towing Mercury Mariner 2010 s Owner's Guide

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor
Company has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
On FWD vehicles, if your vehicle is to be towed from the front, ensure
proper wheel lift equipment is used to raise the front wheels off the
ground. The rear wheels can be left on the ground when towed in this
fashion.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment, it
isrequiredthat the front wheels (drive wheels) be placed on a dolly to
prevent damage to the transmission.
On 4WD vehicles, it isrequiredthat your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground to
prevent damage to the automatic transmission, 4WD system or vehicle.
Roadside Emergencies
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Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Emergency towing
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat
towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•Vehicle is facing forward so that it is being towed in a forward
direction.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral). Refer toBrake-shift interlock
in theDrivingchapter for specific instructions if you cannot move the
gear shift lever into N (Neutral).
•Maximum speed is not to exceed 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).
Roadside Emergencies
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•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA fuel economy estimates
Every new vehicle should have a sticker on the window called the
Monroney Label which contains EPA fuel economy estimates. Contact
your authorized dealer if the Monroney Label is not supplied with your
vehicle. The EPA fuel economy estimates should be your guide for the
fuel economy comparisons with other vehicles. Your fuel economy may
vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250 ml) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
Type A
Type B
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid should be removed by an authorized
dealer.
An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
Checking transmission fluid level for recreational flat tow
operation
Type A
Type B
Before recreational flat towing your vehicle, the transmission fluid level
may need to be set to a lower level. These guidelines are designed to
prevent damage to your transmission. Before you recreational flat tow,
your fluid level must be verified by an authorized dealer.
DO NOT ADD
ADD (CHECK HOT)
DO NOT ADD
ADD (CHECK HOT)
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This fluid level is within the normal operating fluid range and does not
require that you have your fluid level readjusted after recreational flat
tow operation.
See theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information on
recreational flat towing.
AIR FILTER
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the air filter element
listed. Refer toMotorcraft
part numbersin this chapter.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or
personal burn injuries do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
1. Release the clamps that secure the air filter housing cover.
•2.5L I4 engine
•3.0L V6 engine
2. Pull the air filter housing cover away.
3. Remove the air filter element from the air filter housing.
4. Wipe the air filter housing and cover clean to remove any dirt or
debris and to ensure good sealing.
Maintenance and Specifications
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FORD ESP EXTENDED SERVICE PLANS
More than 30 million Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury owners have discovered
the powerful protection of Ford ESP. It is the only extended service plan
backed by Ford Motor Company, and provides “peace of mind”
protection beyond the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage.
Up to 500+ Covered Vehicle Components
There are four, new-vehicle Extended Service Plans with different levels
of coverage. Ask you dealer for details.
PremiumCare –Our most comprehensive coverage. With over 500
covered components, this plan is so complete that we generally only
discuss what’s not covered!
ExtraCare –Covers 113 components, and includes many high-tech
items.
BaseCare –Covers 84 components.
PowertrainCare –Covers 29 critical components.
Ford ESP is honored by all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Dealers in
the U.S. and CanadaIt’s the only extended service plan authorized and
backed by Ford Motor Company. That means you get:
•Reliable, quality service anywhere you go.
•Factory-trained technicians.
•Genuine Ford and Motorcraft
Parts.
Rental car reimbursement
If your vehicle is kept overnight for covered repairs,you are
eligible for rental car coverage, including Bumper-to-Bumper warranty
repairs, or manufacturer’s recalls.
Transferable coverage
If you sell your vehicle before your Ford ESP coverage expires, you can
transfer any remaining coverage to the new owner. Whenever you’re
ready to sell your car, prospective buyers may feel better about taking a
risk on your used vehicle. Ford ESP may add resale value!
Plus,exclusive 24/7 roadside assistance,including:
•Towing, flat-tire change and battery jump starts.
•Out-of-fuel and lock-out assistance.
•Travel expense reimbursement for lodging, meals and rental car.
•Destination assistance for taxi, shuttle, rental car coverage and
emergency transportation.
Ford Extended Service Plan
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utility-type vehicles ....................6
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................323
Speed control ..............................74
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......210
Starting your
vehicle ........................207–208, 210
jump starting ..........................265
Steering wheel
controls ......................................77
tilting .........................................65
Stereo
CD-MP3 .....................................27
SYNC
..........................................44
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................65
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....189
Tires ...................................173–175
alignment ................................182
care ..........................................178
changing ..........................256, 258
checking the pressure ............178
inflating ...................................176
label .........................................188
replacing ..................................179
rotating ....................................182
safety practices .......................181
sidewall information ...............183
snow tires and chains ............193
spare tire .........................254, 256
terminology .............................175
tire grades ...............................174
treadwear ........................174, 178
Towing .......................................200recreational towing .................205
trailer towing ..........................200
wrecker ....................................270
Transmission .............................224
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....222
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................317
fluid, refill capacities ..............323
lubricant specifications ..........323
Trunk ...........................................88
Turn signal ..................................56
U
Universal garage door opener ....80
USB port ......................................37
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................327
Vehicle loading ..........................194
Ventilating your vehicle ...........211
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................290
Water, Driving through .............243
Windows
power .........................................71
rear wiper/washer .....................65
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................64
checking and adding fluid .....290
liftgate reservoir .....................290
replacing wiper blades ...291–292
Wrecker towing .........................270
Index
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