2008 Mercury Mountaineer check engine light

•Be sure that areas where the vehicle is parked are clean and clear of
all combustibles such as petroleum products, dust, rags, paper and
similar items.
•Be sure that the engine block heater, heater cord and extension cord
are solidly connected. A poor connection can cause the cord to
become very hot and may result in an electrical shock or fire. Be sure
to check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup once the system
has been operating for approximately a half hour.
•Finally, have the engine block heater system checked during your fall
tune-up to be sure it’s in good working order.
How to use the engine block heater
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean
them, use a dry cloth.
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block
heater system may consume anywhere between 400 watts or 1000 watts
of energy per hour. Your factory installed block heater system does not
have a thermostat; however, maximum temperature is attained after
approximately 3 hours of operation. Block heater operation longer than 3
hours will not improve system performance and will unnecessarily use
additional electricity.
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
P!
BRAKE
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USA(fus)
Driving
252

ADVANCETRACWITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL™ (RSC)
STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC system provides stability enhancement
features such as Roll Stability Control™ (RSC), Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TCS) for certain driving situations.
The system includes an AdvanceTrac
with RSC on/off button, and a
“sliding car” icon
in the instrument cluster.
Some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake pedal when the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC performs a system self-check. During
AdvanceTrac
with RSC operation you may experience the following:
•A rumble, grunting, or grinding noise after startup and when driving
off
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The AdvanceTrac
with RSC indicator light will flash when the system
is activated.
•If your foot is on the brake pedal, you will feel a vibration in the
pedal.
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal will move to apply higher brake forces. You may also hear
a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during this severe
condition.
Traction Control
Traction Control helps your vehicle maintain traction, when driving on
slippery and/or hilly road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel
spin. Excessive wheel spin is controlled by momentarily reducing engine
power and/or applying the anti-lock brakes. Traction Control is a driver
aid that helps your vehicle.
If your vehicle should become stuck in deep snow or mud, try switching
the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system off by pressing the AdvanceTrac

with RSC button momentarily. This will allow your tires to “dig” for
traction. Remember to switch the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system back
on once the vehicle is no longer stuck.
If the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system is activated excessively in a short
period of time, the brake portion of the system will disable to allow the
brakes to cool down. In this situation, Traction Control will use only
engine power reduction to help control the wheels from over-spinning.
When the brakes have cooled down, the system will again function
normally. Anti-lock braking, RSC and ESC are not affected by this
condition and will function normally during the cool-down period.
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Driving
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Driving conditions that may activate AdvanceTrac
with RSC include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
AdvanceTrac
with RSC button and functionality
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC system automatically turns on each time
the engine is started, even if it was turned off when the engine was last
shut down. The “sliding car” icon
which is located with the warning
lights in the instrument cluster will illuminate during bulb check at initial
start-up and then go off. This tells you that the system is normal and
active. All functions of the AdvanceTrac
with RSC (RSC, ESC, Engine
Traction Control, and Brake Traction Control) will be activated at start
up. When the system is left active, the “sliding car” icon
will flash
only when any of the components of the system are affecting the
vehicle’s performance, otherwise the light will remain off. Consequently,
the “sliding car” icon
will not be illuminated during most of your
normal driving.
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC button,
located on the center stack of the
instrument panel, allows the driver
to control certain features of the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC system
below 25 mph (40 km/h). If the
vehicle is below 25 mph (40 km/h), momentarily pressing the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC button will disable RSC, ESC and Engine
Traction Control and steadily illuminate the “sliding car” icon
.
Pressing and holding the AdvanceTrac
with RSC button for more than
five seconds will further disable the brake portion of the Traction Control
feature and the “sliding car” icon
will flash momentarily and then
illuminate steady.
If the vehicle is above 25 mph (40 km/h), momentarily pressing the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC button will steadily illuminate the “sliding car”
icon
, however, the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system will remain
enabled until the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph. If the vehicle speed
decreases below 25 mph (40 km/h), the system will become deactivated,
but if the vehicle speed subsequently increases to above 25 mph (40
km/h), the system will again become active. In general, the system will
be active at all times the vehicle speed is above 25 mph (40 km/h).
In R (Reverse), ABS and the Traction Control feature will continue to
function, however ESC and RSC are disabled.
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Driving
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All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTrac
with RSC
operation. Refer to the following table.
AdvanceTrac
with RSC Features
Button
functions“Sliding
car”
icon
RSC ESCEngine
Traction
ControlBrake
Traction
Control
Default at
start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled Enabled Enabled
Button
pressed
momentarilyIlluminated
solidDisabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Enabled
Button
pressed and
held more
than five
secondsFlashes
then
illuminated
solidDisabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
Do not alter or modify your vehicle’s suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle’s handling can adversely affect
the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or death. The occurrence of a AdvanceTrac
with RSC event is
an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded their ability
to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Operating your
vehicle with AdvanceTrac
with RSC system disabled may severely
reduce your ability to control your vehicle. If you experience a severe
road event or any loss of vehicle control, SLOW DOWN.
If a failure is detected in the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system, and the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC button has not been pushed, the warning
indicator light in the instrument cluster will stay on. If the warning
indicator light in the instrument cluster remains on while the engine is
running, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
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Driving
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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.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
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, 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. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). 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.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Use the following guidelines to avoid electrostatic charge build-up when
filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/4 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn to unscrew
the cap.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. Reinstall the cap on the filler pipe and turn it clockwise until at least
one click is heard.
If the check fuel cap light
or a “check fuel cap” message come on, the
fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. The light or message can
come on after several driving events after you’ve refueled your vehicle.
At the next opportunity, safely pull off of the road, remove the fuel filler
cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it. The check fuel cap
light
or “check fuel cap” message may not reset immediately; it may
take several driving cycles for the check fuel cap light
or “check fuel
cap” message to turn off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up
(after four or more hours with the engine off) followed by city and
highway driving.
Continuing to drive with the check fuel cap light
or “check fuel cap”
message on may cause the
light to turn on as well.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
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•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example; bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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A
Accessory delay ........................102
AdvanceTrac ..............................255
Air cleaner filter ...............356–358
Air conditioning ..........................79
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................181–182, 190, 192
and child safety seats ............183
description ..............182, 190, 192
disposal ....................................195
driver airbag ............184, 191, 193
indicator light .................190, 195
operation .................184, 191, 193
passenger airbag .....184, 191, 193
side airbag ...............................190
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................270
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................336
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................253
Anti-theft system ......................148
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................20, 24, 32
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................262, 265
fluid, adding ............................354
fluid, checking ........................354
fluid, refill capacities ..............359
fluid, specification ..................359
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....40
Auxiliary power point ...............100
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........359refill capacities ........................359
B
Battery .......................................334
acid, treating emergencies .....334
jumping a disabled battery ....300
maintenance-free ....................334
replacement, specifications ...358
servicing ..................................334
Belt-Minder
.............................176
Booster seats .............................197
Brakes ........................................252
anti-lock ...................................253
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................253
fluid, checking and adding ....354
fluid, refill capacities ..............359
fluid, specifications .................359
lubricant specifications ..........359
parking ....................................254
shift interlock ..........................260
C
Calculating load ........................239
Capacities for refilling fluids ....359
Cargo cover ...............................132
Cargo management system ......132
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................290
Child safety restraints ..............196
child safety belts ....................196
Child safety seats ......................201
attaching with tether straps ..205
in front seat ............................202
in rear seat ..............................202
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
368