2006 Mercury Montego traction control

Basic operating principles
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
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.
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control
, it may be beneficial
to disengage the Traction Control
system while attempting to rock the
vehicle.
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.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
182

If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
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.
•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.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
183

If your vehicle is equipped with a 6–speed transmission:When
driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside temperatures,
use L (Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear operation will maximize
the engine and transmission cooling capability.Do not perform this
operation if your vehicle is equipped with an
electronically-controlled CVT.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
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.
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, AWD system components or axles 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 and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
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.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
184

“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

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
F17 30A Rear defroster
F18 10A PCM relay coil, Shifter Brake-Shift
Interlock (BSI), Passive
Anti-Theft System (PATS)
module, Fuel relay coil, Brake
lamps, Center High-Mounted Stop
Lamp (CHMSL)
F19 10A Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS)/Traction control module,
All Wheel Drive (AWD) module,
RSS, Heated seat modules
F20 7.5A Cluster, Climate control
F21 7.5A Restraint Control Module (RCM)
F22 7.5A Electrochromatic mirror, Compass
module
F23 7.5A Wiper relay coil, Blower relay coil,
Cluster logic
F24 7.5A Occupant Classification Sensor
(OCS), Passenger Air bag
Deactivation (PAD)
C1 30A Circuit
breakerDelayed accessory (Front
passenger window, Rear passenger
windows [via window switch],
Window switch illumination,
Backlighting
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
193

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
10 30A* Starter
11 30A* Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
relay
12 20A* ABS (Valves)
13 — Not used
14 — Not used
15 15A** Traction Control Module (TCM)
16 20A** Power point (Console)
17 10A** Alternator
18 40A* Logic feed to SJB, SJB solid state
devices
19 20A* Right-hand HID low beam
headlamp
20 40A* Rear defroster
21 30A* Power seat motors (passenger)
22 30A* Heated seat modules
23 15A** Fog lamps
24 10A** A/C clutch relay, A/C compressor
clutch
25 — Not used
26 — Not used
27 15A** Fuel relay (Fuel pump driver
module, Fuel pump)
28 80A* SJB power, SJB (Circuit breaker,
Fuses 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 15)
29 30A* Driver window motor
30 20A* Left-hand HID low beam
headlamp
31 — Not used
32 30A* Driver seat motors, Memory
module
33 30A* Ignition switch (to SJB)
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
195

panic alarm ...............................84
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................86
replacing the batteries .............85
Reverse sensing system ...........179
Roadside assistance ..................188
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........117
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ......105, 108–112
Safety Canopy ...........................129
Safety defects, reporting ..........217
Safety restraints ........105, 108–112
belt minder .............................113
extension assembly ................117
for adults .........................109–111
for children .....................132–133
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................106
safety belt maintenance .........117
warning light and chime ........112
Safety seats for children ..........136
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................261
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............105
Seats ............................................97
child safety seats ....................136
front seats ...................97, 99, 102
heated ........................................41
memory seat .....................84, 102
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................92
Servicing your vehicle ..............225
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................16
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................20Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...................199
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................254, 259
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 259
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your vehicle ........168–170
jump starting ..........................203
Steering wheel
controls ......................................64
tilting .........................................55
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................55
Tires ...........................144–145, 197
alignment ................................151
care ..........................................148
changing ..........................197, 199
checking the pressure ............148
inflating ...................................146
label .........................................157
replacing ..................................150
rotating ....................................151
safety practices .......................150
sidewall information ...............153
snow tires and chains ............158
spare tire .................................197
terminology .............................145
tire grades ...............................145
treadwear ........................144, 149
Towing .......................................164
recreational towing .................167
trailer towing ..........................164
wrecker ....................................209
Traction control ........................173
2006 Montego(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
269