2003 Mercury Mountaineer brakes

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
severe duty schedule in the scheduled maintenance guide.
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load specification terms found on the label, refer
toVehicle loadingin this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded vehicle when figuring the total weight.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Driving
158

Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
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
160

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 5–speed automatic transmissionsection in this
chapter.
•Under extreme conditions with large frontal trailers, high outside
temperatures and highway speeds, the coolant gauge may indicate
higher than normal coolant temperatures. If this occurs, reduce speed
until the coolant temperature returns to the normal range. Refer to
Engine coolant temperature gaugein theInstrument cluster
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.
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.
Driving
161

3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
5. The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the“MAX”line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
The automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, (i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly) or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, fluid
should be added by a qualified technician.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
MAX
Maintenance and Specifications
237

A
Accessory delay ..........................55
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................120, 124
and child safety seats ............122
description ......................120, 124
disposal ....................................128
driver air bag ..................122, 126
indicator light .................124, 127
operation .........................122, 126
passenger air bag ...........122, 126
Air cleaner filter .......................243
Air conditioning ..........................32
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................155
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................219
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................146
Anti-theft system ........................94
arming the system ....................94
disarming a triggered system ..95
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................17, 21, 25
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................150
fluid, adding ............................237
fluid, checking ........................237
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specification ..................248
Auxiliary power point .................53
Axle
lubricant specifications ..246, 248
refill capacities ........................244
B
Battery .......................................217acid, treating emergencies .....217
jumping a disabled battery ....183
maintenance-free ....................217
replacement, specifications ...243
servicing ..................................217
BeltMinder .................................116
Brakes ........................................145
anti-lock ...................................146
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................146
fluid, checking and adding ....237
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specifications .........246, 248
lubricant specifications ..246, 248
parking ....................................146
shift interlock ..........................148
C
Calculating load ........................157
Capacities for refilling fluids ....244
Cargo cover .................................80
Cassette tape player ...................17
CD-single premium ...............21, 25
Cell phone use ............................50
Certification Label ....................250
Changing a tire .........................176
Child safety restraints ..............129
child safety belts ....................129
Child safety seats ......................131
attaching with tether straps ..135
in front seat ............................133
in rear seat ..............................133
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............201
instrument panel ....................203
interior .....................................204
interior trim ............................204
Index
Index
256

I
Ignition .......................142, 248–249
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................131
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................235
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................203
cluster ........................................10
J
Jack ....................................176, 178
positioning .......................176, 180
storage .............................176–178
Jump-starting your vehicle ......183
K
Keyless entry system .................89
Keys
positions of the ignition .........142
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................41
daytime running light ...............37
fog lamps ...................................37
high beams ................................38
instrument panel, dimming .....38
interior lamps ...........................40
Liftgate ..................................79, 85
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........146
Limited-slip axle .......................155Load limits .................................156
GAWR ......................................156
GVWR ......................................156
trailer towing ..........................156
Loading instructions .................157
Locks
childproof ..................................84
doors ..........................................83
Lubricant specifications ...246, 248
Lumbar support, seats .............101
M
Manual transmission
lubricant specifications ..........248
Message center ...........................68
english/metric button ...............73
system check button ................72
warning messages .....................74
Mirrors .........................................53
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................52
fold away ...................................56
heated ........................................55
side view mirrors (power) .......55
Moon roof ....................................61
Motorcraft parts ................230, 243
O
Octane rating ............................228
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................212
P
Parking brake ............................146
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....243
Index
259