2006 Mercury Mountaineer TPMS

How temperature affects your tire pressure
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors tire pressure in
each pneumatic tire. The pressure in each tire is dependent upon several
factors, one of them being the contained air temperature (temperature of
the air inside the tire). As the contained air temperature increases, the
tire pressure also increases. While driving in a normal manner, a typical
passenger tire inflation pressure may increase approximately 2 to 4 psi
(14 to 28 kPa) from a cold start situation. This increase in tire pressure
is due to an increase in the contained air temperature. Contained air
temperature is dependent upon several factors such as rate of tire
rotation, tire deflection, amount of braking, etc. In a similar manner, the
tire pressure will decrease if the contained air temperature decreases.
For example, if the vehicle is stationary over night with the outside
temperature significantly lower than the daytime temperature, the tire
pressure may decrease approximately 3 psi (20.7 kPa) for a drop of 30°
F (16.6° C) in ambient temperature. This lower pressure value may be
detected by the TPMS as being significantly lower than the cold pressure
indicated on your vehicles Safety Compliance Certification Label, and
activate the TPMS warning for low tire pressure. If the low tire pressure
warning light is ON, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat.
If one or more tires are flat, repair as necessary. Check air pressure in
the road tires. If any tire is underinflated, carefully drive the vehicle to
the nearest location where air can be added to the tires. Turn the
ignition to the OFF position. Inflate all the tires to the recommended
inflation pressure.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is NOT a substitute for
manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure should be
checked periodically (at least monthly) using an accurate tire gauge,
seeInflating your tiresin this chapter. Failure to properly maintain
your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire failure, loss of control,
vehicle rollover and personal injury.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
201

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.
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.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
240

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
42 15A* Redundant brake switch, EVMV,
MAFS, HEGO, EVR, VCT1, VCT2,
CMCV, CMS
43 15A* Coil on plug (4.6L engine only),
Coil tower (4.0L engine only)
44 15A* Injectors
45A — Not used
45B — GCC fan relay
46A — Not used
46B — Not used
47 — Front wiper relay
48 — PCM relay
49 — Fuel pump relay
50A — Fog lamps relay
50B — AC clutch relay
51 — Not used
52 — A/C clutch (diode)
53 — Not used
54 — Trailer battery charger relay
55 — Starter relay
56 — Blower relay
* Mini Fuses ** Cartridge Fuses
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
256

Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensor, refer toChanging tires with TPMSin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as
soon as possible.
The use of tire sealants may damage your tires. The use of tire
sealants may also damage your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
and should not be used.
Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for important information. If
the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer
function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Note:Turn off the power running boards (if equipped) before driving
with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. Refer toPower deployable running
boardsin theDriver Controlschapter.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above,do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
257

When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. If you get a flat tire while driving,
do not apply the brake heavily;
instead, gradually decrease your
speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe
place on the side of the road.
2. Park on a level surface, activate
the hazard flashers and set the
parking brake.
3. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
and turn engine OFF.
When one of the rear wheels is off the ground, the transmission
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the transmission is in P (Park).
4. Turn off the power running boards (if equipped). Refer toPower
deployable running boardsin theDriver Controlschapter.
Note:Passengers should not remain
in the vehicle when the vehicle is
being jacked.
5. Block the wheel that is diagonally
opposite of the flat tire using the
wheel chock provided with your
vehicle.
Location of the spare tire and tools
Have a flat tire serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent
damage to the TPMS sensor, refer toChanging tires with TPMSin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road
tire as soon as possible.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
259

Speed control ..............................67
Starting your vehicle ........217–218
jump starting ..........................266
Steering wheel
controls ......................................70
tilting .........................................60
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................60
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........256
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....196
Warning Displays ........12, 85, 100
Tires ...........................182–183, 256
alignment ................................194
care ..........................................191
changing ..........................256, 262
checking the pressure ............186
inflating ...................................184
label .........................................191
replacing ..........................193, 262
rotating ....................................195
safety practices .......................194
sidewall information ...............186
snow tires and chains ............202
spare tire .................257, 259, 261
terminology .............................183
tire grades ...............................183
treadwear ........................182, 192
Towing .......................................209
recreational towing .................216
trailer towing ..........................209
wrecker ....................................272Transfer case
fluid checking .........................318
Transmission .............................227
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....227
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................317
fluid, refill capacities ..............321
lubricant specifications ..323, 326
Turn signal ..................................51
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................326
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................328
Vehicle loading ..........................202
Ventilating your vehicle ...........219
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................292
Water, Driving through .............244
Windows ....................................112
power .........................................64
rear wiper/washer .....................60
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................59
checking and adding fluid .....292
liftgate reservoir .....................292
replacing wiper blades ...........293
Wrecker towing .........................272
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
337