1998 Mercury Mountaineer trailer

Trailer towing table (4x4 and AWD with automatic
transmission)
Notes:For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft) elevation. For definition of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle's load, refer toVehicle loadingin this chapter.
Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the
GCWR.
Towing a trailer over 907 kg (2 000 lbs.) requires a weight distributing
hitch.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of control, and
personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer, and make sure it
is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute
the load in your trailer so that 10
Driving
129

to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Use a frame-mounted weight
distributing hitch for trailers
over 907 kg (2 000 lb).
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the trailer's safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and
allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow
the instructions that the rental
agency gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual,
automatic or surge-type brakes are
safe if installed properly and
adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes
must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's
hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and
your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for
proper instructions and equipment
Driving
130

for hooking up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with
an integral hitch and requires only
a ball with a 19 mm (3/4 inch)
shank diameter. The bumper has a
1 590 kg (3 500 lb.) trailer weight
and 159 kg (350 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
Use a frame-mounted weight
distributing hitch for trailers over
1 590 kg (3 500 lb).
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear
when towing up or down steep
hills. This will eliminate
excessive downshifting and
upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission
cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule
in your ªService Guideº for more
information.
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131

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle trailer
combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer
wheels will clear curbs and
other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for
stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should
be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km
(50 miles), thoroughly check
your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
and increase idle speed. This
aids engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during
boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water
level to rise above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper and
Driving
132

The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
1 7.5A Power Mirror Switch
2 7.5A Blower Motor Relay, PAD Module,
Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor
3 7.5A Trailer Tow Connector
4 10A Left Headlamp
5 10A Data Link Connector (DLC)
6 7.5A Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor,
Blower Motor Relay, Passive
Deactivation (PAD) Module
7 7.5A Trailer Tow Connector
8 10A Right Headlamp, Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) Module, Foglamp
Relay
9 7.5A Stop Lamp Switch
10 7.5A Speed Control/Amplifier Assembly,
Brake Pressure Switch, Generic
electronic Module (GEM), Shift
Lock Actuator, Blend Door
Actuator, Main Light Switch,
RABS Resistor, A/C - Heater
Assembly, Flasher
11 7.5A Instrument Cluster, Main Light
Switch, RABS Resistor
12 10A Power Window Relay, Washer
Pump Relay
13 20A Stop Lamp Switch, Brake
Pressure Switch
14 20A Rear Anti-Lock Brake System
(RABS) Module
Roadside emergencies
139

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
30 15A Park Lamp/Trailer Tow Relay
31 Ð NOT USED
32 10A Rear Blower
33 15A Headlamps, Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) Module, Instrument
Cluster
34 7.5A Rear Integrated Control Panel, CD
35 10A RABS Test Connector
36 7.5A CD, Rear Integrated Control
Panel, Memory Seat, Message
Center
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is
located in the engine compartment
near the battery. The power
distribution box contains
high-current fuses that protect
your vehicle's main electrical
systems from overloads.
Always disconnect the
battery before servicing
high current fuses.
Roadside emergencies
141

Engine oil recommendations
Look for this certification mark.
Ford oil specification is
WSS-M2C153-G.
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil certified
for gasoline engines by the
American Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary
and could, under certain
conditions, lead to engine damage
which is not covered by your
warranty.
Changing the engine oil and
filter
Change your engine oil and filter
according to the following mileage
and time requirements, whichever
occurs first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule - 5,000
km (3,000 miles) or three
months. Severe duty operation
would include extensive idling,
trailer towing, driving in severe
dust and police, taxi or delivery
service.
Maintenance and care
161

fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working
properly, i.e., if the transmission
slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be
checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC
(150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface.
The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately
32 km (20 miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]) (see figure to the
right).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at room temperature
(10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]) (see
figure to the right).
If your 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 and engage the parking
brake.
2. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
DON’T ADD
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
170