tow Mercury Marauder 2004 s Owner's Guide

Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
2004 Marauder(mdr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
187

Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design, brand, load-carrying capacity and speed rating 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, personal
injury and death.
You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires
due to the aging of the spare tire.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
²Observe posted speed limits
²Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
²Avoid potholes and objects on the road
²Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly spin the
tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an explosion. A tire
can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or property
damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, directly ahead or
behind the spinning tire.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 35 mph (55 km/h) point
indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there's always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
2004 Marauder(mdr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
206

opening the trunk .....................64
panic alarm ...............................64
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................66
Roadside assistance ..................129
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............88
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................77, 80±83
Safety Canopy .............................93
Safety defects, reporting ..........159
Safety restraints ..............77, 80±83
belt minder ...............................84
extension assembly ..................88
for adults .............................81±83
for children ...............................96
safety belt maintenance ...........88
warning light and chime ..........84
Safety seats for children ............99
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................77
Seats ............................................74
child safety seats ......................99
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................70±72
Servicing your vehicle ..............166
Setting the clock
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................20
Spark plugs, specifications ......207,
211
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................209, 211
Speed control ..............................50
Starting your vehicle .......108±109,
111jump starting ..........................145
Steering
speed sensitive .......................117
Steering wheel
controls ......................................53
tilting .........................................39
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................39
Tires ...........................139, 194±196
alignment ................................203
care ..........................................201
changing ..................139, 141, 145
checking the pressure ............201
label .........................................201
replacing ..................................205
rotating ....................................203
safety practices .......................206
sidewall information ...............197
snow tires and chains ............207
spare tire .................................139
terminology .............................196
tire grades ...............................195
treadwear ........................195, 204
Towing .......................................125
recreational towing .................128
trailer towing ..........................125
wrecker ....................................150
Traction control ........................115
Transmission .............................118
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....118
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................191
fluid, refill capacities ..............208
lubricant specifications ..209, 211
Trunk ...........................................61
remote release ....................58, 64
Turn signal ..................................31
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................211
2004 Marauder(mdr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
222

Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................213
Vehicle loading ..........................122
Ventilating your vehicle ...........111
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................169Water, Driving through .............122
Windows
power
.........................................48
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................38
checking and adding fluid
.....169
replacing wiper blades
.............38
Wrecker towing
.........................150
2004 Marauder(mdr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
223