2000 Mercury Mountaineer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 160

Driving Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles. Driving off-road with AWD Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road. Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain. Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not grip the spokes. Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as rocks and stumps. You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more information on driving off-road, read the "Four Wheeling" supplement in your owner's portfolio. If your vehicle gets stuck If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear. Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating temperature or damage to the transmission may occur. Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may overheat. Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander. Sand When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower 160