If the vehicle is stuck in snow or mud or when driving in deep sand,
switching off the AdvanceTrac with RSC system may be beneficial so the
wheels are allowed to spin. If your vehicle seems to lose engine power
while driving in deep sand or very deep snow, switching off the
AdvanceTrac with RSC stability enhancement feature will restore full
engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
Remember to switch the AdvanceTracwith RSC system back on once
the vehicle is no longer stuck.
During Traction Control events the “sliding car” icon
in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with RSC system may enhance
your vehicle’s stability during adverse maneuvers.
The AdvanceTracwith RSC system helps the driver maintain steering
control. AdvanceTracwith RSC will attempt to correct the vehicle
motion by applying brake force at individual tires and, if necessary, by
reducing engine power.
During Electronic Stability Control events the “sliding car” icon
in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily.
Driving maneuvers which may activate AdvanceTracwith RSC system
include:
•Taking a turn too fast.
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle.
•Driving over a patch of ice.
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road.
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa.
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa.
•Driving on slick surfaces.
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.)
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC)
The RSC system works in conjunction with the AdvanceTracsystem to
help maintain roll stability of the vehicle during aggressive maneuvers by
applying brake force to one or more wheels.
During Roll Stability Control™ (RSC) events the “sliding car” icon
in
the instrument cluster will flash momentarily.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
256
Driving conditions that may activate AdvanceTracwith RSC include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
AdvanceTracwith RSC button and functionality
The AdvanceTracwith 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 AdvanceTracwith 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 AdvanceTracwith RSC button,
located on the center stack of the
instrument panel, allows the driver
to control certain features of the
AdvanceTracwith RSC system
below 25 mph (40 km/h). If the
vehicle is below 25 mph (40 km/h), momentarily pressing the
AdvanceTracwith RSC button will disable RSC, ESC and Engine
Traction Control and steadily illuminate the “sliding car” icon
.
Pressing and holding the AdvanceTracwith 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
AdvanceTracwith RSC button will steadily illuminate the “sliding car”
icon
, however, the AdvanceTracwith 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.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
257
All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTracwith RSC
operation. Refer to the following table.
AdvanceTracwith 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 AdvanceTracwith 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 AdvanceTracwith 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 AdvanceTracwith 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 AdvanceTracwith RSC system, and the
AdvanceTracwith 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)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
258
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an All Wheel Drive (AWD) transfer
case. With the AWD option, there is no need to shift between two-wheel
drive and four-wheel drive.
For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the AWD transfer
case refer toMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, a spare tire of a different
size than the road tires should never be used. Such a tire could
make the vehicle difficult to control as well as result in damage to
driveline components.
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenotdesigned 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 or abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
Normal operation (4.0L engine vehicles only)
The AWD system is always active and requires no driver input. It is
capable of handling all road conditions, including street and highway
driving as well as off-road conditions such as deep snow, ice or shallow
sand.
Normal operation (4.6L engine vehicles only)
During normal operation the AWD system is in AWD AUTO mode (AWD
LOCKED will illuminate in the message center for four seconds when
you first start your vehicle). The 4X4 indicator in the instrument cluster
will also come on.
For instructions on selecting the AWD LOCKED mode, refer toMessage
centerin theDriver Controlschapter. This mode is not intended for use
on dry pavement. This mode is appropriate for severe winter or off-road
conditions such as deep snow, ice or shallow sand. The use of AWD
LOCKED on dry or hard surfaces may produce some noise, such as
occasional clunks, but will not damage the drive system.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
270
Autolock operation (4.6L engine vehicles only)
If the AWD system begins to overheat, the system will place itself in the
Autolock mode:
•the 4X4 indicator light will illuminate in the instrument cluster and
AWD DISABLED
•AWD LOCKED will be displayed in the message center for four
seconds and a warning chime will sound. This condition may clear
without any action being taken by the driver.
•the 4X4 indicator light in the instrument cluster will turn off when the
AWD system cools down.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
AWD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. 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.
Basic operating principles
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
271
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
22 15A Brake switch, Bi-color stop lamps,
CHMSL, All turn lamps
23 15A Interior lamps, Puddle lamps,
Battery saver, Instrument
illumination, Homelink
24 10A Cluster, Theft LED
25 15A Trailer tow park lamps
26 15A License plate/rear park lamp,
Front park lamps, Manual climate
27 15A Tri-color stop lamps
28 10A Manual/DEATC
CB1 25A Windows
The following relays are located on either side of the passenger
compartment fuse panel. See your authorized dealer for service of these
relays.
Fuse/Relay Location Description
Relay 1 Delayed ACC
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
285
•The wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or
Motorcraft Premium Windshield Washer Concentrate (ZC-32-A),
available from your authorized dealer. This washer fluid contains
special solution in addition to alcohol which helps to remove the hot
wax deposited on the wiper blade and windshield from automated car
wash facilities. Be sure to replace wiper blades when they appear
worn or do not function properly.
•Do not use abrasives, as they may cause scratches.
•Do not use fuel, kerosene, or paint thinner to clean any parts.
If you cannot remove those streaks after cleaning with the glass cleaner
or if the wipers chatter and move in a jerky motion, clean the outer
surface of the windshield and the wiper blades using a sponge or soft
cloth with a neutral detergent or mild-abrasive cleaning solution. After
cleaning, rinse the windshield and wiper blades with clean water. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse the windshield
with water.
Do not use sharp objects, such as a razor blade, to clean the
inside of the rear window or to remove decals, as it may cause
damage to the rear window defroster’s heated grid lines.
INSTRUMENT PANEL/INTERIOR TRIM AND CLUSTER LENS
Clean the instrument panel, interior trim areas and cluster lens with a
clean and damp white cotton cloth, then with a clean and dry white
cotton cloth; you may also use Motorcraft Dash & Vinyl Cleaner
(ZC-38-A) on the instrument panel and interior trim areas.
•Avoid cleaners or polishes that increase the gloss of the upper portion
of the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the interior painted
surfaces.
•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish of the instrument panel, interior trim and cluster lens.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the airbag system.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Cleaning
319
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (4.6L V8 engine only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
Fail-safe cooling and engine oil overheat mode (4.6L V8 only)
If the engine coolant and/or engine oil overheat, the vehicle’s fail-safe
modes will reduce engine power to limit engine damage, even with a
total loss of coolant. The vehicle’s range and/or speed will be reduced,
depending on vehicle load, terrain, and outside temperatures.
The instrument cluster provides warnings for each mode.
•Fail-Safe Cooling Mode:The
(Service engine
soon),
(Engine oil pressure), and(Engine coolant
temperature) indicators will be on.
Along with these warning indicators, the engine coolant temperature
gauge will read in the Hot (H) area.
If the engine coolant reaches even hotter temperatures, fail-safe
cooling mode limits engine power more and disables air conditioning.
The engine will switch to alternating cylinder operation to help cool
the engine. The engine will run rough in this mode.
If continued operation increases the engine coolant temperature to a
critical range, the engine will shut down. Steering and braking effort
will increase. Once engine coolant temperature cools, the engine can
be restarted.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
341