wheel alignment Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2007 Owner's Manuals

The use of wheels or tires not recommended by Ford Motor Company
may affect the operation of your Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do 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.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
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.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
2007 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
177

Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
scheduled maintenance informationthat comes with your vehicle) will
help your tires wear more evenly, providing better tire performance and
longer tire life. Unless otherwise specified, rotate the tires approximately
every 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
•Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four Wheel Drive
(4WD)/ All Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. 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. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
2007 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
178

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

Convenience
To make your service visit even more convenient, in many cases, you’ll
find extended evening hours and Saturday hours. How’s that for quality
service?
Factory-trained Technicians
Ford and Lincoln Mercury service technicians participate in extensive
factory-sponsored training to help them become the experts on the
operation of your vehicle. Many participate in Ford-sponsored training to
become certified. Ask your dealer about the training and certification
their technicians have received.
Factory Authorized Systems Checks
In the event that your vehicle experiences a component related concern,
please contact your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership. The Ford Motor
Company Trained Technicians who work at Ford or Lincoln Mercury
dealerships are specifically trained to understand your vehicle.
A proper repair begins with a thorough system check. A Factory
Authorized Systems Check can ONLY be found at a Ford or Lincoln
Mercury dealership. In some circumstances, the technician may need to
request your authorization to perform additional operations to determine
the final diagnosis. The technician’s goal is to ensure that your vehicle is
fixed right the first time, at the best value to you.
The following list represents several of the Factory Authorized Systems
Checks available at a participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealers:
•Air Conditioning
•Check Engine Light
•All Wheel Drive and4X4
•Automatic Transmission
•Engine Cooling and Cabin Heating
•Steering and Suspension
•Charge/Start/Battery
•Wheel Alignment
•Anti-Lock Brake System
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft Replacement Parts
Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships stock Ford and Motorcraft
branded replacement parts. These parts meet or exceed Ford Motor
2007 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
304

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