2005 Mercury Mountaineer Speed control

If your vehicle gets stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
213

Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power
the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain
and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), the system indicator light may illuminate depending on
how much air is released from your tires and/or how long you drive the
vehicle under these conditions.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
214

Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
215

•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•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 inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
279

•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
Flex fuel (E-85) cruising range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, you will
experience an increase in fuel consumption. You can expect your Miles
Per Gallon (MPG) and your driving range to decrease by about 30%
compared to gasoline operation.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of MPG (L/100 km)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed inscheduled maintenance information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed inscheduled maintenance
informationare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
2005 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
280

wheels ......................................248
wiper blades ............................250
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............39
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .................23, 27, 32
AM/FM/CD .................................18
Compass, electronic ..............73–74
calibration .................................75
set zone adjustment ...........74, 77
Console ........................................57
overhead ..............................58–59
rear ............................................58
Controls
power seat ...............................107
steering column ........................66
Coolant
checking and adding ..............265
refill capacities ................269, 287
specifications ..................290, 292
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................64
Customer Assistance ................219
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................252
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................244
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............245
Getting roadside assistance ...219
Getting the service
you need .................................238
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................245
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................240
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............243D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................44
Defrost
rear window ..............................43
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................284
engine oil .................................258
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........290
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................286
Driving under special
conditions ..................209, 213, 216
sand .........................................214
snow and ice ...........................217
through water .................215, 218
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................39
DVD system .................................35
E
Electronic message center .........75
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................231
Emergency Flashers .................220
Emission control system ..........280
Engine ........................................292
cleaning ...................................248
coolant .....................................265
fail-safe cooling .......................270
idle speed control ...................263
lubrication
specifications ..................290, 292
refill capacities ........................287
Index
299

Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............63
Power adjustable foot pedals .....63
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................227
Power door locks ........................92
Power mirrors .............................62
Power point ...........................60–61
Power steering ..........................204
fluid, checking and adding ....282
fluid, refill capacity ................287
fluid, specifications .........290, 292
Power Windows ...........................61
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................204
R
Radio ..........................18, 21, 25, 30
Rear window defroster ...............43
Relays ................................221, 230
Remote entry system .................94
illuminated entry ......................98
opening the trunk .....................95
Reverse sensing system ...........209
Roadside assistance ..................219
Roof rack .....................................90
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........130
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........117, 119–123, 125
Safety Canopy ...................135–136
Safety defects, reporting ..........246
Safety restraints ........117, 119–125belt minder .............................126
extension assembly ................125
for adults .........................120–123
for children .....................138–139
safety belt maintenance .........130
warning light and
chime ...............................125–126
Safety seats for children ..........141
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................294
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............117
Seats ..........................................105
child safety seats ....................141
front seats ...............................106
heated ......................................110
memory seat .....................95, 109
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................18
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ....23, 27, 32
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs, specifications ......286,
292
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................290, 292
Speed control ..............................64
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......197
Starting your vehicle ........195, 197
jump starting ..........................231
Steering wheel
controls ......................................66
tilting .........................................56
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................56
Index
302