If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine’s idle revolutions per minute
(RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs higher than normal in
order to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure vehicle accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
2008 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
182
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.
Utility vehicles and trucks have 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 vehicles
and trucks handle differently than vehicles with a lower center
of gravity. Utility vehicles and trucks arenotdesigned 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 or 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. Do not overload your vehicle
and use extra precautions, such as driving at slower speeds, avoiding
abrupt steering changes and allowing for increased stopping distance,
when driving a heavily loaded vehicle. Over-loading or loading the
vehicle improperly can deteriorate handling capability and contribute
to loss of vehicle control and vehicle rollover.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the RUN position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the RUN position and the brake pedal depressed, it is possible that a
fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not operating properly.
Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
2008 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
194
3. Connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal of the
assisting battery.
4. Make the final connection of the negative (-) cable to an exposed
metal part of the stalled vehicle’s engine, away from the battery and the
carburetor/fuel injection system.Do notuse fuel lines, engine rocker
covers or the intake manifold asgroundingpoints.
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may cause an
explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of
both engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
+–+–
+–+–
2008 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
231
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 and
dollies or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor
Company has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
On FWD vehicles, if your vehicle is to be towed from the front, ensure
proper wheel lift equipment is used to raise the front wheels off the
ground. The rear wheels can be left on the ground when towed in this
fashion.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment, it
isrequiredthat the front wheels (drive wheels) be placed on a dolly to
prevent damage to the automatic transaxle.
On 4WD vehicles, it isrequiredthat your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground to
prevent damage to the automatic transaxle, 4WD system or vehicle.
2008 Mariner(mrn)
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USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
234
3. Apply more Motorcraft cleaner to a clean, white, cotton cloth and
press the cloth onto the soiled area–allow this to set at room
temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Remove the soaked cloth, and if it is not soiled badly, use this cloth to
clean the area by using a rubbing motion for 60 seconds.
5. Following this, wipe area dry with a clean, white, cotton cloth.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14). In Canada, use
Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Cleaner (CXC-101).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
On vehicles equipped with seat-mounted airbags, do not use
chemical solvents or strong detergents. Such products could
contaminate the side-airbag system and affect performance of the side
airbag in a collision.
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the
leather.
•To clean, use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl
Cleaner (ZC-11-A). In Canada, use Motorcraft Vinyl Cleaner (CXC-93).
Dry the area with a soft cloth.
2008 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Cleaning
249
ENGINE DATA
Engine 2.3L I4 engine 3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 140 183
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Spark plug gap 0.049–0.053 inch
(1.25–1.35mm)0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42mm)
Compression ratio 9.7:1 10.0:1
Engine drivebelt routing
•2.3L I4 Engine with A/C—Without A/C similar
•3.0L V6 Engine
2008 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
288
A
Accessory delay ..........................58
AdvanceTrac ..............................189
Air cleaner filter ...............283, 285
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ..........................37
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................34
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ........118, 127, 130
and child safety seats ............120
description ..............118, 127, 130
disposal ....................................133
driver airbag ............120, 128, 131
indicator light .........127, 129, 132
operation .................120, 128, 131
passenger airbag .....120, 128, 131
side airbag ...............................127
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................201
Ambulance packages ....................8
AM/FM .........................................19
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................264
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................187
Anti-theft system ........................91
Audio system (see Radio) .........19
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................281
fluid, checking ........................281
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................196
fluid, refill capacities ..............286
fluid, specification ..................286Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....27
Auxiliary power point .................56
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........286
refill capacities ........................286
B
Battery .......................................262
acid, treating emergencies .....262
jumping a disabled battery ....229
maintenance-free ....................262
replacement, specifications ...285
servicing ..................................262
Belt-Minder.............................113
Booster seats .............................134
Brakes ................................186–187
anti-lock ...................................187
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............187
fluid, checking and adding ....281
fluid, refill capacities ..............286
fluid, specifications .................286
lubricant specifications ..........286
parking ....................................188
shift interlock ..........................194
Bulbs ............................................47
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....286
Cargo area shade ........................74
Cargo management system ........75
CD ................................................19
Cell phone use ..............................8
Child safety restraints ..............134
child safety belts ....................134
Child safety seats ......................137
2008 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
293
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................194
R
Radio ............................................19
Relays ........................................211
Remote entry system ...........84–85
illuminated entry ................88–89
locking/unlocking doors .....85–86
opening the trunk .....................86
panic alarm ...............................86
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................87
replacing the batteries .............86
Reverse sensing system ...........199
Roadside assistance ..................208
Roof rack .....................................75
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........112
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ......104, 108–111
Safety Canopy ...........127–128, 130
Safety defects,
reporting ............................242–243
Safety restraints ........104, 108–112
Belt-Minder...........................113
extension assembly ................112
for adults .........................109–111
for children .....................133–134
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................106
safety belt maintenance .........112
warning light and chime ........113
Safety seats for children ..........137Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................289
Satellite Radio (if equipped) .....19
Satellite Radio Information ........31
Seats ............................................95
child safety seats ....................137
heated ........................................99
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................91
Servicing your vehicle ..............252
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................285, 288
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................286
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your
vehicle ........................181–182, 184
jump starting ..........................229
Steering wheel
controls ......................................64
tilting .........................................53
Stereo
CD-MP3 .....................................19
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....163
Tires ...................................148–149
alignment ................................156
care ..........................................152
2008 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
297