wheel alignment Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2008 Owner's Manuals

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.
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.
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
161

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.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL
Both U.S. and Canada Federal regulations require tire manufacturers to
place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of
the tire and also provides a U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number for
safety standard certification and in case of a recall.
Information on “P” type tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a
tire size, load index and speed
rating. The definitions of these
items are listed below. (Note that
the tire size, load index and speed
rating for your vehicle may be
different from this example.)
1.P:Indicates a tire, designated by
the Tire and Rim Association
(T&RA), that may be used for
service on cars, SUVs, minivans and
light trucks.
Note:If your tire size does not
begin with a letter this may mean it
is designated by either ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association).
2.215:Indicates the nominal width of the tire in millimeters from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the number, the
wider the tire.
3.65:Indicates the aspect ratio which gives the tire’s ratio of height to
width.
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
162

Get the most from your service and maintenance visits
There are a lot of reasons why visiting your Ford or Lincoln Mercury
Dealership for all your service needs is a great way to help keep your
vehicle running great.
Convenience
Many Dealerships have extended evening and Saturday hours to make
your service visit more convenient. How’s that for quality service?
Factory-trained Technicians
Ford and Lincoln Mercury service technicians participate in extensive
factory-sponsored certification training to help them become experts on
the operation of your vehicle. Ask your Dealership about the training and
certification their technicians have received.
Factory Authorized Systems Checks
In the event your vehicle experiences a component related concern,
please contact your Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealership. The Ford Motor
Company Trained Technicians who work at Ford, Lincoln or Mercury
dealerships are specifically trained to understand your vehicle.
A proper repair begins with a thorough system check. Factory
Authorized Systems Checks 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 participating Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealerships:
•Climate Control
•Check Engine Light
•All Wheel Drive/Four-Wheel Drive
•Automatic Transmission
•Engine Cooling/Cabin Heating
•Suspension/Steering
•Charge/Start/Battery
•Wheel Alignment
•Brakes
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
294

Remote entry system ...........89–90
illuminated entry ......................93
locking/unlocking doors .....90–91
opening the trunk .....................91
panic alarm ...............................91
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................92
replacing the batteries .............92
Reverse sensing system ...........196
Roadside assistance ..................205
Roof rack .....................................80
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........117
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................108, 112–116
Safety Canopy ...........132–133, 135
Safety defects, reporting ..241–242
Safety restraints ........108, 112–116
Belt-Minder...........................118
extension assembly ................117
for adults .........................113–115
for children .............................138
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................110
safety belt maintenance .........117
warning light and chime ........118
Safety seats for children ..........142
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................288
Satellite Radio Information ........35
Scheduled Maintenance
Guide .........................................292
General Maintenance
Information .............................292
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............297Special Operating
Conditions ...............................303
What Maintenance Schedule
Should You Follow? ................296
Seats ..........................................100
child safety seats ....................142
heated ......................................103
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................96
Servicing your vehicle ..............250
Snowplowing ...............................15
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................284, 287
Special notice
ambulance conversions ............15
utility-type vehicles ..................15
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................285
Speed control ..............................65
Starting your vehicle ........184–186
jump starting ..................227, 232
Steering wheel
controls ......................................68
tilting .........................................56
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................56
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....167
Tires ...................................152–154
alignment ................................161
care ..........................................157
changing ..........................218, 221
checking the pressure ............157
inflating ...................................155
label .........................................166
2008 Mariner Hybrid(mhv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
313