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2008 Mercury Mountaineer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Mountaineer.

Body SUV

The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer is an SUV that carries a 5.0‑quart oil capacity with a 5W‑30 API rating, reflecting its powerplant. Across its production span from 1996 to 2010 the model logged 96 owner complaints, a figure that places it well below the peak 390 complaints recorded in 2002 and far above the early‑year low of 3, while only two recalls have been issued. The most frequent grievance centers on the seats, indicating that although overall reliability remains modest, the 2008 version marks a clear improvement in the brand’s historical complaint trajectory.

Model year2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

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 Fluid	Ford Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.6 Pints, rear
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	17.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	9.0 if equipped with drain plug ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Ignition Timing	10

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Less auxiliary A/C, 1.94. With auxiliary A/C, 2.94. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	Less auxiliary A/C, 9.00. With auxiliary A/C, 16.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	65

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-201 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30-40
RPM	30-40 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30-40
RPM	30-40 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	24 ft-lbs / 53 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.145 in / 0.456 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.122 in / 0.433 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC

33 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

89 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs. step 3: 90

89 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep M12 bolts

1	9 ft. lbs.; M12 bolts	9 ft. lbs
2	18 ft. lbs.; M8 bolts; 24 ft. lbs.; M12 bolts	18 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees; M12 bolts	90 degrees
4	90 degrees; Do not re-use old bolts.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees; Do not re-use old bolts.	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

10 ft. lbs., Step 2: 52

10 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

install 6 new exhaust manifold stud

9 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.4

1.5 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

25 ft. lbs., Step 2: 67-75

25 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 7,500 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 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (lubricate) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (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.

The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer occupies a late position in this generation’s lifecycle, when federal data shows complaint volumes had stabilized at relatively modest levels compared to the peaks of 1997 and 2002. With 96 complaints, 2 recalls, and 21 TSBs, the 2008 model sits slightly above 2007’s 81 complaints but maintains the low-TSB trajectory that fell from 344 in 1999 to 21 in 2008, while investigations remained minimal at 1 versus the 7 seen in 1998. The 2008 model shows the highest complaint concentration in Seats (25), followed by a combined Electrical System/Seats category (15) and Electrical System alone (13), with 3 crash-related complaints and 0 fire complaints recorded, though the federal data does not specify root causes for these incidents. This places 2008 within the final years of declining incident reports before the model’s discontinuation, exhibiting fewer complaints and TSBs than mid-generation years like 2004 (210 complaints, 103 TSBs) while carrying only one more recall than 2007. Given the downward trend in technical service bulletins and the relatively low complaint volume compared to earlier model years, 2008 represents a solid purchase option within this generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07’08’09 ’10

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 96 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seats25

Electrical System,Seats15

Electrical System13

Seat Belts4

Power Train4

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Seats4

Steering2

Seats,Interior Lighting2

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…

07V453000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And LinesReported 26/09/2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 21 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SSM 52476	2024-04-24	Equipment	All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 51909	2023-09-07	Power Train	When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
DOR-S3J9G-11	2018-10-02	Steering	This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of…

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.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Mountaineer take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C946-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Mountaineer have open recalls?

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