1998 Mercury Mountaineer Owner's Manuals

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.
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161

Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake
fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed at least once
each year:
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid
until the level reaches MAX. Do
not fill above this line.
MAX
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162

4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford
specifications. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin theCapacities
and specificationschapter.
Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use a brake fluid
that is not DOT 3, you will
cause permanent damage to your
brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for
the master cylinder run
dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer
fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
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163

Do not put engine coolant
in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
ENGINE COOLANT
Check the level of the coolant in
the reservoir at least once a
month. Be sure to read and
understandPrecautions when
servicing your vehiclein this
chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been
checked for a long period of time,
the engine coolant reservoir may
eventually empty. If this occurs,
add engine coolant to the coolant
reservoir. For more information on
engine coolant maintenance, refer
toAdding engine coolantin this
chapter.
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
Do not put engine coolant
in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
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164

If sprayed on the windshield,
engine coolant could make it
difficult to see through the
windshield.
When the engine is cool, add a
50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant
recovery reservoir-DO NOT ADD
DIRECTLY TO THE RADIATOR.
Add straight water only in an
emergency, but you should replace
it with a 50/50 mixture of coolant
and distilled water as soon as
possible.
Check the coolant level in the
coolant recovery reservoir the next
few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough of a 50/50
mixture of coolant and water to
bring the liquid level to the fill line
on the reservoir.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
If you must remove the coolant
recovery cap, follow these steps to
avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn
the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a
thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise to the
first stop.
3. Step back while the pressure
releases.
4. When you are sure that all the
pressure has been released, use
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165

the cloth to press the cap down,
turn it counterclockwise and
remove it.
Use Ford Premium Cooling System
Fluid E2FZ-19549±AA (in Canada,
Motorcraft CXC-8±B) or an
equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford specification
ESE-M97B44±A. Ford Premium
Engine Coolant is an optimized
formula that will protect all metals
and rubber elastomers used in
Ford cooling systems for four years
or 80,000 km (50,000 miles).
Do not use alcohol or methanol
antifreeze or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use
supplemental coolant additives in
your vehicle. These additives may
harm your engine cooling system.
The use of an improper coolant
may void your warranty of your
vehicle's engine cooling system.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine
coolant produced by
Ford-approved processes. Not all
coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44±A, and
use of such coolant may harm
engine and cooling system
components.
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's
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166

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
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168