2006 Mercury Montego heating

“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.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
185

Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7-A (U.S., except CA, OR, and NM),
VC-7-B (CA, OR and NM),meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44–D
with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange
Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product with your
factory filled coolant can result in degraded corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
236

If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this section.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34° F [–36° C ]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
239

Checking automatic transmission fluid at cool temperature
(32°F-81°F [17°C-27°C])
If a fluid check is necessary at a low
fluid temperature (32°F-81°F
[17°C-27°C]), perform the check
using the cold range on the dipstick.
However, the fluid must be re-checked at the proper fluid temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level does not show at all on the
dipstick.
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transaxle failure. An
overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Note:Only one ATF fluid specification has been tested and approved for
use with 6-speed—Premium Automatic Transmission fluid. Mercon fluids
can not be used in a automatic 6-speed without damage or voiding
warranty.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transaxle component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250 mL) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
253

wheels ......................................219
wiper blades ............................221
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......39, 41
Clock ............................................56
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................20
AM/FM/CD .................................16
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................72
Console ........................................56
overhead ..............................55–56
Controls
power seat ...............................100
steering column ........................64
Coolant
checking and adding ..............234
refill capacities ................239, 255
specifications ..................257, 259
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Cupholder(s) .............................104
Customer Assistance ................188
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................215
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............216
Getting roadside assistance ...188
Getting the service you
need .........................................211
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................216
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............214
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................47Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..................................251–252
engine oil .................................229
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........257
Driving under special
conditions ..........................182, 185
sand .........................................183
snow and ice ...........................186
through water .................184, 187
E
Electronic message center .........70
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................203
Emission control system ..........248
Engine ........................................259
cleaning ...................................220
coolant .....................................234
idle speed control ...................232
lubrication
specifications ..................257, 259
refill capacities ........................255
service points ..........................227
starting after a collision .........190
Engine block heater .................171
Engine oil ..................................229
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................229
checking and adding ..............229
dipstick ....................................229
filter, specifications ........231, 254
recommendations ...................231
refill capacities ........................255
specifications ..................257, 259
Exhaust fumes ..........................171
F
Fluid capacities .........................255
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
266

Foglamps .....................................46
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................181
Fuel ............................................240
calculating fuel
economy ............................71, 245
cap ...........................................242
capacity ...................................255
choosing the right fuel ...........243
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................247
detergent in fuel .....................244
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................240, 242, 245
filter, specifications ........240, 254
fuel pump shut-off switch .....190
improving fuel economy ........245
octane rating ...................243, 259
quality ......................................244
running out of fuel .................244
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................240
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......190
Fuses ..........................................190
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............242
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................245
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................189
Head restraints ...................97, 103
Headlamps ...................................45
aiming ........................................47
autolamp system .......................45
bulb specifications ....................50daytime running lights .............47
flash to pass ..............................46
high beam .................................46
replacing bulbs .........................50
turning on and off ....................45
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................39, 41
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................66
Hood ..........................................226
I
Ignition ...............................168, 259
Illuminated visor mirror .............55
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................136
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................249
Instrument panel ........................56
cleaning ...................................221
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................47
J
Jack ............................................197
positioning ...............................197
storage .....................................197
Jump-starting your vehicle ......203
K
Keyless entry system .................89
autolock .....................................90
keypad .......................................89
locking and unlocking doors ....90
programming entry code .........89
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
267