2004 Mercury Monterey towing

To lessen the risk of personal injury, do not put any part of your
body under the vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start the
engine when your vehicle is on the jack. The jack is only meant for
changing the tire.
10. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
11. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem
is facing outward. Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the
hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
12. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
13. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown.
14. If equipped with a bolted-on
wheel cover, install the center
ornament and tighten the five
plastic nuts until they click (do not
use power tools on these nuts).
Install the outer wheel cover.
15. If removed, install center
ornament or wheel cover.
16. Put flat tire, jack and lug wrench away in the proper stowage
locations.
Stowing the full-size tire
Note: Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal
injury. Do not install the flat tire underneath the vehicle.
Place tire inside the vehicle near the rear of the vehicle with the valve
stem facing down.
1. Remove tether kit from the jack storage area.
2. Pass cable retainer through the center of the wheel.
3. Raise the tire and secure the cable with the wing screw provided in
the tether cable kit, by installing it on the luggage back panel and
turning the wing screw clockwise. You will hear an audible click when
the tire is properly secured.
4. Check that the flat tire is properly secured.
1
4 3
2 5
2004 Monterey(mty)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
192

Stowing the spare tire
Note:Ifno tireis to be stowed under the vehicle, attach the secondary
(locking) wheel retainer to the primary retainer using cable tie provided.
Make sure to pass the tie through
one of the“loops”on the secondary
(locking) retainer,
then around the primary cable. This
allows the secondary (locking)
retainer to be raised. Do not allow
either retainer to contact ground
while driving.
1. Lay the spare, inflated tire on the ground with the valve stem facing in
the direction specified on the Tire Changing Instructions located with the
jack hardware.
2. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the secondary
(locking) retainer through an outer hole in the tire, and rotate
one-quarter turn to locked position. Install the primary retainer through
the center of the tire. Pull on the cable to align the components at the
end of the cable.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly and the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips when
the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
ability, to the point where the ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare
tire carrier will not allow you to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier
ratchets or slips with little effort, take the vehicle to your dealer for
assistance at your earliest convenience.
2004 Monterey(mty)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
193

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed by wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift, the front
wheels must be placed on a dolly to prevent damage to the transaxle.
If your vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels on the ground:
•Place the transaxle in N (Neutral).
•Do not exceed the distance of 80 km (50 miles).
•Do not exceed the speed of 56 km/h (35 mph).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
2004 Monterey(mty)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
200

In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
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. 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.
THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD (U.S. ONLY)
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
•an independent, third-party arbitration program for warranty disputes.
•available free to owners and lessees of qualifying Ford Motor Company
vehicles.
2004 Monterey(mty)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Customer Assistance
203

Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•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
this chapter.
•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).
2004 Monterey(mty)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
235

Lifestyle
Bike racks
Cargo organization and management
Engine block heaters and blankets
Rear seat entertainment systems - DVD
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
Airbag anti-theft locks
First aid and safety kits
Full vehicle covers
Locking gas cap
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems—such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use.
2004 Monterey(mty)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Accessories
264

R
Radio ......................................17, 20
Relays ........................................179
Remote entry system .................84
illuminated entry ..........39, 87–88
locking/unlocking doors .....82, 84
Roadside assistance ..................177
Roof rack .....................................80
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........128
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................116, 119–121
Safety Canopy ...........................137
Safety defects, reporting ..........209
Safety restraints ........116, 119–121
belt minder .............................123
extension assembly ................127
for adults .........................120–121
for children .....................140–141
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................117
safety belt maintenance .........128
warning light and chime 122–123
Safety seats for children ..........144
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............116
Seats ............................................97
child safety seats ....................144
front seats ...................97, 99–100
memory seat .....................90, 100
second row seats ....................103
third row
seats .................103, 109, 113–114
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................94Servicing your vehicle ..............216
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ............................187–188
Spark plugs, specifications ......254,
258
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................256, 258
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your vehicle ........154–156
jump starting ..........................194
Steering wheel
controls ......................................64
tilting .........................................48
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................48
Tires ...................................241–242
changing ..................187–189, 194
snow tires and chains ............253
tire grades ...............................242
treadwear ................................242
Towing .......................................172
recreational towing .................176
trailer towing ..........................172
wrecker ....................................200
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............162
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
lubricant specifications ..........258
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....162
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................239
lubricant specifications ..........256
Turn signal ..................................41
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................258
2004 Monterey(mty)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
269

Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................260
Vehicle loading ..........................169
Ventilating your vehicle ...........157
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................219
Water, Driving through .............169Windows
power
.........................................58
rear wiper/washer
.....................47
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................47
checking and adding fluid
.....219
liftgate reservoir
.....................219
replacing wiper blades
.............48
Wrecker towing
.........................200
2004 Monterey(mty)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
270