load capacity Mercury Marauder 2003 Owner's Manuals

Extended use of other than the manufacturer's specified size tires on a
limited slip rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissible total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
Driving
136

amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
Maintenance and Specifications
199

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification or Tire Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size,
speed rating, and load-carrying capacity as those requiring
replacement. Use only the tire combinations recommended on the
label. If you do not follow these precautions, your vehicle may not
drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº,
ªTouringº, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires:
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²DO NOT USE snow chains on your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
210

idle speed control ...................186
lubrication
specifications ..................212, 214
refill capacities ........................211
service points ..........................181
starting after a collision .........143
Engine block heater .................125
Engine oil ..................................182
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................182
checking and adding ..............182
dipstick ....................................182
filter, specifications ........184, 211
recommendations ...................184
refill capacities ........................211
specifications ..................212, 214
Exhaust fumes ..........................125
F
Floor mats ...................................74
Fluid capacities .........................211
Foglamps .....................................39
Fuel ............................................194
calculating fuel
economy ............................55, 198
cap .....................................11, 196
capacity ...................................211
choosing the right fuel ...........196
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................201
detergent in fuel .....................198
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................194, 196, 198
filter, specifications ........198, 211
fuel filler door override ............73
fuel filler door release ..............72
fuel pump shut-off switch .....143gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........198
low fuel warning light ..............13
octane rating ...................197, 214
quality ......................................197
running out of fuel .................198
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................194
Fuses ..................................144±145
G
Garage door opener ....................68
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......11, 196
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................198
Gauges .........................................15
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................136
definition .................................136
driving with a heavy load ......136
location ....................................136
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................136
calculating ...............................136
definition .................................136
driving with a heavy load ......136
location ....................................136
Index
223

traction control active ..............13
turn signal indicator .................14
Limited-slip axle .......................135
Load limits .................................136
GAWR ......................................136
GVWR ......................................136
trailer towing ..........................136
Locks
autolock .....................................81
childproof ..................................76
doors ..........................................75
Lubricant specifications ...212, 214
Lumbar support, seats ...............88
M
Mirrors .........................................51
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................62
fold away ...................................62
heated ........................................62
side view mirrors (power) .......61
Moon roof ....................................67
Motorcraft parts ................198, 211
O
Octane rating ............................197
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................182
Overdrive .............................71, 133
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................79
Parking brake ............................127
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....211Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................92
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................63
Power adjustable foot pedals .....63
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................148
Power door locks ..................75, 81
Power mirrors .............................61
Power point .................................59
Power steering ..................129±130
fluid, checking and adding ....203
fluid, refill capacity ................211
fluid, specifications .................212
Power Windows ...........................60
R
Radio ............................................19
Radio reception ...........................32
Rear window defroster ...............37
Relays ................................144, 151
Remote entry system ...........77, 79
illuminated entry ......................81
locking/unlocking doors .....75, 78
opening the trunk .....................79
panic alarm ...............................79
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................80
replacing the batteries .............79
Roadside assistance ..................142
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............14, 91, 94, 96±98
Safety defects, reporting ..........172
Index
225