2003 Mercury Marauder tow

9. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
10. Put flat tire, jack and lug wrench away. When stowing the flat tire, be
sure to tie down the tire by turning the fastener clockwise until snug.
Note:To make sure the road wheel is properly stowed:
²Place the jack bag on the trunk
shelf as shown in the illustration.
Place the road wheel on the shelf
area of the trunk with the valve
stem facing up.
²Use the tie-down fastener from
the bag as shown.
²Reach under and insert the hook
end of the fastener to the shelf
floor.
²Turn the tie-down fastener clockwise to tighten the road wheel.
11. Turn on the air suspension switch (if equipped).
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability; also, the
catalytic converter may become damaged.
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside Emergencies
156

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
Before your vehicle can be towed, the air suspension control in the
luggage compartment must be turned to the OFF position (if equipped).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside Emergencies
162

In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state's warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
²Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
²Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Since this
information is subject to change, please ask your dealer for complete
details about Ford Extended Service Plan coverage options, or visit the
Ford ESP website at www.ford-esp.com.
Customer Assistance
165

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3±A), which is available
from your dealer.
²Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
²Never wash a vehicle that is ªhot to the touchº or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
²Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
²Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
²It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
²Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle's
paintwork and trim over time.
²Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
²Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
²Wash the vehicle first.
²Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
²Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will ªgrayº or stain the parts over time.
Cleaning
173

²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
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:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
Maintenance and Specifications
201

traction control active ..............13
turn signal indicator .................14
Limited-slip axle .......................135
Load limits .................................136
GAWR ......................................136
GVWR ......................................136
trailer towing ..........................136
Locks
autolock .....................................81
childproof ..................................76
doors ..........................................75
Lubricant specifications ...212, 214
Lumbar support, seats ...............88
M
Mirrors .........................................51
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................62
fold away ...................................62
heated ........................................62
side view mirrors (power) .......61
Moon roof ....................................67
Motorcraft parts ................198, 211
O
Octane rating ............................197
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................182
Overdrive .............................71, 133
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................79
Parking brake ............................127
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....211Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................92
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................63
Power adjustable foot pedals .....63
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................148
Power door locks ..................75, 81
Power mirrors .............................61
Power point .................................59
Power steering ..................129±130
fluid, checking and adding ....203
fluid, refill capacity ................211
fluid, specifications .................212
Power Windows ...........................60
R
Radio ............................................19
Radio reception ...........................32
Rear window defroster ...............37
Relays ................................144, 151
Remote entry system ...........77, 79
illuminated entry ......................81
locking/unlocking doors .....75, 78
opening the trunk .....................79
panic alarm ...............................79
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................80
replacing the batteries .............79
Roadside assistance ..................142
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............14, 91, 94, 96±98
Safety defects, reporting ..........172
Index
225

Safety restraints ........91, 94, 96±98
belt minder ...............................99
cleaning the safety belts ........103
extension assembly ................103
for adults .............................96±98
for children .............................111
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................92
warning light and
chime .......................12, 14, 98±99
Safety seats for children ..........114
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............91
Seats ............................................88
child safety seats ....................114
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................84±86
Servicing your vehicle ..............179
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........151
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................211, 214
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................212, 214
Speed control ..............................63
Speedometer ...............................17
Starting your vehicle .......122±123,
125
jump starting ..........................156
Steering
speed sensitive .......................130
Steering wheel
controls ..........................50, 63, 67
tilting .........................................50T
Tachometer .................................18
Tires ...........................151, 207±209
changing ..........................151±152
checking the pressure ............209
replacing ..................................210
rotating ....................................209
snow tires and chains ............210
tire grades ...............................208
treadwear ................................208
Towing .......................................138
recreational towing .................140
trailer towing ..........................138
wrecker ....................................162
Traction control ........................128
active light ................................13
Transmission .............................131
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................204
fluid, refill capacities ..............211
lubricant
specifications ..................212, 214
Trip odometer .............................18
Trunk ...........................................76
remote release ....................73, 79
Turn signal ............................14, 42
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................214
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................216
Vehicle loading ..........................136
Ventilating your vehicle ...........125
Index
226

W
Warning chimes ...........................14
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................182
Water, Driving through .............136
Windows
power .........................................60Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid
.....182
checking and cleaning
..............49
operation
...................................49
replacing wiper blades
.............49
Wrecker towing
.........................162
Index
227