L Engines Only
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving,
do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your
speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe
place on the side of the road.
Spare tire information
Your vehicle is equipped with a
spare tire that may be used as a
spare or a regular tire. The spare
tire is not equipped with wheel
trim. The wheel trim from the
original wheel/tire may be used on
the spare.
If your vehicle is equipped with
4WD or AWD, a spare tire of a
different size than the road
tires should not be used. Such
Roadside emergencies
144

OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
steering column on the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle
and release the auxiliary latch that
is located under the front center of
the hood. Lift the hood until the
lift cylinders hold it open.
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.0L SOHC engine
9
13425
867
Maintenance and care
156

1. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
2. Transmission fluid dipstick
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Air filter assembly
9. Engine coolant reservoir
5.0L engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid
dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
1
23
6
54
879
Maintenance and care
157

7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Air filter assembly
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
Maintenance and care
158

regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your
vehicle's cooling system can hold,
refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Have your dealer check the engine
cooling system for leaks if you
have to add more than a liter
(quart) of engine coolant per
month.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold
climates (less than ±36ÉC [±34ÉF]),
it may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant
container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is
such that the coolant will not
freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during winter
months. Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above 60%.
Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle
year-round in non-extreme
climates.
CHECKING AND ADDING
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid at
least twice a year. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONt
ATF power steering fluid.
Maintenance and care
167

²4.0L SOHC engine
²5.0L engine
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge will be near the
center of the NORMAL band).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir.
5.If your vehicle is equipped
with a 4.0L SOHC engine or a
5.0L engine,the fluid level should
be between the MIN and MAX
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
Maintenance and care
168