1998 Mercury Mountaineer transmission fluid

Once through water, always try the
brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes.
Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying
light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean
off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts and tires. Excess mud
stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance
that could damage drive
components.
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
Driving
116

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

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

lines. Do not add fluid if the level
is in this range.
7. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the correct operating range. Be
sure to put the cap back on the
reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking and adding automatic
transmission fluid
Follow the scheduled service
intervals outlined in the ªService
Guide.º
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type is used. The type
of fluid used is normally indicated
on the dipstick and/or dipstick
handle and also in theLubricant
specificationssection in the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the bottom hole on
the dipstick and outside
temperatures are above 10ÉC
(50ÉF) (see figure to the right).
Your transmission does not use up
fluid. However, it is recommended
that you check the transmission
fluid at least twice a year. The
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Maintenance and care
169

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
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Maintenance and care
170

gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in P
(Park) and leave the engine
running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry lint free
rag.
5. Install the dipstick making sure
it is fully seated in the filler tube.
6. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. The fluid level
should be within the top hole area
on the dipstick.
7. If necessary, add fluid in .25L
(1/2 pint) increments through the
filler tube until the level is correct.
8. If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
If the fluid level is above the
crosshatch (hot operating range)
area after driving the vehicle for
approximately 30 km (20 miles),
excess transmission fluid should be
removed by a qualified technician.
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Maintenance and care
171

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication
Capacity
Transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F4R70W
Automatic with
5.0L engine
(AWD)13.1L
(13.9 quarts)
5R55E
Automatic with
4.0L SOHC
engine (4x2)9.25L
(9.75 quarts)
5R55E
Automatic with
4.0L SOHC
engine (4x4)9.55L
(10.0 quarts)
Transfer case Motorcraft
MERCONtAT FAWD 1.25L
(1.3 quarts)
4WD 1.4L
(1.5 quarts)
Engine coolant Ford Premium
Cooling System
Fluid4.0L engine 7.4L
(7.8 quarts)
5.0L engine 12.1L
(12.8 quarts)
Front axle fluid Motorcraft
80W90 Axle
LubricantAll
1.7L (3.5 pints)
Rear axle
fluid
1,2,3,4Motorcraft SAE
80W90 Axle
LubricantVehicles with
conventional
axles
2.9-3.1L
(5.50-5.80 pints) Motorcraft SAE
75W140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
footnotes 2 and
3
Capacities and specifications
205

FluidFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Automatic
transmission
(4R70W)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONtV
Automatic
transmission
(5R55E)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM MERCONtV
Power steering
reservoirMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Ford
conventional and
traction lok rear
axlesRefer to
footnotes 1, 2
and 3Refer to
footnotes 1, 2
and 3o footnotes 1, 2
and 3
Front axle 4x4 Gear Oil F1TZ-19580-A WSL-M2C191-A
Transfer caseMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Transfer case
Front Output
Slip ShaftPremium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-G or K ESA-M1C75-B
14.0L vehicles with conventional
and Traction-lok rear axles are
filled with Motorcraft SAE 80W90
Premium Rear Axle Lube, part
number XY-80W90±QL, Ford
specification WSP-M2C197±A.
24.0L vehicles with limited slip
differentials and all 5.0L
applications use rear axles that are
filled with Motorcraft SAE 75W140
High Performance Synthetic Rear
Axle Lube, part number
F1TZ-19580±B, Ford specification
WSL-M2C192±A.
34.0L vehicles with limited slip
differentials and all 5.0L
Capacities and specifications
208