2008 Mercury Mountaineer brake

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; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
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.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
276

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.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
277

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
5 5A Moonroof, Door lock switch
illumination, Rearview mirror with
microphone
6 20A Liftglass release motor, Door
unlock/lock
7 15A Trailer stop/turn
8 15A Ignition switch power, PATS,
Cluster
9 2A 6R TCM/PCM (Ignition
RUN/START), Fuel pump relay
10 5A Front wiper RUN/ACC relay in
PDB
11 5A Radio start
12 5A Rear wiper motor RUN/ACC,
Trailer battery charge relay in
PDB, Radio
13 15A Heated mirror, Manual climate
rear defrost indicator
14 20A Horn
15 10A Reverse lamps
16 10A Trailer reverse lamps
17 10A RCM (restraints), Passenger
occupancy
18 10A Reverse park aid, IVD switch,
IVD, AWD module, Heated seat
switches, Compass,
Electrochromatic mirror, AUX
climate control
19 — Not used
20 10A Manual climate, DEATC, Brake
shift
21 — Not used
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
284

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

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
14 30A** Memory seats (DSM)
40A** Non-memory seats
15 40A** Rear defrost, Heated mirrors
16 40A** Front blower motor
17 30A** Trailer electronic brakes
18 30A** Auxiliary blower motor
19 30A** Running boards
20 30A** Front wiper motor
21 20A* Rear power point
22 20A* Subwoofer
23 — Not used
24 10A* Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) Keep Alive Power,
Canister vent
25 20A* Front power point/Cigar lighter
26 20A* AWD module
27 20A* 6R Transmission module (4.6L
engine only)
28 20A* Heated seats
29 15A* Headlamps (right)
30 25A* Rear wiper
31 15A* Fog lamps
32 5A* Power mirrors
33 30A* ABS valve
34 15A* Headlamps (left)
35 10A* AC clutch
36 20A* Console bin power point
37 30A* Driver window motor
38 15A* 5R Transmission (4.0L engine
only)
39 15A* PCM power
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
288

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
40 15A* Fan clutch, PCV valve (4.0L
engine only), AC clutch relay,
GCC fan
41 15A* SDARS, DVD, SYNC
42 15A* Redundant brake switch, EVMV,
MAFS, HEGO, EVR, VCT1 (4.6L
engine only), VCT2 (4.6L engine
only), CMCV (4.6L engine only),
CMS
43 15A* Coil on plug (4.6L engine only),
Coil tower (4.0L engine only)
44 15A* Injectors
45B — GCC fan relay
45A — Not used
46B — Not used
46A — Not used
49 — Fuel pump relay
50B — A/C clutch relay
50A — Fog lamps relay
51 — Not used
52 — A/C clutch (diode)
53 — One Touch Integrated Start
(OTIS) (diode)
54 — Trailer battery charger relay
55B — Front wiper relay
55A — PCM relay
56B — Starter relay
56A — Blower relay
* Mini Fuses ** Cartridge Fuses
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
289

CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensor, refer toChanging tires with TPMSin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as
soon as possible.
The use of tire sealants may damage your Tire Pressure
Monitoring System and should not be used.
Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for important information. If
the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer
function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Note:Turn off the power running boards (if equipped) before driving
with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. Refer toRunning boardsin the
Driver Controlschapter.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
290

The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. Park on a level surface, activate
the hazard flashers and set the
parking brake.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
and turn engine OFF.
3. Turn off the power running boards (if equipped). Refer toRunning
boardsin theDriver Controlschapter.
Note:Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the vehicle is
being jacked.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
292