2006 Mercury Mountaineer snow chains

USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires or traction
devices may be necessary. Ford offers tire cables as a Ford approved
accessory and recommends use of these or SAE class “S” tire cables. See
your authorized dealer for more information on tire cables for your
vehicle.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
•Cables or chains should only be used on the rear wheels.
•Install cables or chains securely, verifying that the cables or chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang against
the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage.
•Avoid overloading your vehicle.
•Remove the cables or chains when they are no longer needed.
•Do not use cables or chains on dry roads.
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with tire cables or chains on your
vehicle.
Consult your authorized dealer for information on other Ford Motor
Company approved methods of traction control.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
202

Driving on snow and ice
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle
is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS), apply the
brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of
this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock
brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of AWD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
243

•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
For vehicles equipped with 4WD, it is not recommended that the vehicle
be operated in 4WD modes with a temporary emergency spare tire. If
4WD operation is necessary, do not operate above speeds of 10 mph (16
km/h) or for distances above 50 miles (80 km).
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel,do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
2006 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
258

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