2004 Mercury Mountaineer Owner's Manual - Page 159

Driving faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do not become overconfident as to road conditions. Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS), do not "pump" the brakes. Refer to the Brakes section of this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system. Never drive with chains on the front tires of AWD vehicles without also putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and swing around during braking. Tires, Replacement Requirements Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that originally provided by Ford Motor Company because it can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or serious personal injury or death. Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide for safe ride and handling capability. Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type, tread design and load-carrying capacity. If you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer. If you nevertheless decide to equip your AWD for off-road use with tires larger than what Ford Motor Company recommends, you should not use these tires for highway driving. If you use any tire/wheel combination not recommended by Ford Motor Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure as well as the increased risk of loss of vehicle control. Do not use "aftermarket lift kits" or other suspension modifications, whether or not they are used with larger tires and wheels. These "aftermarket lift kits" could adversely affect the vehicle's handling characteristics, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or rollover and serious injury. Tires can be damaged during off-road use. For your safety, tires that are damaged should not be used for highway driving because they are more likely to blow out or fail. 159 2004 Mountaineer (mnt) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English (fus)