2001 Mercury Mountaineer automatic transmission

²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
Audio system warranties and service
Refer to the ªWarranty Guideº for audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
²Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
²Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.
3
1
2
5
4
Controls and features
77

Reasons given... Consider...
9I have an air bag9Air bags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
9I'd rather be thrown clear9Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely to
DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN'T9PICK OUR
CRASH9.
Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to avoid the Belt
Minder chime. Sitting on the safety belt will increase the risk of
injury in an accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the Belt
Minder feature please follow the directions stated below.
One time disable
Anytime the safety belt is buckled and then unbuckled during an ignition
ON cycle, Belt Minder will be disabled for that ignition cycle only.
Deactivating/activating the belt minder feature
Read steps1-9thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The Belt Minder feature can be deactivated/activated by performing the
following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
²the parking brake is set
²the gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission).
²the ignition switch is in the OFF position
²all vehicle doors are closed
²the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
²the parklamps/headlamps are in OFF position (If vehicle is equipped
with Autolamps, the Autolamps featureMUSTbe turned off.)
To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the Belt
Minder feature while driving the vehicle.
Seating and safety restraints
125

Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling people and cargo may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Use extra caution while becoming familiar with your vehicle. Know the
capabilities and limitations of both you as a driver and your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between 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.
Driving
153

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission (if equipped)
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park).
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
Understanding gearshift positions
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents
the rear wheels from turning.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift
lever is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
Driving
154

N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch on the gearshift lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in
the
position. The O/D OFF indicator will illuminate on the instrument
cluster. Transmission operates in gears one through three.
(Drive)
provides more engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to
Driving while you towin theTrailer Towingchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control
switch. The O/D OFF indicator will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to cancel overdrive operation if driving in
overdrive is not desired.
O/D
ON/OFF
O/ D
OFF
Driving
155

2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades. Transmission operates
only in Second gear.
1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep downgrades.
Upshifts can be made by shifting to
2 (Second) or to
(Overdrive).
Selecting 1 (Low) at higher speeds
causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear, and will shift to 1 (Low)
after vehicle decelerates to the proper speed.
Forced Downshifts
To gain acceleration in(Overdrive) or Drive (O/D OFF) when passing
another vehicle, push the accelerator to the floor. The transmission will
downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second or first gear.
Driving with a 5±speed automatic transmission (if equipped)
Your automatic transmission electronically controls the shift feel by using
an adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to increase
durability, and provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. It
is normal for a new transmission to shift firmly. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Once the vehicle is at operating temperature it may take
several shifts at the same operating condition for the transmission to
properly adapt. Over time the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. The more varied the driving habits, speed and
torque, the longer it may take to adapt but the more complete the
process will be.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must learn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will fully update transmission operation to its optimum shift feel.
Driving
156

(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission control
switch on the end of the gearshift
lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in
the
(Overdrive) position. The TCIL will illuminate on the instrument
cluster. Transmission operates in gears one through four. Drive (O/D
OFF) provides more engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful
whenever driving conditions (i.e., city traffic, hilly terrain, etc.) cause the
transmission to excessively shift between
(Overdrive) and other
gears. Deactivate
(Overdrive) when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to
Driving while you towin theTrailer Towingchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control
switch. The TCIL will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal
(Overdrive) mode.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide additional
engine braking on downgrades.
1 (First)
Use 1 (First) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep downgrades.
Upshifts can be made by shifting to 2
(Second) or to
(Overdrive).
Selecting 1 (Low) at higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to a
lower gear and will shift to 1 (First) after the vehicle decelerates to the
proper vehicle speed.
O/D
ON/OFF
O/ D
OFF
Driving
158

Forced Downshifts
To gain acceleration in(Overdrive) or Drive (O/D OFF) when
passing another vehicle, push the accelerator to the floor. The
transmission will downshift to the appropriate gear: fourth, third, second
or first gear.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
When Four±wheel drive (4WD) is engaged, power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. 4WD power can be selected when
additional driving power is desired.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and the
instrument panel control is moved to 4WD Low while the vehicle
is moving, the system will not engage and no damage will occur to
the 4WD system.
4WD operation is not recommended on dry pavement. Doing so
could result in difficult disengagement of the transfer case,
increased tire wear and decreased fuel economy.
CONTROL-TRAC AUTOMATIC FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
The 4WD system uses all four wheels to power the vehicle. This
increases traction, enabling you to drive your 4x4 over terrain and road
conditions not normally traveled by two-wheel drive vehicles.
Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case that allows
you to select a four-wheel drive mode best suited for your current
driving conditions.
Driving
159