1997 Mercury Mountaineer Owner's Manual - Page 167

Maintenance and care issued a gasoline specificaton to provide information on high quality fuels that optimize the performance of your vehicle. We recommend the use of gasolines that meet the AAMA specification if they are available. It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel. Choosing the right fuel Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle. The damage may not be covered by your warranty. Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel containing manganese-based additives such as MMT. Additionally, vehicles certified to California emission standards (indicated on the underhood Vehicle Emissions Control Information label) are designed to operate on California reformulated gasolines. If California reformulated gasoline is not available when you refuel, your vehicle can be operated on non-California fuels. However, even though your engine will perform adequately on other gasolines, the performance of the emission control devices and systems may be adversely affected. Repair of damage caused by using a fuel that your vehicle was not designed for may not be covered by your warranty. 167