MercuryMountaineer2006Overview/mercury/mountaineer/2006/base/

2006 Mercury Mountaineer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Mountaineer.

Body SUV

The 2006 Mercury Mountaineer is a sport‑utility vehicle that requires 5.0 qt of 5W‑30 API‑specified engine oil. It logged 117 total owner complaints for the model year, with the most frequent issues arising in the engine and engine cooling system, and was subject to two recalls. This complaint total is far below the 2002 peak of 390 reports but still above the 1996 low of just three complaints. Situated between those extremes in the 1996‑2010 complaint history, the 2006 Mountaineer reflects a meaningful improvement over the worst year while showing more problems than the earliest examples.

Model year201020092008200720062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 Pints, Rear
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug17.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 1.94. With auxiliary A/C, 2.94. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 9.00. With auxiliary A/C, 16.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-201 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-40
RPM30-40 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-40
RPM30-40 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 53 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.45 in / 1.145 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.43 in / 1.122 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC33 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 90 degrees, must not exceed 148 ft. lbs.(200Nm).66 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
126 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5210 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 67-7525 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2006 the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer generated 117 consumer complaints, 2 safety‑related recalls and no investigations, a complaint level that exceeds the 82 recorded in 2005 but remains well below the peaks of 369 (1997) and 390 (2002) and is comparable to the 81 complaints recorded in 2007. Recalls in 2006 (2) are identical to those in 2004 and double the single recall each in 2005 and 2007, while the total service‑bulletin count of 37 is higher than 2007’s 22 but lower than 2005’s 49. The majority of complaints cluster in Engine & Engine Cooling (33) and Power Train (29), with additional reports in Engine (8) and Unknown Or Other (6). Given the moderate complaint volume, low recall frequency, and concentration on powertrain concerns, a buyer should proceed only after confirming a thorough service history and engine inspection.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
37
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
117
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 117 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling33
Power Train29
Engine8
Unknown Or Other6
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train4
Engine & Engine Cooling,Equipment4
Electrical System3
Fuel System, Gasoline3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E104000Visibility:Glass, Side/RearReported 11/12/2007

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT… Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS…

05V520000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:MotorReported 09/11/2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 37 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 519092023-09-07Power TrainWhen performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
DOR-S3J9G-112018-10-02SteeringThis SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of…
SSM 473312018-06-01EngineVarious vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mountaineer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Mountaineer take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Mountaineer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.