2001 Mercury Mountaineer four wheel drive

When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than 16 km/h (10 mph), the speed control
will cancel automatically. Resume speed with accelerator pedal.
If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button (to resume speeds over 50 km/h
(30 mph).
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
D (Drive).
Driving on snow and ice
A 4WD vehicle has advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
When braking, apply the brakes as you normally would. In order to allow
the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to operate properly, keep steady
pressure on the brake pedal.
Allow more stopping distance and drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED) (5.0L ENGINES
ONLY)
Your vehicle is equipped with a full-time All Wheel Drive (AWD) transfer
case. Power is supplied to all four wheels all the time with no need to
shift between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.
For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the AWD transfer
case refer toCapacities and specificationschapter.
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenotdesigned 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.
Driving
164

Driving off-road with AWD
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.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by shifting
from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady
pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
Driving
165

Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
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 the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
Maintenance and care
232

Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................216
Driving under special
conditions ..........................163, 166
mud ..........................162±163, 165
sand .................................163, 165
snow and ice ...162, 164±165, 167
through water .........163, 165, 170
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................190
Emission control system ..........232
Engine ................................251±252
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................8
cleaning ...................................241
coolant .....................................207
idle speed control ...................217
lubrication
specifications ..................249, 251
refill capacities ........................247
service points ..................200±201
starting after a collision .........178
Engine block heater .................146
Engine oil ..................................201
checking and adding ..............201
dipstick ....................................201
filter, specifications ........204, 246
recommendations ...................204
refill capacities ........................247
specifications ..................249, 251
Exhaust fumes ..........................146
F
Floor mats .................................100
Fluid capacities .........................247Foglamps .....................................21
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................12, 159
control trac .......................33, 159
description ......................160±161
driving off road ...............162, 165
electronic shift ..........................33
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................152
Fuel ............................................224
calculating fuel
economy ............................18, 229
cap .......................................9, 228
capacity ...................................247
choosing the right fuel ...........226
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................232
detergent in fuel .....................227
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................224, 228±229
filter, specifications ........229, 246
fuel pump shut-off switch .....178
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........229
octane rating ...........227, 251±252
quality ......................................227
running out of fuel .................228
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................224
Fuses ..................................179±180
G
Garage door opener ..............85, 89
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ........9, 228
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................229
Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
Index
270