2002 Mercury Mountaineer tow

•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
Waxing
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the parts over time.
Paint chips
Your dealer has touch-up paint and sprays to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jam) to
your dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
•Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout before repairing paint chips.
•Always read the instructions before using the products.
Maintenance and care
276

Ford Extended Service Plan
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED
At home
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada have authorized dealerships to
service your vehicle. It is preferred that you return to the authorized
dealer where your vehicle was purchased when warranty repairs are
needed. However, you may also take your vehicle to another Ford Motor
Company or Ford of Canada dealership authorized for warranty repairs.
Certain warranty repairs require special training though, so not all
dealers are authorized to perform all warranty repairs. That means that
depending on the warranty repair needed, the vehicle may need to be
taken to another dealer. If a particular dealership cannot assist you, then
contact the Customer Relationship Center.
Customer assistance
291

Running boards
Scuff plates
Seatback storage
Smoker’s package
Soft luggage cover
Tire step
Trailer hitch (Class III)
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch mounted bike carrier
Trailer hitch receiver cover
Trailer hitch wiring adaptor
Vehicle security systems
Wheel locks
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
All-weather floor mats
Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Door edge guards
Front end covers (full and sport)
Front hood deflectors
Full vehicle cover
Locking gas cap
Molded splash guards
Rear-air deflector
Side window air deflectors
Skid plates
Tow hooks
Universal floor mats
Customer assistance
300

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

replacing ..........................218, 254
rotating ....................................253
snow tires and chains ............256
spare tire .........................216–218
tire grades ...............................252
treadwear ................................252
Towing .......................................197
recreational towing .................201
trailer towing ..........................197
wrecker ....................................228
Traction control ........................177
active light ................................12
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................247
Transmission .............................181
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................247
fluid, refill capacities ..............282
lubricant specifications ..285, 287
Trip odometer .............................16
Trunk .........................................103
Turn signal ............................12, 77
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................287Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................289
Vehicle loading ..........................194
Ventilating your vehicle ...........173
W
Warning chimes ...........................13
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid
..............................240
Water, Driving through
.............196
Windows
power
.........................................93
rear wiper/washer
.....................84
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid
.....240
checking and cleaning
....250–251
liftgate reservoir
.....................240
operation
...................................83
replacing wiper blades
...........251
Wrecker towing
.........................228
Index
310