tire type Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2007 s User Guide

more effort. Under extreme usage conditions, the steering effort may
increase. This occurs to prevent overheating and permanent damage to
your steering system. If this should occur, you will neither lose the ability
to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause permanent damage.
Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the system to cool and
steering assist will return to normal.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
2007 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
205

Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly and avoid spinning the
wheels.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through 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.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
2007 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
214

•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a conventional spare tire that is
different in one or more of the following: type, brand, size, speed rating
and tread design. If this is the case, this dissimilar spare tire is still rated
for your vehicle loads (GAWR and GVWR). This temporary spare tire is
not equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensor.
The use of tire sealants may damage your tires. The use of tire
sealants may also damage your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
and should not be used.
Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTire,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for important information. If the
tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer
function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
2007 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
229

Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................127, 131–135
Safety Canopy ...................151, 153
Safety defects, reporting ..........254
Safety restraints ........127, 131–135
belt minder .............................137
extension assembly ................136
for adults .........................132–134
for children .....................156–157
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................129
safety belt maintenance .........136
warning light and
chime ...............................136–137
Safety seats for children ..........160
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................298
Scheduled Maintenance
Guide .........................................302
General Maintenance
Information .............................302
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............306
Special Operating
Conditions ...............................320
What Maintenance Schedule
Should You Follow? ................305
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............127
Seats ..........................................119
child safety seats ....................160
heated ......................................122
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................114
Servicing your vehicle ..............262
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ..........23, 27
Snowplowing ...............................10Spark plugs,
specifications .....................293, 297
Special notice
ambulance conversions ............10
utility-type vehicles ..................10
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................295
Speed control ..............................88
Starting your vehicle ........199, 201
jump starting ..................240, 244
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................83
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................83
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....184
Warning Displays ......................14
Tires ...................................170–171
alignment ................................177
care ..........................................174
changing ..................................231
checking the pressure ............174
inflating ...................................172
label .........................................183
replacing ..................................176
rotating ....................................178
safety practices .......................177
sidewall information ...............179
snow tires and chains ............188
spare tire .................................229
terminology .............................171
tire grades ...............................171
treadwear ........................170, 175
Towing .......................................194
recreational towing .................198
trailer towing ..........................194
wrecker ....................................247
2007 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
330