2007 Mercury Mountaineer four wheel drive

VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD Systems
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when you select the 4WD mode)
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.
Power is supplied to all four wheels
through a transfer case or power
transfer unit. 4WD vehicles allow
you to select different drive modes
as necessary. Information on shifting
procedures and maintenance can be
found in your ªOwner's Guide.º You
should become thoroughly familiar
with this information before you operate your vehicle.
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4WD
while the vehicle is moving can cause a momentary clunk and ratcheting
sound. These sounds are normal as the front drivetrain comes up to
speed and is not cause for concern.
Do not become overconfident in the ability of 4WD and AWD
vehicles. Although a 4WD or AWD vehicle may accelerate better
than two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction situations, it won't stop
any faster than two-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive at a safe speed.
Vehicle Characteristics
Vehicle Characteristics
4

Emergency maneuvers
²In an emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn must be made,
remember to avoid ªover-drivingº your vehicle, i.e., turn the steering
wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid the emergency.
Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could increase
the risk of loss of vehicle control or vehicle rollover. Instead, smooth
variations of the accelerator and/or brake pedal pressure should be
utilized if changes in vehicle speed are called for. Use all available road
surface to return the vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
²In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
²If the vehicle goes from one type of road surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel), there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds in steering, acceleration or braking. Again, avoid abrupt
inputs steering or braking inputs.
Snow and ice
Your 4WD or AWD vehicle will have advantages over two-wheel drive
vehicles in snow and on ice by providing increased driving traction.
However, if you suddenly change speed or direction, you may lose
traction and in turn, control as is the case with all vehicles. 4WD and
AWD vehicles can slide on slippery roads just like any other vehicle.
Should the rear end of the vehicle start to slide while cornering on
snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide
until you regain control. Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD
or AWD vehicle may accelerate better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in
snow and ice, it won't stop any faster, because as in two-wheel drive
vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do not become overconfident
in the ability of 4WD and AWD vehicles to compensate for aggressive
driving maneuvers in poor road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking the wheels.
²For vehicles without anti-lock brakes, use a ªsqueezeº 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.
Driving On Roadways
7

DRIVING OFF-ROAD
ªTread Lightlyº is an educational
program designed to increase
public awareness of land-use
regulations and responsibilities in
our nations wilderness areas.
Ford 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 ªtreading lightlyº.
Driving off-road requires good judgment to avoid personal injury and
vehicle damage from concealed objects such as rocks and stumps. Know
the terrain or examine maps of the area before driving off road. Map out
your route before driving in the area. To maintain steering and braking
control of your vehicle, you must have all four wheels on the ground and
they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning. To avoid loss of control,
maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, especially in rough terrain.
Sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion. To maintain better control and avoid injury to your hand
or wrist, grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not grip the
spokes.
Driving on sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressure. Instead, shift to a
lower gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator
slowly and avoid spinning the wheels.
Avoid reducing tire pressure. Operating your vehicle with below
the recommended tire pressure can increase the risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
choose to reduce the tire pressure for off-road operation, make sure
you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
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.
Driving Off-Road
Driving Off-Road
9

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
turn around because you might
induce a rollover. It is better to back
down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the
wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power can 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. Disengage
overdrive or manually shift to a
lower gear. When descending a
steep hill, avoid sudden hard
braking as you could lose control. In
a vehicle without four wheel
anti-lock brakes, if you lock up the
front brakes, the front wheels can't
roll and if they aren't rolling, you won't be able to steer. The front wheels
have to be rolling in order to steer the vehicle. Rapid pumping of the
brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle and still maintain steering
control. If your vehicle has four wheel anti-lock brakes, apply and hold
the brakes firmly. Do not ªpumpº the brakes.
Driving Off-Road
11