2005 Mercury Montego traction control

Seating and Safety Restraints 87
Seating 87
Safety restraints 94
Air bags 107
Child restraints 119
Tires, Wheels and Loading 130
Tire Information 131
Tire Inflation 132
Changing tires 135
Lug Nut Torque 142
Vehicle loading 152
Trailer towing 158
Recreational towing 161
Driving 162
Starting 162
Brakes 166
Traction control 167
Transmission operation 169
Roadside Emergencies 182
Getting roadside assistance 182
Hazard flasher switch 183
Fuel pump shut-off switch 183
Fuses and relays 184
Jump starting 191
Wrecker towing 196
Customer Assistance 198
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 206
Cleaning 207
Table of Contents
2
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)

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.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Engine coolant level:Illuminates
when the engine coolant is low. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible,
switch off the engine and let cool.
Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Traction Control
active:
Illuminates when the Traction
Control
is active. If the light
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately, refer to the
Drivingchapter for more
information.
Low fuel (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is at or near empty
(refer toFuel gaugein this
chapter).
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is engaged. Turns
off when the speed control system
is disengaged.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for two to four seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
1. OIL LIFE
2. DOORS CLOSED
3. LIFTGATE/TRUNK CLOSED
4. ENGINE TEMP
5. CHARGING SYSTEM
6. BRAKE SYSTEM
7. PARK BRAKE STATUS
8. OIL PRESSURE
9. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
10. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
11. COOLANT LEVEL
12. TRANSMISSION STATUS
13. TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped)
14. AWD SYSTEM (if equipped)
15. FUEL LEVEL
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for several
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
62

Warnings Status
Low brake fluid Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to RUN
Liftgate ajar (if equipped)
Trunk ajar (if equipped)
Check Traction Control (if
equipped)
Washer Fluid level low
Coolant level low
Check engine
Change oil soon
Oil change required
Data error
DRIVER’S DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the left rear door is not
completely closed.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the right rear door is not
completely closed.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the park brake is engaged.
If the warning stays on after the park brake is off, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER.Displayed when the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as safely possible.
ETC-ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE.Displayed when the engine has
defaulted to a “limp-home” operation. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
64

AWD MALFUNCTION (if equipped).Displayed when the AWD
system is not operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, contact your dealer immediately.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
OIL PRESSURE LOW.Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
LIFTGATE AJAR (if equipped).Displayed when the liftgate is not
completely closed.
TRUNK AJAR (if equipped).Displayed when the trunk is not
completely closed.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped).Displayed when the
Traction Control
system is not operating properly. If this warning stays
on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction control
in theDrivingchapter.
LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
65

To reset the oil monitoring system to your personalized oil life %:
1. From step 3 above.
2. Release the RESET control
momentarily, then press RESET and
SETUP controls at the same time to
activate a service mode which will
display OIL LIFE XX% RESET TO
ALTER.
3. Press RESET until you find your personalized OIL LIFE XX%.
4. With your personalized OIL LIFE XX% displayed, press SETUP to
continue the system check.
DATA ERR.These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
•Fuel computer
•Charging system
•Coolant system
•Traction control (if equipped)
•Door sensor
•Brake fluid
•Compass (if equipped)
•Outside temperature (if equipped)
•Engine sensor
•Transmission control module (TCM)
•Fuel cap sensor
•Seat belt sensor
•Park brake
•Oil pressure sensor
Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a
regular basis.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
67

CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
variety of console features. These
include:
•Utility compartment with power
point
•Gear Shift
•Cup holders
•Rear vent (if equipped)
Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects can injure you
in a collision.
CELL PHONE USE
The use of Mobile Communications Equipment has become increasingly
important in the conduct of business and personal affairs. However,
drivers must not compromise their own or others’ safety when using
such equipment. Mobile Communications can enhance personal safety
and security when appropriately used, particularly in emergency
situations. Safety must be paramount when using mobile communications
equipment to avoid negating these benefits.
Mobile Communication Equipment includes, but is not limited to cellular
phones, pagers, portable email devices, in-vehicle communications
systems, telematics devices and portable two-way radios.
A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.
The most important thing you can do to prevent a crash is to
avoid distractions and pay attention to the road. Wait until it is safe to
operate Mobile Communications Equipment.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
68

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
2005 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
130