2000 Mercury Mountaineer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 151

Driving The transmission control indicator light (TCIL) will illuminate on the instrument cluster. O/D OFF Drive - Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission control switch on the end of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in position. The O/D OFF indicator will illuminate on the instrument the cluster. Transmission operates in gears one through three. (Drive) provides more engine braking than (Overdrive) and is useful when: • driving with a heavy load. • towing a trailer up or down steep hills. • additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to Driving while you tow in the Trailer Towing chapter. (Overdrive) mode, press the transmission control switch. To return to The O/D OFF indicator will no longer be illuminated. Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically return to normal overdrive mode. Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you must press the transmission control switch to cancel overdrive operation if driving in overdrive is not desired. 2 (Second) Use 2 (Second) to start-up on slippery roads or to provide additional engine braking on downgrades. Transmission operates only in Second gear. 1 (First) Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum engine braking on steep downgrades. Upshifts can be made by shifting to 2 (Second) or to (Overdrive). Selecting 1 (Low) at higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear, and will shift to 1 (Low) after vehicle decelerates to the proper speed. 151