2008 Mercury Mountaineer Tire pressure

Seating and Safety Restraints 152
Seating 152
Safety restraints 166
Airbags 181
Child restraints 196
Tires, Wheels and Loading 211
Tire information 213
Tire inflation 216
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 228
Vehicle loading 233
Trailer towing 240
Recreational towing 245
Driving 247
Starting 247
Brakes 252
Traction Control™/AdvanceTrac
255
Transmission operation 260
Roadside Emergencies 278
Getting roadside assistance 278
Hazard flasher switch 280
Fuel pump shut-off switch 280
Fuses and relays 282
Changing tires 290
Lug nut torque 299
Jump starting 300
Wrecker towing 305
Customer Assistance 307
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 313
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 314
Cleaning 315
Table of Contents
2
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
11

Engine coolant temperature:
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as possible, switch
off the engine and let cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and Specifications
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will illuminate for 3 seconds to
ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn ON, have the
system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more information on
this system, refer toUnderstanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring
Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Service
engine soon warning light to come
on. Refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specifications
chapter.
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
O/D off:Illuminates when the
overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off,
refer to theDrivingchapter.
O/D
OFF
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
15

Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Turn signal warning chime:Sounds when the turn signal lever has
been activated to signal a turn and not turned off after the vehicle is
driven more than 2 miles (3.2 km).
Parking brake ON warning chime:Sounds when the parking brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph (5
km/h).
Message center activation chime:Sounds when the following
warnings DOOR AJAR, LOW FUEL LEVEL or LOW TIRE PRESSURE
appear in the message center display for the first time.
GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
17

Warning display Status
Door ajar Warning cannot be reset
Fuel level low Warning returns after 10 minutes
Park brake engaged
Check brake system
Check park aid (if equipped) Warning returns only after the ignition
key is turned from OFF to ON.
Brake fluid level low
Check headlamp
Check highbeam lamp
Check turn lamp
Washer fluid level low
Oil change required
Engine oil change soon
Liftgate/glass ajar Warning returns after the condition
has cleared then reoccurs within the
same ignition ON-OFF cycle. Clear objects by pass seat
Check charging system
Low tire pressure
Tire monitor fault
Tire sensor fault
For 4x4 low stop vehicle (if
equipped)Temporary alert
For 4x4 low shift to N (if
equipped)
To exit 4x4 low stop vehicle (if
equipped)
To exit 4x4 low shift to N (if
equipped)
DOOR AJAR.Displayed when a door is not completely closed.
CLEAR OBJECTS BY PASS SEAT.Displayed when objects are by the
passenger seat. After the objects are moved away from the seat, if the
warning stays on or continues to come on contact your authorized
dealer.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
127

electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the manual park brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph (5
km/h). If the warning stays on after the park brake is released, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped).Displayed when the transmission is
in R (Reverse) and the Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse Sensing System (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TIRE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure sensor is
malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more information on how
the system operates under these conditions, refer toUnderstanding
your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK HEADLAMP.Displayed when the headlamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
CHECK HIGHBEAM LAMP.Displayed when the highbeam lamps are
activated and at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon
as possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing
headlamp bulbsin theLightschapter.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
128

TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service, but they
must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
•Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
•Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of
each tire providing information about the tire brand and
manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manufacture. Also referred
to as DOT code.
•Inflation pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
•Standard load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing
the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tire’s
load carrying capability.
•Extra load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
heavier maximum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase
the tire’s load carrying capability.
•kPa:Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
•PSI:Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
•Cold inflation pressure:The tire pressure when the vehicle has
been stationary and out of direct sunlight for an hour or more and
prior to the vehicle being driven for 1 mile (1.6 km).
•Recommended inflation pressure:The cold inflation pressure found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label located on
the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door.
•B-pillar:The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the
front door.
•Bead area of the tire:Area of the tire next to the rim.
•Sidewall of the tire:Area between the bead area and the tread.
•Tread area of the tire:Area of the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when mounted on the vehicle.
•Rim:The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated.
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
215

INFLATING YOUR TIRES
Safe operation of your vehicle requires that your tires are properly
inflated. Remember that a tire can lose up to half of its air pressure
without appearing flat.
Every day before you drive, check your tires. If one looks lower than the
others, use a tire gauge to check pressure of all tires and adjust if
required.
At least once a month and before long trips, inspect each tire and check
the tire pressure with a tire gauge (including spare, if equipped). Inflate
all tires to the inflation pressure recommended by Ford Motor Company.
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare
(if equipped), at least monthly and before long trips. You are strongly
urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station
gauges may be inaccurate. Ford recommends the use of a digital or
dial-type tire pressure gauge rather than a stick-type tire pressure gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear. Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failures and
may result in severe tire cracking, tread separation orblowout,
with unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased risk of injury.
Under-inflation increases sidewall flexing and rolling resistance,
resulting in heat buildup and internal damage to the tire. It also may
result in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of vehicle control
and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not
appear to be flat!
Always inflate your tires to the Ford recommended inflation pressure
even if it is less than the maximum inflation pressure information found
on the tire. The Ford recommended tire inflation pressure is found on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label which is located
on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. Failure to follow the tire
pressure recommendations can cause uneven treadwear patterns and
adversely affect the way your vehicle handles.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressureis the tire manufacturer’s
maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at which the maximum
load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is normally higher than the
manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure which can be found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label which is located
2008 Mountaineer(mnt)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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