2001 Mercury Mountaineer tow

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10±15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Do not tow your vehicle with all wheels on the ground as vehicle damage
may occur.
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174

LUGGAGE RACK
Maximum load is 75 kg (165 lbs), evenly distributed. If it is not possible
to distribute the load, position it as far rearward as possible. Adjustable
tie down loops (not equipped) must be used to secure the load.
To adjust cross-bar position:
1. Slide the locking switches at each
end of the crossbar toward the rear
of the vehicle until UNLOCKED
appears.
2. Slide cross-bar to the desired
location.
3. Lock the cross-bar into position
by pushing the locking switches on
each end of the crossbar toward the
front of the vehicle.
The rear rack can be completely
removed in the UNLOCKED position
by sliding the cross-bar rearward
until it frees the guides.
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175

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford offers a
complimentary roadside assistance program. This program is separate
from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the Basic warranty period (Canada) or New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period (U.S.) of three years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles),
whichever comes first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and four years or
80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire
²jump-starts
²lock-out assistance
²fuel delivery
²towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford dealership, or your
selling dealer if within 25 kms (15.5 miles) of the nearest Ford
Dealership (one tow per disablement). Even non-warranty related
tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound towing or repossession).
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, it is found in
the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
To receive roadside assistance in the United States for Ford or Mercury
vehicles, call 1-800-241-3673 or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call
1±800±521±4140. In Canada call 1±800±665±2006.
Should you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford will
reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain information about
reimbursement, call 1-800-241-3673 in the United States for Ford or
Mercury vehicles; or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call 1±800±521±4140.
Call 1±800±665±2006 in Canada.
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176

The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 7.5A Power Mirror Switch, Power Antenna,
Memory Seat
2 7.5A Blower Motor Relay, Air Bag
Diagnostic Monitor
3 7.5A Left Stop/Turn Trailer Tow Connector
4 10A Left Headlamp
5 10A Data Link Connector (DLC)
6 7.5A Rear Blower Motor (Without EATC)
7 7.5A Right Stop/Turn Trailer Tow Connector
8 10A Right Headlamp, Foglamp Relay
9 7.5A Brake Pedal Position Switch
10 7.5A Speed Control/Amplifier Assembly,
Generic Electronic Module (GEM),
Shift Lock Actuator, Blend Door
Actuator, A/C - Heater Assembly,
Flasher, Overhead Console, Load
Leveling Module
1 234
5 678
9 101112
13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24
25 26
29 30
35 36
313233
34
27 28
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
11 7.5A Instrument Cluster
12 7.5A Washer Pump Relay, Rear Washer
Pump Relay
13 20A Brake Pedal Position Switch, Brake
Pressure Switch
14 10A 4 Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
(4WABS) Module, 4WABS Main Relay
15 7.5A Instrument Cluster
16 30A Windshield Wiper Motor, Wiper Hi-Lo
Relay, Wiper Run/Park Relay
17 25A Cigar Lighter
18 25A Drivers Unlock Relay, All Unlock Relay,
All Lock Relay, Power Seats
19 25A PCM Power Diode
20 7.5A RAP Module, Generic Electronic
Module (GEM), Radio, Cellular Phone
21 15A Flasher (Hazard)
22 20A Auxiliary Power Socket
23 Ð Not Used
24 7.5A Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) Switch,
Starter Interrupt Relay, Anti-Theft
25 7.5A Generic Electronic Module (GEM),
Instrument Cluster, Securi-Lock
26 10A Battery Saver Relay, Electronic Shift
Relay, Interior Lamp Relay, Electronic
Shift Control Module
27 15A DRL, Backup Lamps Switch, DTR
Sensor
28 7.5A Generic Electronic Module (GEM),
Radio, Memory Seat
29 25A Radio
30 15A Park Lamp/Trailer Tow Relay
31 Ð Not Used
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182

CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Spare tire information
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire that must be used for
emergencies only. The spare tire for your vehicle is not as wide as a
regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace this tire
with a full-size tire as soon as possible.
If your vehicle is equipped with 4WD or AWD, a spare tire of a
different size than the road tires should not be used. Such a tire
could result in damage to driveline components and make the
vehicle difficult to control.
Location of the spare tire and tools
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just in front of
the rear bumper
Jack, lug nut wrench Left rear quarter panel behind
interior trim
Jack handle Lower rear seat base
Removing the spare tire
1. Insert the jack handle into the
rear bumper opening.
The handle will stop moving and
forward resistance to turning will be
felt when properly engaged.
2. Turn the handle counterclockwise
until tire is lowered to the ground,
the tire can be slid rearward and the
cable is slightly slack.
3. Remove the retainer from the spare tire.
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186

Stowing the spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing up.
2. Slide the wheel under the vehicle
and install the retainer through the
wheel center.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise
until the tire is raised to its original
position underneath the vehicle. The
jack handle ratchets when the tire is
raised to the stowed position. It will
not allow you to overtighten.
Tire change procedure
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
Refer to the instruction sheet for detailed tire change instructions.
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
and turn engine OFF.
When one of the rear
wheels is off the ground,
the transmission alone will not
prevent the vehicle from moving
or slipping off the jack, even if the
transmission is in P (Park).
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187

3. Block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
4. Use the tip of the lug wrench to
remove any wheel trim.
5. Loosen each wheel lug nut, but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
6. Turn OFF the air suspension
switch (if equipped). Refer toAir
suspension systemin theDriving
chapter.
7. Position the jack according to the following guides and turn the jack
handle clockwise until the tire is a maximum of 25 mm (1 inch) off the
ground.
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188