1997 Mercury Mountaineer Owner's Manual - Page 154

Maintenance and care the electrolyte level and adding water. Check the electrolyte level every 24 months or 40,000 km (24,000 miles) in average temperatures 32°C (90°F). Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the level indicator. Do not overfill. If the level gets low, refill the battery with distilled water. If necessary, distilled water may be substituted with tap water that is not hard and does not have a high mineral or alkali content. If the battery needs water quite often, have the charging system checked for a possible malfunction. Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver control feature designed to prevent your battery from accidental wear down due to doors left ajar. For information on the system and how it works, see Interior overhead lamp in the Controls and features chapter. Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer, some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the computer must "relearn" its idle conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this process: 1. Put the gearshift in P (Park). 2. Turn off all accessories, and start the vehicle. 154