2003 Mercury Marauder battery

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.6L DOHC V8 engine
1. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
6. Air filter assembly
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant bleed plug
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Battery
11. Power distribution box
Maintenance and Specifications
181

BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
Maintenance and Specifications
186

When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
Maintenance and Specifications
187

²Always 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.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36É C (-34É F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014±R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the ªcold fullº of ªcold fill rangeº level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50±50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
²Freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²Boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
188

If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
Maintenance and Specifications
203

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.6L DOHC V8 engine
Air filter element FA-1745
Fuel filter FG-986B
Battery-standard BXT-65±650
Oil filter FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-257
Spark plugs* AWSF-32-EM
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Capacity
Engine oil (includes
filter change)Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil5.7L (6.0 quarts)
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
Fill to line on reservoir
Power steering fluid Motorcraft MERCONt
AT FFill to line on reservoir
Transmission fluid
2Motorcraft
MERCONtVATF17.6L (18.6 quarts)3
Engine coolant4Motorcraft Premium
Engine Coolant
(green-colored) or
Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)13.8L (14.6 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A 71.9L (19.0 gallons)
Rear axle lubricant
5Motorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant2.2L (4.75 pints)
Maintenance and Specifications
211

A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................126
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ................104, 108
and child safety seats ............106
description ......................104, 108
disposal ....................................111
driver air bag ..................106, 109
indicator light ...........12, 108, 110
operation .........................106, 109
passenger air bag ...........106, 109
side air bag ..............................108
Air cleaner filter ...............206, 211
Air conditioning ..........................33
Air suspension ...........................130
description ..............................130
warning light .............................13
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................188
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................126±127
Audio system
(see Radio) ..................................19
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................132
fluid, adding ............................204
fluid, checking ........................204
fluid, refill capacities ..............211
fluid, specification ..................214
Auxiliary power point .................59
Axle
lubricant
specifications ..................212, 214
refill capacities ........................211B
Battery .......................................186
acid, treating emergencies .....186
charging system warning
light ............................................12
jumping a disabled battery ....156
maintenance-free ....................186
replacement, specifications ...211
servicing ..................................186
voltage gauge ............................16
BeltMinder ...................................99
Brakes ........................................126
anti-lock ...........................126±127
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................12, 127
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....204
fluid, refill capacities ..............211
fluid, specifications .........212, 214
lubricant
specifications ..................212, 214
shift interlock ..........................131
Bulbs ............................................43
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....211
CD changer .................................28
CD-single premium .....................19
Cell phone use ............................73
Certification Label ....................216
Changing a tire .........................151
Child safety restraints ..............111
child safety belts ....................111
Index
221

idle speed control ...................186
lubrication
specifications ..................212, 214
refill capacities ........................211
service points ..........................181
starting after a collision .........143
Engine block heater .................125
Engine oil ..................................182
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................182
checking and adding ..............182
dipstick ....................................182
filter, specifications ........184, 211
recommendations ...................184
refill capacities ........................211
specifications ..................212, 214
Exhaust fumes ..........................125
F
Floor mats ...................................74
Fluid capacities .........................211
Foglamps .....................................39
Fuel ............................................194
calculating fuel
economy ............................55, 198
cap .....................................11, 196
capacity ...................................211
choosing the right fuel ...........196
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................201
detergent in fuel .....................198
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................194, 196, 198
filter, specifications ........198, 211
fuel filler door override ............73
fuel filler door release ..............72
fuel pump shut-off switch .....143gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........198
low fuel warning light ..............13
octane rating ...................197, 214
quality ......................................197
running out of fuel .................198
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................194
Fuses ..................................144±145
G
Garage door opener ....................68
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......11, 196
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................198
Gauges .........................................15
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................136
definition .................................136
driving with a heavy load ......136
location ....................................136
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................136
calculating ...............................136
definition .................................136
driving with a heavy load ......136
location ....................................136
Index
223