Page 210 of 376
If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten
the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without
lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the
vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly
attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor. Try to move the child
seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if
the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a crash greatly increases.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
210
Page 211 of 376

NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not designed
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.
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt. All occupants must
wear seat belts and children/infants must use appropriate restraints to
minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study yourOwner’s Guideand any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD Systems (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when selected) 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.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
211
Page 368 of 376

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
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Page 372 of 376

P
Parking brake ............................254
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....358
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................167
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................104
Power adjustable foot pedals ...104
Power deployable running
boards ........................................130
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................286
Power door locks ......................135
Power mirrors ...........................103
Power point ...............................100
Power steering ..........................259
fluid, checking and adding ....354
fluid, refill capacity ................359
fluid, specifications .................359
Power Windows .........................101
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................259
R
Radio ................................20, 24, 32
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................49
Rear window defroster ...............83
Relays ........................................282
Remote entry system .......140–141
illuminated entry ....................146
locking/unlocking doors..141–142
panic alarm .............................142
replacing the batteries ...........144
Reverse sensing system ...........268Roadside assistance ..................278
Roof rack ...................................134
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........181
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ............166,
169–174
Safety Canopy ...........190, 192–193
Safety defects, reporting ..313–314
Safety restraints ........166, 169–174
Belt-Minder...........................176
extension assembly ................175
for adults .........................170–173
for children .............................196
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................167
safety belt maintenance .........181
warning light and chime ........176
Safety seats for children ..........201
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................364
Satellite Radio Information ........45
Seats ..........................................152
child safety seats ....................201
front seats ...............................153
heated ......................................157
memory seat ...................143, 156
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................148
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................26
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................34
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs, specifications ......358,
363
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
372