2009 Mercury Mariner power steering

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.
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. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
Since your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
2009 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
218

Driving on snow and ice
4WD 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 a 4WD 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, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. Since your
vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
apply the brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakes
section of this chapter for additional information on the operation of the
anti-lock brake system.
4WD vehicles should be driven with traction devices as referred to in
Using snow tires and traction devicesin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter.
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 roll over 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 racks or pickup box
cover).
2009 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
219

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
16 15A Not used (spare)
17 20A All lock motor feeds, Liftgate
release, Liftglass release
18 20A Heated seat
19 25A Rear wiper
20 15A Datalink
21 15A Fog lamps
22 15A Park lamps
23 15A High beam headlamps
24 20A Horn relay
25 10A Demand lamps
26 10A Instrument panel cluster
27 20A Ignition switch
28 5 A Radio
29 5A Instrument panel cluster
30 5A Not used (spare)
31 10A Restraints control module
32 10A Not used (spare)
33 10A Not used (spare)
34 5A Not used (spare)
35 10A Four wheel drive, Electric Power
Steering Module (EPAS) , Park
aid module
36 5A PATS transceiver
37 10A Climate control
38 20A Subwoofer/Amp
(Audiophile radio)
39 20A Radio, Radio Amplifier
(Navigation only)
40 20A Front power point
2009 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
226

If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
A 80A Midi Electronic power steering module
(EPAS)
B 125A Midi SPDJB
1 15A* Heated mirror
2 30A** Rear defroster
3 20A** Rear power point (center console)
4 — Not used
5 10A* Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
Keep Alive power, PCM relay,
Canister vent
6 15A* Alternator
7 15A* Liftgate latch
8 20A* Trailer tow parking lamps
9 50A** Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
10 30A** Front wipers
11 30A** Starter
12 40A** Blower motor
2009 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
228

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The service engine soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with
the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed.
2009 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
282

Child safety seats ......................144
attaching with tether
straps .......................................150
in front seat ............................145
in rear seat ..............................145
LATCH .....................................148
recommendations ...................142
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................153
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............259
instrument panel ....................261
interior .....................................262
plastic parts ............................260
washing ....................................257
waxing .....................................258
wheels ......................................258
wiper blades ............................260
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......36, 39
Clock ............................................18
Compass, electronic ....................57
calibration .................................59
set zone adjustment .................58
Console ........................................59
overhead ....................................57
Controls
power seat ...............................105
steering column ........................67
Coolant
checking and adding ..............277
refill capacities ................281, 300
specifications ..........................300
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................64
Customer Assistance ................221
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................254Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................254
Getting roadside assistance ...221
Getting the service you
need .........................................250
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................255
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................253
D
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................295
engine oil .................................271
Driving under special
conditions ..................212, 215, 218
sand .........................................216
snow and ice ...........................219
through water .................217, 220
E
Electronic message center .........70
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................242
running out of fuel .........242, 287
Emergency Flashers .................222
Emission control system ..........292
Engine ........................................302
cleaning ...................................259
coolant .....................................277
fail-safe cooling .......................281
idle speed control ...................275
lubrication specifications .......300
refill capacities ........................300
service points ..................267–268
starting after a collision .........223
Engine block heater .................196
2009 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
308

J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......242
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...............................86, 88
keypad .......................................96
locking and unlocking doors ....97
programming entry code .........96
Keys .......................................84, 98
positions of the ignition .........193
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................50
fog lamps ...................................44
headlamps .................................43
headlamps, flash to pass ..........45
instrument panel, dimming .....45
interior lamps ...............47–48, 50
replacing bulbs .........................51
LATCH anchors .........................148
Liftgate ..................................79, 92
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........199
Load limits .................................180
Loading instructions .................186
Locks
autolock ...............................86, 88
childproof ..................................90
doors ..........................................86
Lubricant specifications ...........300
Lug nuts ....................................241
Luggage rack ...............................81
Lumbar support, seats .....104–105M
Message center ...........................71
english/metric button ...............74
system check button ................73
warning messages .....................76
Mirrors .........................................63
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................63
fold away ...................................64
heated ........................................64
side view mirrors (power) .......63
Moon roof ....................................69
Motorcraft parts ................263, 299
N
Navigation system .......................35
O
Octane rating ............................286
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................271
Overdrive ...................................209
P
Parking brake ............................200
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....299
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................113
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................227
Power door locks ........................86
Power mirrors .............................63
Power point .................................60
Power steering ..........................207
fluid, refill capacity ................300
2009 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
310

fluid, specifications .................300
Power Windows ...........................61
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................207
R
Radio ............................................18
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................142
Relays ........................................223
Remote entry system ...........90–91
illuminated entry ................93, 95
locking/unlocking doors .....91–92
opening the trunk .....................92
panic alarm ...............................92
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................93
replacing the batteries .............92
Reverse sensing system ...........212
Roadside assistance ..................221
Roof rack .....................................81
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........112, 115, 117–119
Safety Canopy ...........134–135, 137
Safety defects, reporting ..........256
Safety
restraints ...........112, 115, 117–120
Belt-Minder...........................121
extension assembly ................120
for adults .........................117–119
for children .............................140
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................113warning light and
chime ...............................120–121
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................148
Safety seats for children ..........144
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................303
Satellite Radio (if equipped) .....18
Satellite Radio Information ........32
Seats ..........................................101
child safety seats ....................144
heated ......................................106
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ..........................................95
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................97
Servicing your vehicle ..............265
Setting the clock .........................18
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................299, 302
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................300
Speed control ..............................64
Starting your
vehicle ........................193–194, 196
jump starting ..........................242
Steering wheel
controls ......................................67
tilting .........................................56
Stereo
CD-MP3 .....................................18
SYNC..........................................35
2009 Mariner(mrn)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
311