2001 Mercury Mountaineer Owner's Manuals

Waxing your vehicle
Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce minor scratches and
paint damage.
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a cleaning fluid with a
clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing your vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any surfaces which appear
coarse or bumpy. If you have wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507±BA), Lacquer
Touch-up Paint (#ALBZ-19500±XXXXA), or Exterior Acrylic Spray
Lacquer (#ALAZ-19500±XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line.
Please note that the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with
your vehicle's specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on
the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
Maintenance and care
241

²Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
²5.0L
²4.0L SOHC
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
Maintenance and care
242

The brushes used in some automatic car washes may damage the finish
on your wheels. Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
Cleaning non-painted plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a tar remover if
necessary. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of your vehicle. If
necessary, use a tar remover such as Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road
Oil Remover (B7A-19520±AA).
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades, windshield and rear window
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blade rubber
element with undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could be caused by
substances on the windshield or rear window such as tree sap and some
hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean the outside of
the windshield or rear window with a non-abrasive cleaner such as Ford
Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner, (E4AZ-19C507±AA), available from your
Ford Dealer.Do notuse abrasive cleansers on glass as they may cause
scratches. The windshield or rear window is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water. The windshield, rear window and wiper
blades should be cleaned on a regular basis, and blades or rubber
elements replaced when worn.
Cleaning seats equipped with side air bags
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Follow the directions that come with
the cleaner. Do not saturate the seat cover with upholstery cleaner.
Maintenance and care
243

Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the seat mounted side air bag. Such products could contaminate
the side air bag system and affect performance of the side air bag in a
collision.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the air bag system.
Cleaning the instrument cluster lens
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the lens.
Cleaning the overhead console
Clean with a damp cloth, then wipe dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the console. The dull
finish in this area helps protect the driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.
Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Do not use household or glass cleaners.
These agents can stain and discolor the fabric. Use a mild soap and
water solution if necessary.
Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belts, because
these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system periodically to make sure there are no
nicks, wear or cuts. If your vehicle has been involved in an accident,
refer to theSafety belt maintenancesection in theSeating and safety
restraintschapter.
Maintenance and care
244

Cleaning leather seats (if equipped)
To clean, simply use a soft cloth dampened with water and a mild soap.
Wipe the leather again with a damp cloth to remove soap residue. Dry
with a soft cloth. For tougher soiling concerns, Ford recommends using
the Deluxe Leather Care Kit F8AZ-19G253±AA, which is available from
your Ford Dealer. This mild cleaner and special pad, cleans the leather
and maintains its natural beauty. Follow the instructions on the cleaner
label. Regular cleaning of your leather upholstery helps maintain its
resiliency and color.
Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions,
solvents or cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl or plastics.
Woodtone trim
Wipe stains with a soft cloth and a multi-purpose cleaning solution.
Inside windows
Use Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner (E4AZ-19C507±AA) for the inside
windows if they become fogged.
Cleaning mirrors
Do not clean your mirrors with a dry cloth or abrasive materials. Use a
soft cloth and mild detergent and water. Be careful when removing ice
from outside mirrors because you may damage the reflective surface.
Maintenance and care
245

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.0L SOHC V6 engine 5.0L V8 engine
Air filter element FA-1658 FA-1658
Fuel filter FG-986B FG-986B
Battery BXT-65-650 BXT-65-650
Oil filter FL-1A FL-820S
PCV valve EV-225 EV-152
Spark plugs* AGSF-22PP AWSF-32EE**
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs
with the service number suffix letter as shown on the engine decal.
Capacities and specifications
246

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Brake fluid High Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to the MAX
line on reservoir
Engine oil
(including filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
Oil4.0L 4.7L (5.0 quarts)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil5.0L 4.7L (5.0 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A All 87.1L
(23.0 gallons)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Transmission
fluid
1Motorcraft
MERCONtVATF4R70W
Automatic
with 5.0L V8
engine (AWD)13.1L
(13.9 quarts)2
5R55E
Automatic
with 4.0L
SOHC V6
engine (4x2)9.5L
(10.0 quarts)2
5R55E
Automatic
with 4.0L
SOHC V6
engine (4x4)9.8L
(10.3 quarts)2
Transfer case Motorcraft
MERCONtAT FAWD 1.25L (1.3 quarts)
4WD 1.4L (1.5 quarts)
Engine
coolant
3Premium Engine
Coolant4.0L SOHC
V6 engine15.4L
(16.3 quarts)
5.0L V8
engine14.9L
(15.7 quarts)
Capacities and specifications
247

Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Front axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
Lubricant4x4 vehicles 1.7L (1.8 quarts)
Rear axle
lubricant
4Motorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
LubricantRefer to
Footnote 52.9-3.1L
(5.5-5.8 pints)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantRefer to
Footnote 6
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateAll vehicles 2.6L (2.7 quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
2Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may
vary based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the
indication on the dipstick's normal operating range.
3Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
4Fill to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
5Vehicles equipped with a 4.0L SOHC V6 engine may be equipped with a
conventional rear axle. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
axle fluid change intervals.
6Vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC V6 engine and 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 rear
axle ratios or with a 5.0L V8 engine require synthetic rear axle lubricant.
Rear axles containing synthetic lubricant are lubricated for life. These
Capacities and specifications
248