2003 Mercury Mountaineer brake

Seating and Safety Restraints 97
Seating 97
Safety restraints 108
Air bags 120
Child restraints 128
Driving 142
Starting 142
Brakes 145
Transmission operation 148
Trailer towing 158
Roadside Emergencies 163
Getting roadside assistance 163
Hazard flasher switch 164
Fuel pump shut-off switch 165
Fuses and relays 166
Changing tires 176
Jump starting 183
Wrecker towing 189
Customer Assistance 190
The dispute settlement board 193
Utilizing the mediation/arbitration 196
Getting assistance outside the U.S. and Canada 196
Ordering additional owner’s literature 197
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 199
Cleaning 200
Table of Contents
2

SPECIAL NOTICES
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
Please read the sectionSupplemental Restraint System (SRS)
in theSeating and safety restraintschapter. Failure to follow
the specific warnings and instructions could result in personal injury.
Front seat mounted rear facing child or infant seats should
NEVERbe used in front of a passenger side air bag unless the
air bag can be and is turned OFF.
Data Recording
Computers in your vehicle are capable of recording detailed data
potentially including but not limited to information such as:
•the use of restraint systems including seat belts by the driver and
passengers,
•information about the performance of various systems and modules in
the vehicle, and
•information related to engine, throttle, steering, brake or other system
status.
Any of this information could potentially include information regarding
how the driver operates the vehicle potentially including but not limited
to information regarding vehicle speed, brake or accelerator application
or steering input. This information may be stored during regular
operation or in a crash or near crash event.
This stored information may be read out and used by:
•Ford Motor Company.
•service and repair facilities.
•law enforcement or government agencies.
•others who may assert a right or obtain your consent to know such
information.
Introduction
6

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Traction ControlAdvanceTrac

Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
Introduction
8

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Standard instrument cluster
Optional instrument cluster
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
O/D
OFF
DOOR
AJARCHECK
GAGE
CHECK
FUEL
CAPLOW
WASH
BRAKE
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
TRIP
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrument Cluster
Instrument Cluster
10

chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel cap may
not be properly installed. Continued
driving with this light on may cause
the Service engine soon light to
come on, refer toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running, or
in a position between ON and START, or by applying the parking brake
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the brake system
warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek service immediately
from your dealership. Illumination after releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
Instrument Cluster
11

Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Check gage (if equipped):
Illuminates when any of the
following conditions has occurred:
•The engine coolant temperature
is high.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The fuel gauge is at or near empty.
Hi temp low oil (if equipped):
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high or the engine oil
pressure is low. Refer to engine
coolant temperature gauge or engine
oil pressure gauge in this chapter).
ABS
CHECK
GAGE
Instrument Cluster
12

GAUGES
Standard instrument cluster gauges
Optional instrument cluster gauges
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
O/D
OFF
DOOR
AJARCHECK
GAGE
CHECK
FUEL
CAPLOW
WASH
BRAKE
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
TRIP
Instrument Cluster
14

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp delay system
The autolamp system sets the headlamps to turn on and off
automatically. The autolamp control, located on the headlamp control,
may be set to:
•turn on the lamps automatically at night
•turn off the lamps automatically during the daylight
•keep the lamps on for up to three minutes after the key is turned to
OFF.
To turn the autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise to
.
Foglamp control
The foglamps can be turned on only
when the headlamp control is in
the
,andposition and
the high beams are not turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
will illuminate
when foglamp is activated.
Push the headlamp control towards the instrument panel to deactivate
the foglamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
•the ignition must be in the ON position and
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position
•the parking brake must be disengaged.
A
A
Lights
Lights
37