2008 Mercury Milan brakes

Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the engine or transmission is submerged in water, their fluids should
be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the engine or
transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
2008 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Driving
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Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have
to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore apply the brakes steadily. Do
not “pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
Note:Excessive tire slippage can cause transaxle damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since
your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
2008 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
209

Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-highway usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2008 Milan(mln)
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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.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the
MIN/MAX or upper and lower lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this
range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN/MAX or upper and
lower lines. Be sure to put the cap back on the reservoir. Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter for
the proper fluid type.
BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID
Brake and clutch systems are supplied from the same reservoir.
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
TRANSAXLE FLUID
Checking 5–speed automatic transaxle fluid (If equipped)
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume
fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not
working properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
MAX
MIN
2008 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
278

A
Accessory delay ..........................73
Air cleaner filter ...............283–285
Air conditioning ....................46, 48
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................134, 143, 146
and child safety seats ............136
description ..............134, 143, 146
disposal ....................................149
driver airbag ............136, 144, 147
indicator light .........143, 145, 148
operation .................136, 144, 147
passenger airbag .....136, 144, 147
side airbag ...............................143
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................205
Ambient mood/lighting ...............57
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................260
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................192–193
Anti-theft system ..............108, 111
arming the system ..................111
disarming a triggered
system .....................................112
triggering .................................112
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................16, 20, 27
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................278
fluid, checking ........................278
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................198–199
fluid, adding ....................280, 283
fluid, checking ................280, 283
fluid, refill capacities ..............287fluid, specification ..................287
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....35
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........287
B
Battery .......................................258
acid, treating emergencies .....258
jumping a disabled battery ....226
maintenance-free ....................258
replacement, specifications ...285
servicing ..................................258
Belt-Minder.............................129
Booster seats .............................150
Brakes ........................................192
anti-lock ...........................192–193
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................193
fluid, checking and adding ....278
fluid, refill capacities ..............287
fluid, specifications .................287
lubricant specifications ..........287
parking ....................................193
shift interlock ..........................196
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................57
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....287
Cassette tape player ...................20
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................220
Child safety restraints ..............150
child safety belts ....................150
Child safety seats ......................153
attaching with tether straps ..157
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
295

cleaning ...................................244
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................54
J
Jack ............................................220
positioning ...............................220
storage .....................................220
Jump-starting your vehicle ......226
K
Keyless entry system ...............106
autolock .....................................95
keypad .....................................106
locking and unlocking doors ..107
programming entry code .......106
Keys .....................................92, 109
positions of the ignition .........187
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................52
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................57
daytime running light ...............53
fog lamps ...................................53
headlamps .................................52
headlamps, flash to pass ..........54
instrument panel, dimming .....54
interior lamps ...........................56
replacing bulbs .........................58
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................56
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........193
Load limits .................................180Locks
autolock .....................................95
childproof ..................................99
doors ..........................................94
Lubricant specifications ...........287
Lug nuts ....................................225
Lumbar support, seats .............114
M
Manual transmission .................201
fluid capacities ........................287
lubricant specifications ..........287
reverse .....................................202
Message center ...........................82
english/metric button ...............87
system check button ................86
warning messages .....................88
Mirrors ...................................74–75
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................74
heated ........................................75
side view mirrors (power) .......75
Moon roof ....................................80
Motorcraft parts ........246, 266, 285
N
Navigation system .......................43
O
Octane rating ............................270
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................253
P
Parking brake ............................193
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....285
2008 Milan(mln)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
298