charging Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2008 Owner's Manuals

In prolonged mountainous driving, you may see the engine tachometer
changing without your input. This is intentional and maintains the
battery charge level. You may also notice during extended downhill
driving that your engine continues to run instead of shutting off.
During this “engine braking”, the engine stays on, but it’s not using any
fuel. You may also hear a slight whine or whistle when operating your
vehicle. This is the normal operation of the electric generator in the
hybrid system.
During certain events (such as vehicle servicing) your low voltage
(underhood) battery may become disconnected or disabled. When this
occurs, and after reconnecting the low voltage (underhood) battery and
driving the vehicle, the engine may continue to operate for 3-5 seconds
after the key is turned to the 1 (LOCK) position. This is a normal
condition, as the vehicle’s computers are relearning the operating
characteristics of your particular engine in order to operate it at
maximum efficiency.
Braking:Your hybrid is equipped with standard hydraulic braking and
regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is performed by your
transmission and it captures brake energy and stores it in your high
voltage battery.
You may hear a pumping sound when you unlock or enter the vehicle
and a venting sound a few minutes after shutting off the vehicle. This is
the hydraulic portion of your regenerative braking system charging and
discharging.
Driving to optimize fuel economy
Your fuel economy should improve throughout your hybrid’s break-in
period. As with any vehicle, fuel economy can be significantly impacted
by your driving habits and accessory usage. For best results, keep in
mind these tips:
Tire Inflation:Keep tires properly inflated and only use recommended
size.
Climate Control:Your hybrid is equipped with an “ECON” button that
offers a more fuel efficient operation of your automatic temperature
control system.
When activated, the “ECON” feature allows the engine to shut down at
low speeds or when your vehicle is stopped.
If cooler temperature is desired, the “ECON” button can be turned off,
for better interior cooling but lower fuel economy.
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
8

Question Answer
Can you charge the battery with a
plug into an A/C outlet?There are no provisions for
charging the high voltage battery
from a power supply external to
the vehicle.
What is the purpose of the ECON
button?ECON mode may provide
improved fuel economy by
preventing the gasoline engine
from running for the sole purpose
of providing air conditioning. When
the engine turns off, the A/C
compressor does not operate and
warm air may come out of the
vents. In ECON mode, A/C
operates as normal when the
gasoline engine is running.
Can I tow the hybrid behind my
motor home with all four wheels
down?Yes. Your hybrid vehicle can be
“flat-towed” without modification.
See theRecreational Towing
section in theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more
information.
SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered by
your vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, refer to theWarranty
Guidethat is provided to you along with yourOwner’s Guide.
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
Please read the sectionAirbag supplemental restraint system
(SRS)in theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter. Failure to
follow the specific warnings and instructions could result in personal
injury.
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
13

Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to the RUN position, continues to
flash or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately by your authorized dealer. A chime will also sound
when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
Master vehicle electrical hazard
warning lamp:Indicates Hybrid
component fault/failure that will
cause the vehicle to shutdown or
fail to start.
Note: If the vehicle is still running, the vehicle may soon
shutdown without further warning and should be stopped safely.
If this lamp is lit, stop the vehicle, shift to P (Park), turn the key to the
Off position, and attempt to restart the vehicle. If the fault remains, the
vehicle may require refueling, jump starting, resetting of the shut-off
switches, or service. For information regardingLow voltage
[underhood] battery only)andFuel pump/High voltage shut-off
switchesplease refer to theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
Ready indicator light:Illuminates
once the vehicle has successfully
started. Indicates the vehicle is
ready to drive even when you don’t
hear the engine running.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the 12V charging system is not
working properly.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
20

ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately by an authorized dealer.)
Regenerative Braking System (RBS)
Your vehicle uses a feature known as regenerative braking. This is used
to simulate the engine braking of an internal combustion engine and
assist the standard brake system while recovering some of the energy of
motion back into the battery to improve fuel economy. The standard
brake system is designed to fully stop the car if regenerative braking is
not available. During regenerative braking, the motor is spun as a
generator to create electrical current. This recharges the high voltage
battery and slows the vehicle. In effect, once the accelerator pedal is
released, the motor changes from an energy user to an energy producer.
When the accelerator pedal is released or the brake pedal is applied, the
brake controller automatically detects the amount of deceleration
requested and optimizes how much of the deceleration will be produced
by regenerative braking. The remaining portion is generated by standard
friction braking. When the battery is almost fully charged, the amount of
regenerative braking is limited to avoid overcharging, and the requested
deceleration is produced by standard friction braking alone.
Regenerative braking does not take the place of the standard friction
brakes; it only assists them. Regenerative braking has also been designed
to interact with the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Regenerative braking
is disabled when the ABS is activated or the battery is fully charged.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
189

•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
Low and high voltage battery – storage
Your vehicle must be started and run for a minimum of 10 minutes once
a month in order to maintain the high voltage battery charge. This will
maintain the high voltage battery but it is not enough to maintain the
low voltage (underhood) battery and additional low voltage (underhood)
battery charging may be required after 60 days.
If your vehicle is to be stored for 30 days or longer, the low voltage
(underhood) battery negative terminal must be disconnected. Failure to
do this could damage your vehicle’s batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT AND MOTOR/ELECTRONICS COOLANT
Your vehicle is equipped with two separate coolant systems. One is for
engine cooling and the other is for various electric motors and other
components that are specific to the hybrid operating systems.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
261

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.
•Have the items listed inscheduled maintenance information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed inscheduled maintenance
informationare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the
indicator, charging system warning light or the
temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or loss of
engine power could indicate that the emission control system is not
working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
275