tire pressure 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

PAINT CHIPS
Your dealer has touch-up paint and sprays to match your vehicle's color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver's door jam) to
your dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
²Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout before repairing paint chips.
²Always read the instructions before using the products.
ALUMINUM WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS
Aluminum wheels and wheel covers are coated with a clearcoat paint
finish. In order to maintain their shine:
²Clean weekly with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37±A),
which is available from your dealer. Heavy dirt and brake dust
accumulation may require agitation with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly
with a strong stream of water.
²Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
²Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers. Chemical-strength cleaners, or cleaning
chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust
and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat finish over time.
²Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
²To remove tar and grease, use Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil
Removal (B7A-19520±AA), available from your dealer.
Stainless steel exhaust tips
²Wash the vehicle first, using cool or lukewarm water and a neutral Ph
shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3±A).
²Use Custom Brite Metal Cleaner (ZC-15), available from your dealer.
Apply the product as you would a wax; allow the cleaner to dry for a
few minutes, then wipe off the haze with a clean, dry rag.
ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The
high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause
damage.
Cleaning
174

SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification label and inside fuel door.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires are styled with unique larger tires on the
rear wheels, you can only replace tires side to side. Must not rotate tires
in a criss cross pattern or front to rear. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
²Tire rotation
Maintenance and Specifications
209

Safety restraints ........91, 94, 96±98
belt minder ...............................99
cleaning the safety belts ........103
extension assembly ................103
for adults .............................96±98
for children .............................111
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................92
warning light and
chime .......................12, 14, 98±99
Safety seats for children ..........114
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............91
Seats ............................................88
child safety seats ....................114
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................84±86
Servicing your vehicle ..............179
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........151
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................211, 214
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................212, 214
Speed control ..............................63
Speedometer ...............................17
Starting your vehicle .......122±123,
125
jump starting ..........................156
Steering
speed sensitive .......................130
Steering wheel
controls ..........................50, 63, 67
tilting .........................................50T
Tachometer .................................18
Tires ...........................151, 207±209
changing ..........................151±152
checking the pressure ............209
replacing ..................................210
rotating ....................................209
snow tires and chains ............210
tire grades ...............................208
treadwear ................................208
Towing .......................................138
recreational towing .................140
trailer towing ..........................138
wrecker ....................................162
Traction control ........................128
active light ................................13
Transmission .............................131
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................204
fluid, refill capacities ..............211
lubricant
specifications ..................212, 214
Trip odometer .............................18
Trunk ...........................................76
remote release ....................73, 79
Turn signal ............................14, 42
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................214
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................216
Vehicle loading ..........................136
Ventilating your vehicle ...........125
Index
226