2002 Mercury Mountaineer check engine light

For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the“cold full”level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the“cold fill range”or the“cold full”level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Maintenance and care
243

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
and thesymbol
will illuminate.
•The“Service Engine Soon”
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Maintenance and care
245

•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
Flex fuel (E-85) cruising range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, you will
experience an increase in fuel consumption. You can expect your Miles
Maintenance and care
265

Per Gallon (MPG) and your driving range to decrease by about 30%
compared to gasoline operation.
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:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the“Check Engine”light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Maintenance and care
266

Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your“Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon”light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and care
267

A
ABS(see Brakes) .....................174
Accessory delay ..........................94
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................149–150, 154
and child safety seats ............152
description ......................150, 154
disposal ....................................157
driver air bag ..................152, 155
indicator light ...........10, 154, 157
operation .........................152, 155
passenger air bag ...........152, 155
Air cleaner filter .......................282
Air conditioning ..........................36
automatic temperature
control system ..........................40
auxiliary heater and air
conditioner ................................49
rear seat controls .....................51
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................186
Ambulance packages ....................3
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................240
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................174–175
Anti-theft system ......................113
arming the system ..................114
disarming a triggered
system .....................................115
Audio system (see Radio) ...54, 63
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................183
fluid, adding ............................247
fluid, checking ........................247
fluid, refill capacities ..............282fluid, specification ..................287
Auxiliary power point .................98
Axle
lubricant specifications ..285, 287
refill capacities ........................282
B
Battery .......................................248
acid, treating emergencies .....248
charging system warning
light ............................................12
jumping a disabled battery ....222
maintenance-free ....................248
replacement, specifications ...282
servicing ..................................248
voltage gauge ............................16
BeltMinder .................................143
Brakes ........................................174
anti-lock ...........................174–175
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................11, 175
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....239
fluid, refill capacities ..............282
fluid, specifications .........285, 287
lubricant specifications ..285, 287
parking ....................................176
pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................33
shift interlock ..........................181
Break-in period .............................3
Bulbs ..........................................268
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....282
Cargo cover ...............................100
CD-single premium .....................54
Certification Label ....................289
Index
304

Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................222
Emission control system ..........266
Engine ........................................287
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................9
cleaning ...................................277
coolant .....................................240
fail-safe coolant ......................244
idle speed control ...................248
lubrication
specifications ..................285, 287
refill capacities ........................282
service points ..................232–233
starting after a collision .........205
Engine block heater .................172
Engine oil ..................................233
checking and adding ..............233
dipstick ....................................233
filter, specifications ........237, 282
recommendations ...................237
refill capacities ........................282
specifications ..................285, 287
Exhaust fumes ..........................173
F
Fail safe cooling ........................244
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....257
Floor mats ...................................99
Fluid capacities .........................282
Foglamps .....................................31
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................186
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................180
Fuel ............................................257calculating fuel
economy ............................22, 262
cap .....................................10, 261
capacity ...................................282
choosing the right fuel ...........259
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................266
detergent in fuel .....................261
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................257, 261, 263
filter, specifications ........262, 282
fuel pump shut-off switch .....205
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........262
octane rating ...................260, 287
quality ......................................260
running out of fuel .................261
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................257
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................257, 259–260
Fuses ..................................206–207
G
Garage door opener ..............86, 88
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......10, 261
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................262
Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........17
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................16
trip odometer ............................16
Index
306

interior lamps ...........................87
replacing bulbs .......268, 270–273
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................77
Liftgate ................................99, 103
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
AdvanceTrac .............................12
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 175
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................11
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar
....................................12
engine oil pressure
...................11
fuel cap light
.............................10
high beam
.................................12
low washer fluid
.......................12
overdrive off
..............................13
safety belt
.................................10
service engine soon
....................9
speed control
............................82
turn signal indicator
.................12
Limited-slip axle
.......................194
Load limits
.................................194
GAWR
......................................194
GVWR
......................................194
trailer towing
..........................194
Loading instructions
.................196
Locks
autolock
...................................111
childproof
..................................96
doors
..........................................95
Lubricant specifications
...285, 287
Lumbar support, seats
.............124M
Manual transmission
lubricant specifications ..........287
Message center .....................19–20
english/metric button ...............25
system check button ................25
warning messages .....................25
Mirrors .........................................93
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................92
fold away ...................................97
heated ........................................97
side view mirrors (power) .......96
Moon roof ....................................86
Motorcraft parts ................262, 282
O
Octane rating ............................260
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................233
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................103
Parking brake ............................176
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....282
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................33
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................211
Power door locks ........................95
Power mirrors .............................96
Power point .................................98
Power steering ..........................180
Index
308