1999 Mercury Mountaineer check oil

High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toSecuriLockypassive
anti-theft systemin theControls
and featureschapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Check gage
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high, the engine oil
pressure is low or the fuel gauge is
at or near empty. The ignition must
be in the ON position for this lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also
illuminate for several seconds after the ignition is turned to the ON
position. Refer toEngine coolant temperature gauge, Engine oil
pressure gaugeorFuel gaugein this chapter for more information.
Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON.
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is engaged. If the light continues
to flash have the system serviced.
THEFT
CHECK
GAGE
4WD
LOW
Instrumentation
9

Battery voltage gauge
This gauge shows the battery
voltage when the ignition is in the
ON position. If the pointer moves
and stays outside the normal
operating range (as indicated), have
the vehicle's electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle remains
in the normal range (the area
between the ªLº and ªHº).
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer toEngine
oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified technician.
L
H
H
L
Instrumentation
14

Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF position while
the vehicle is being refueled. When
the gauge first indicates empty,
there is a small amount of reserve
fuel in the tank. When refueling the
vehicle from empty indication, the
amount of fuel that can be added will be less than the advertised
capacity due to the reserve fuel.
The FUEL DOOR icon and arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the
fuel filler door is located.
MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the ON position,
the message center displays
important vehicle information
through a constant monitor of
vehicle systems. You may select
display features on the message
center for a display of status
preceded by a brief indicator chime.
The system will also notify you of
potential vehicle problems with a
display of system warnings.
EF
ENGLISH
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL CHANGE
RESETFUEL
Instrumentation
15

Selectable features
English/metric display
Press to toggle the message center
display between metric or English
units.
Fuel range
Press once to display the
approximate kilometers (miles) left
to drive before the fuel tank is
empty.
Press again to display the distance
driven since this function was last
manually reset.
For maximum accuracy of this
display feature, the ignition should
be in the OFF position during
fueling. The display FUEL LEVEL ERROR indicates a problem with the
fuel indication system. See your dealer or qualified service technician for
system maintenance.
Fuel status
Press once to display the
approximate amount of fuel
remaining in the fuel tank.
Press again to display the
approximate amount of fuel used
since the system was last reset.
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
16

Fuel economy
Press to display your vehicle's
average fuel economy in liters/100
km or (miles/gallons).
Reset
Press the reset control to reset the
current feature being displayed.
Warnings, distance driven, average
fuel economy, fuel used and
personalized oil reset percentage are
the only features that respond to
reset.
System check
Press the system check control to
display the status of the following
systems:
²engine oil life left
²engine oil level
²voltage level
²engine coolant temperature
²washer fluid level
²fuel level
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
17

The engine oil life left has two phases. The first display will indicate the
oil change status (OK, SOON, REQUIRED). The second display will
indicate the percentage of oil life remaining. The display OIL TEMP
SIGNAL ERROR indicates a problem with the system. Following this
display, contact your dealer or qualified service technician for system
maintenance.
Operating the message center during system check
The message center controls can be operated as follows during the
system check sequence:
1. Press the system check controls to advance to the next display.
2. Press the reset control to immediately conclude the system check.
3. Press the range, fuel status or fuel economy control to conclude the
system check and display the requested feature.
4. Press the metric/English control to conclude the system check and
change the previous display to the new mode.
5. Press the oil change reset control to conclude the system check and
begin the oil change reset procedure.
An oil change is recommended whenever indicated by the message
center. Use only recommended engine oils.
The message center will tell you the percent of oil life left during system
check. This percentage is based on your driving history and the time
since your last oil change. In order to ensure accurate oil life left
indications, you should only perform the following procedure after you
have the oil changed.
Oil change reset
Press the OIL CHANGE RESET
control to reset the oil life feature to
100% (or your personalized oil reset
percentage) (at optimal driving
conditions, 100% oil life is
equivalent to a maximum of 12 000
kilometers [7 500 miles]). After you
have the oil changed, you must
press and hold the OIL CHANGE
RESET control for five seconds. The
message center will count down for
five seconds. After a successful reset, the message center will display
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
18

OIL LIFE RESET TO 100%. (If you have established a personalized oil
reset percentage, the display will show that percentage instead of 100%.)
This reset procedure should be performed only after an oil change to
ensure accurate oil life indications.
Your personalized oil reset percentage allows you to establish a smaller
oil change interval than the manufacturer's recommended interval. To
establish your personalized oil reset percentage:
1. Press and hold the OIL CHANGE RESET control and press the RESET
control while the display is still counting down the 5 seconds to reset.
The display will change to START OIL LIFE AT XXX%.
2. Press the OIL CHANGE RESET control until the displayed percentage
is the personalized oil reset percentage you desire. Your choices are
100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40% and 30%.
3. Press the RESET control to
complete the procedure. Pressing
any control other than RESET or
OIL CHANGE RESET will abort this
procedure and will not establish
your new personalized oil reset
percentage.
When your personalized oil reset
percentage has been established, it
will be used beginning with the
completion of your next OIL CHANGE RESET procedure.
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
19

5.0L V8 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Air filter assembly
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil .
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
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Maintenance and care
194