1998 Mercury Mountaineer manual transmission

there is sufficient space, will
enable you to avoid obstacles
and bring the vehicle to a
controlled stop.
²We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First)
(manual transmission).
The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop
!
BRAKE
Driving
102

Utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds
as high as passenger cars any
more than low-slung sports cars
are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
Using the Control-Trac system
Shifting between 4WD AUTO
and 4WD HIGH
When you move the control to
4WD HIGH, the indicator light will
illuminate in the instrument
cluster. When you move the
control to 4WD AUTO, the
indicator light will turn off.
Either shift can be done at a stop
or while driving at any speed.
Shifting from 4WD AUTO or
4WD HIGH to 4WD LOW
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N
(Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or depress the clutch (manual
transmission).
4. Move the 4WD control to the
4WD LOW position.
HIGH
LOW AUTO
HIGH
LOW AUTO
Driving
113

Shifting from 4WD LOW to 4WD
AUTO or 4WD HIGH
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N
(Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or depress the clutch (manual
transmission).
4. Move the 4WD control to the
4WD AUTO or 4WD HIGH position.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped
for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating
characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional
vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at
all times, especially in rough
terrain. Since sudden changes in
terrain can result in abrupt
steering wheel motion, make sure
you grip the steering wheel from
the outside. Do not grip the
spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle
damage from concealed objects
such as rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain
or examine maps of the area
before driving. Map out your route
before driving in the area. For
more information on driving
off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº
supplement in your owner's
portfolio.HIGH
LOW AUTO
Driving
114

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