2006 Mercury Mountaineer belt

The lower anchors for child seat
installation are located at the rear
section of the second row seat
between the cushion and seat back.
The LATCH anchors are below the
locator symbols on the seat back.
’The anchors on the 2nd row outboard seats are provided only to install
child seats at the outboard seats. DO NOT install a child seat at the
center 2nd row seat using LATCH attachments (rigid or mounted on belt
webbing) mounted to the inboard lower anchors at the outboard seats. If
you install a child seat at the center 2nd row position, use the vehicle
belt and the top tether anchor.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to properly install a
child seat with LATCH attachments. The plastic LATCH guides can be
obtained from an authorized dealer. They snap onto the LATCH lower
anchors in the seat to help attach a child seat with rigid attachments.
The guides hold the seat trim away to expose the anchor and make it
easier to attach some child seats.
Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the
anchors shown.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
178

NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not 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.
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt. All occupants must
wear seat belts and children/infants must use appropriate restraints to
minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study yourOwner’s Guideand any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD Systems (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when selected) has the ability to
use all four wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may
enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
180

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. OFF/LOCK, shuts off the engine
and all accessories/locks the steering
wheel, gearshift lever and allows key
removal.
2. ACC, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running. This position also unlocks
the steering wheel.
3. ON, all electrical circuits
operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
If the vehicle is operated in a heavy snow storm or blowing snow
conditions, the engine air induction may become partially clogged with
snow and/or ice. If this occurs the engine may experience a significant
reduction in power output. At the earliest opportunity, clear all snow
and/or ice away for the air induction inlet.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
217

•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort. If the
steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
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.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
226

4. Make the final connection of the negative (-) cable to the ground stud
located toward the front of the vehicle (forward of the battery) on the
raidator support. Keep the negative (-) cable away from the battery and
the carburetor/fuel injection system.Do notuse fuel lines, engine rocker
covers or the intake manifold asgroundingpoints. Ensure that the
battery shield is properly installed before jump starting the vehicle.
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may cause an
explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of
both engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an
additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
++-
-
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
269

WRECKER TOWING
Note:Turn off the power running boards (if equipped) prior to
preparing the vehicle for towing. Refer toPower deployable running
boardsin theDriver Controlschapter.
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, refer toAutomatic transmission
operationin theDrivingchapter for directions on how to move the
gearshift lever out of the P (Park) position, for proper towing.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
272

INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the seat-mounted side airbag (if equipped). Such products could
contaminate the side airbag system and affect performance of the side
airbag in a collision.
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the
leather.
•To clean, use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl
Cleaner (ZC-11–A). Dry the area with a soft cloth.
•To help maintain its resiliency and color, use the Motorcraft Deluxe
Leather Care Kit (ZC-11–D), available from your authorized dealer.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing of
the clear, protective coating.
Note:In some instances, color or dye transfer can occur when wet
clothing comes in contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs, the
leather should be cleaned immediately to avoid permanent staining.
UNDERBODY
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Cleaning
286

A
Accessory delay ..........................65
AdvanceTrac ..............................221
Air cleaner filter .......................319
Air conditioning ..........................43
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................151–152, 160, 162
and child safety seats ............153
description ..............152, 160, 162
disposal ....................................165
driver airbag ............154, 161, 163
indicator light .................160, 165
operation .................154, 161, 163
passenger airbag .....154, 161, 163
side airbag ...............................160
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................235
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................300
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................220
Anti-theft system ......................121
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................21, 26, 31
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................228, 231
fluid, adding ............................317
fluid, checking ........................317
fluid, refill capacities ..............321
fluid, specification ..................326
Auxiliary power point .................62
Axle
lubricant specifications ..323, 326
refill capacities ........................321
B
Battery .......................................298acid, treating emergencies .....298
jumping a disabled battery ....266
maintenance-free ....................298
replacement, specifications ...319
servicing ..................................298
BeltMinder .................................146
Brakes ........................................219
anti-lock ...................................220
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................220
fluid, checking and adding ....317
fluid, refill capacities ..............321
fluid, specifications .........323, 326
lubricant specifications ..323, 326
parking ....................................220
shift interlock ..........................227
C
Calculating load ........................209
Capacities for refilling fluids ....321
Cargo cover ...............................105
Cargo management system ......105
Cassette tape player .............21, 26
Cell phone use ..............................9
Changing a tire .........................256
Child safety restraints ..............166
child safety belts ....................166
Child safety seats ......................170
attaching with tether straps ..174
in front seat ............................171
in rear seat ..............................171
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............283
instrument panel ....................285
interior .....................................286
interior trim ............................285
plastic parts ............................284
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
332