1999 Mercury Mountaineer warning light

ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on and the engine is off. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced.
With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal
braking is still effective unless the
brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake
released. (If your brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately).
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the ABS is
required, apply continuous full force on the brake. The ABS will be
activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full steering control
of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will enable you
to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
²The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time necessary to apply
the brakes or always reduce stopping distance. Always leave enough
room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to 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.
!
BRAKE
Driving
144

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the charging system warning light, ªCheck Engineº light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Maintenance and care
221

Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, items, sells,
leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not permitted
to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it from
working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on the
Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service
Engine Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light
on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Foglamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Brakelamps
Maintenance and care
222

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................125
and child safety seats ............127
description .......................126,129
disposal ....................................131
indicator light ..................129,131
passenger air bag ............127,130
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system..24,25,26,27,28,29
rear seat controls .....................30
Air suspension
description ..............................145
warning light .............................10
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................157
Armrests ....................................103
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ..................147,148,149,
150,151,152
Axle
refill capacities ........................233
Battery
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................143
anti-lock ............................143,144
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................144
fluid, checking and adding ....197
shift interlock ..........................146
Break-in period ..........................2,3
Cargo area shade ......................104
Cargo cover ...............................104
CD player .....................76,78,79,80
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..137
in rear seat ..............................135
tether anchorage hardware ...138
Cleaning your vehicle ...............227
engine compartment ..............228
exterior .............................228,230exterior lamps .........................230
interior .....................................231
plastic parts ............................230
washing ....................................227
waxing .....................................228
wheels ......................................229
windows ..................................232
wiper blades ............................230
woodtone trim ........................232
Compass, electronic ....................90
calibration .................................92
set zone adjustment .................91
Console ...............................101,102
overhead ...............................87,88
rear ..........................................102
Controls
power seat ........................116,118
Coolant ......................................201
checking and adding ..............199
refill capacities ........................201
Defrost
rear window ..............................31
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................205
Driving under special
conditions ...........................156,159
sand ..................................156,158
snow and ice ......155,157,158,160
through water ..................156,158
Emission control system ..........221
Engine
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................6
coolant .....................................199
idle speed control ...................206
service points ...................193,194
starting after a collision .........169
Engine block heater .................141
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............196
dipstick ....................................194
specifications ...................194,196
Index
242

Exhaust fumes ..........................142
Floor mats .................................103
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ..............................9,10,152
control trac .............................152
description ................153,154,155
driving off road ................155,158
electronic shift ..........................32
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........214
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................220
detergent in fuel .....................215
filling your vehicle with fuel....213,
216
gauge .........................................15
quality ......................................215
running out of fuel .................216
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................213
Fuses ............................170,171,172
Gas mileage (see
Fuel economy) .....217,218,219,220
Gauges .........................................11
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................12
engine oil pressure gauge ........14
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................162
Hazard flashers .........................169
Headlamps
aiming ......................................227
autolamp system ..................97,98
bulb specifications ..................226
high beam ..............................9,20
warning chime ..........................11
Heating ........................................21
heating and air conditioning
system .............................21,22,23
Hood ..........................................192
Ignition .......................................237Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................222
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................231
Keyless entry system
autolock ............................109,110
keypad .....................................111
locking and unlocking doors ..112
programming entry
code ..................................111,112
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
positions of the ignition ...........80
Lamps
daytime running light ...............20
fog lamps ...................................20
headlamps .................................20
headlamps, flash to pass ..........21
instrument panel, dimming .....21
replacing bulbs ................222,223
,224,225,226
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................80
Liftgate ......................................103
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................7
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check coolant ..............................9
cruise indicator .........................10
door ajar ....................................10
fuel reset .....................................7
overdrive off ..............................10
safety belt ...................................8
speed control ............................84
turn signal indicator ...................8
Locks
childproof ................................100
Lumbar support, seats .............116
Message center ......................15,16
Index
243

economy button ........................17
english/metric button ...............16
reset button ..............................17
system check button ...........17,18
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................98
cleaning ...................................232
heated ......................................101
side view mirrors (power) .....101
Moon roof ....................................89
Motorcraft parts ........................217
Octane rating ............................215
Odometer .....................................13
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................106
Parking brake ............................144
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................175
Power door locks ......................100
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....201
Radio ...34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,
43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,
54,55,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,
66,67,68,69
Relays ........................................170
Remote entry system .......105,113,
114,115
illuminated entry ....................109
locking/unlocking doors .........106
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................109
replacing the batteries ...........108
Reverse sensing system .............32
Roof rack ...................................167
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............11
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts .125,231
extension assembly ................124
for children .............................132warning light and chime ...11,124
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ......119,120,121,122,123
Seats ..........................................116
child safety seats ....................133
cleaning ............................230,231
memory seat ...........................107
Servicing your vehicle ..............191
Snowplowing .................................3
Spark plugs, specifications .......233
Special notice ................................3
ambulance conversions ..............3
utility-type vehicles ....................3
Specification chart, lubricants .235
Speed control ..............................81
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle .........139,141
jump starting ............183,184,186
Steering wheel ............................86
tilting .........................................85
Tachometer .................................13
Tires ....................................209,210
changing ...........................178,179
checking the pressure ............210
replacing ..................................211
rotating ....................................210
snow tires and chains ............212
tire grades ...............................210
treadwear ................................209
Towing ..................163,165,166,167
recreational towing .................167
wrecker ....................................189
Traction-lok rear axle ...............160
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................205
Transmission ......................146,203
automatic operation ...............146
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ......................203,204
Trip odometer .............................13
Index
244