2007 Mercury Mountaineer AWD system

Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company 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 “treading lightly.”
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
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
260

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).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
262

A
Accessory delay ..........................94
AdvanceTrac ..............................241
Air cleaner filter ...............340–341
Air conditioning ..........................72
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................170, 179, 181
and child safety seats ............172
description ..............170, 179, 181
disposal ....................................184
driver airbag ............173, 180, 182
indicator light .................179, 184
operation .................173, 180, 182
passenger airbag .....173, 180, 182
side airbag ...............................179
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................255
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................320
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................239
Anti-theft system ......................139
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................20, 24, 30
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................248, 251
fluid, adding ............................338
fluid, checking ........................338
fluid, refill capacities ..............342
fluid, specification ..................342
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................37
Auxiliary power point .................92
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........342refill capacities ........................342
B
Battery .......................................318
acid, treating emergencies .....318
jumping a disabled battery ....284
maintenance-free ....................318
replacement, specifications ...341
servicing ..................................318
Belt-Minder
.............................165
Brakes ........................................239
anti-lock ...................................239
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................239
fluid, checking and adding ....338
fluid, refill capacities ..............342
fluid, specifications .................342
lubricant specifications ..........342
parking ....................................240
shift interlock ..........................246
C
Calculating load ........................227
Capacities for refilling fluids ....342
Cargo cover ...............................123
Cargo management system ......123
Cell phone use ..............................9
Changing a tire .........................275
Child safety restraints ..............185
child safety belts ....................185
Child safety seats ......................190
attaching with
tether straps ...........................194
in front seat ............................191
in rear seat ..............................191
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............302
instrument panel ....................304
2007 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
351