2002 Mercury Mountaineer trailer

Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Never connect any trailer lighting to the vehicle’s taillamp
circuits, because it may damage the electrical system resulting in
fire. Contact your local Ford dealership for assistance in proper trailer
tow wiring installation. Additional electrical equipment may be
required.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to the
Driving with a 4–speed automatic transmissionsection in this
chapter.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Driving
200

Trailer towing tips
•Practice 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.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•
The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles 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
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.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do 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 vehicle components:
•causing internal damage to the components.
•affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time 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.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
Driving
201

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
11—Not used (spare)
12 5A Foglamp switch, 4x4 module
13 5A Overdrive cancel switch, Flex fuel sender
14 5A PATS module
15 5A Rear wiper module, Cluster, TPMS
16 5A Power mirror, Manual climate control,
TPMS
17 15A Delayed acc. coil, Battery saver, Interior
lamps (front and rear), Glove
compartment lamp
18 10A Left horn
19 10A RCM, PAD indicator
20 5A PATS, Driver seat switch, Memory switch,
Driver seat module, BSM, Sunload sensor
21 5A Instrument cluster, Compass, Flasher coil
22 10A ABS, IVD Controller
23 15A Brake pedal position switch, Driver brake
applied relay, Redundant cruise deactivate
switch
24 15A Cigar lighter, OBD II
25 5A Mode-Temperature actuator for auxiliary
climate control, Trailer tow battery charge
coil
26 7.5A Park aid, Brake shift interlock, Approach
lamp relay coil, IVD switch
27 7.5A Electrochromatic mirror, Digital
transmission range sensor - backup lamps
28 5A Radio (Start)/DVD (Start)
29 10A Digital transmission range sensor, PWR
feed to fuse #28 (Start feed)
30 5A Daytime Running Lamps (DRL), Remote
solenoid, DEATC climate controller
Roadside emergencies
209

The high-current fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
1 60A** PJB
2 30A** BSM
3 20A** GCC pusher fan (export only)
4 30A** Rear defrost
5 40A** Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) pump
6 60A** Delayed accessory circuit breaker
7 20A** Power point #2
8—Not used
9 20A** Power point #1
10 30A** ABS module (valves)
11 40A** PTEC
12 50A** Ignition relay/Starter relay
13 40A** Trailer tow battery, Trailer tow turn signals
14 10A* Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
(Canada)/Foglamps (export only)
15 15A* Memory (KAPWR)
16 15A* Headlamp switch
17 20A* 4x4 (v-batt 2)
18 20A* 4x4 (v-batt 1)
Roadside emergencies
212

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
19 20A** High beam relay
20 30A** Electric brake
21 30A** Front wiper motor
22 20A** Autolamp; Low beam
23 30A** Ignition switch
24 20A* Rear fog lamps (Export only)
25–Not used
26 15A* Fuel pump
27 20A* Trailer tow lamps
28 20A* Horn relay
29 60A** PJB
30 20A** Rear wiper motor
31—Not used
32—Not used
33 30A** Auxiliary blower motor
34 30A** Power seats, Adjustable pedals
35 20A** Rear power point
36 40A** Blower motor
37 15A* A/C clutch relay/Transmission
38 15A* Coil on plug
39 15A* Injectors/Fuel pump relay
40 15A* PTEC power
41 15A* HEGO, VMV, CMS, PTEC
42 10A* Right low beam
43 10A* Left low beam
44 15A* Front foglamps
45 5A* Brake pressure switch
46 20A* High beams
47—Horn relay
48—Fuel pump relay
49—High beam relay
Roadside emergencies
213

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
50—Fog lamp relay
51—Police IVD relay
52—A/C clutch relay
53—Trailer tow right turn
54—Trailer tow left turn
55—Blower motor relay
56—Starter relay
57—PTEC relay
58—Ignition relay
59—Driver brake applied or DRL relay (Canada
only)
60—PCM diode
61—A/C clutch diode
62 30A CB Delayed accessory
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Cartridge Fuses
Rear Relay Box
The relay box is located on the rear passenger side quarter trim panel.
To access this box you must remove the trim panel.
Roadside emergencies
214

The relays are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay Location Description
Relay 14 Not used
Relay 15 Trailer tow back- up lamps
Relay 16 Not used
Relay 17 Not used
Relay 18 Not used
Relay 19 Trailer tow park lamps
Relay 20 Trailer tow battery charge
Relay 21 Not used
Relay 22 Approach lamps
Relay 23 Not used
Diode 3 Not used
Diode 4 Not used
Auxiliary relay box
(Canadian vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
only)
The relay box is located on the front
right fender well underneath the
speed control module.
Roadside emergencies
215

•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