2006 Mercury Mountaineer heating

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 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
242

Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
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 antifreeze/coolant that meets the material and design
specifications for your vehicle.Refer toLubricant specifications
in this chapter.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets or an
equivalent product meeting Ford specification, WSS-M99B37-B6, 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, 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.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
302

For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “FULL COLD” level. For all other vehicles, which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add 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.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed (until “clicks” are heard).
(Cap must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking engine coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
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.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
303

washing ....................................281
waxing .....................................281
wheels ......................................282
wiper blades ............................284
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............43
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................32
AM/FM/CD .................................22
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................27
Compass, electronic ....................83
calibration .................................85
set zone adjustment ...........84, 98
Console ..................................63–64
overhead ....................................61
rear ............................................64
Controls
power seat ...............................126
steering column ........................70
Coolant
checking and adding ..............300
refill capacities ................304, 321
specifications ..................323, 326
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................67
Customer Assistance ................245
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................278
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................278
Getting roadside assistance ...245
Getting the service you
need .........................................274
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................279
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................277D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................49
Defrost
rear window ..............................47
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................317
engine oil .................................293
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........323
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................318
Driving under special
conditions ..................234, 239, 242
sand .........................................240
snow and ice ...........................243
through water .................241, 244
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................43
DVD system .................................40
E
Electronic message center ...77, 88
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................266
Emergency Flashers .................247
Emission control system ..........314
Engine ........................................326
cleaning ...................................283
coolant .....................................300
fail-safe cooling .......................305
idle speed control ...................298
lubrication
specifications ..................323, 326
refill capacities ........................321
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
333

service points ..................290–291
starting after a collision .........247
Engine block heater .................219
Engine oil ..................................293
checking and adding ..............293
dipstick ....................................293
filter, specifications ........296, 319
recommendations ...................296
refill capacities ........................321
specifications ..................323, 326
Exhaust fumes ..........................219
F
Fail safe cooling ........................305
Floor mats .................................104
Fluid capacities .........................321
Foglamps .....................................48
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................237
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................226
Fuel ............................................306
calculating fuel
economy ......................79, 90, 311
cap ...........................................308
capacity ...................................321
choosing the right fuel ...........309
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................314
detergent in fuel .....................310
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................306, 308, 311
filter, specifications ........306, 319
fuel pump shut-off switch .....247
improving fuel economy ........311
octane rating ...................310, 326
quality ......................................310
running out of fuel .................310safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................306
Fuses ..................................248, 250
G
Garage door opener ....................62
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............308
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................311
Gauges .........................................18
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................209
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................209
H
Hazard flashers .........................247
Head restraints .........................124
Headlamps
aiming ........................................50
bulb specifications ....................53
daytime running lights .............49
flash to pass ..............................49
high beam .................................49
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................41, 43
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................73
Hood ..........................................289
I
Ignition ...............................217, 326
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
334