2009 Mercury Milan brakes

•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control™, it may be beneficial
to disengage the Traction Control™ system while attempting to rock the
vehicle.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
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and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside
temperatures, use a low gear or (L) when possible. L (Low) gear
operation will maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the wheel rims (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
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
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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 transmission 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.
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
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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.
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•3.0L V6 Engine
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.
MAX
MIN
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A
Accessory delay ..........................75
AdvanceTrac ..............................206
Air cleaner filter .......300–301, 303
Air conditioning ....................48, 50
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ........141, 150, 153
and child safety seats ............143
description ..............141, 150, 153
disposal ....................................156
driver airbag ............143, 151, 154
indicator light .........150, 152, 155
operation .................143, 151, 154
passenger airbag .....143, 151, 154
side airbag ...............................150
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................220
Ambient mood/lighting ...............59
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................277
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................204–205
Anti-theft system ..............112, 115
arming the system ..................116
disarming a triggered
system .....................................116
triggering .................................117
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................18, 22, 29
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................296
fluid, checking ........................296
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................214–215
fluid, adding ....................297, 300
fluid, checking ................297, 300fluid, refill capacities ..............304
fluid, specification ..................304
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....37
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........304
B
Battery .......................................275
acid, treating emergencies .....275
jumping a disabled battery ....242
maintenance-free ....................275
replacement, specifications ...303
servicing ..................................275
Belt-Minder
.............................136
Booster seats .............................169
Brakes ........................................204
anti-lock ...........................204–205
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............205
fluid, checking and adding ....295
fluid, refill capacities ..............304
fluid, specifications .................304
lubricant specifications ..........304
parking ....................................205
shift interlock ..........................212
Break-in period .............................6
Bulbs ............................................59
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....304
Cassette tape player ...................22
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................236
Child safety seats ......................160
attaching with tether straps ..166
in front seat ............................161
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Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................293
Instrument panel ........................73
cleaning ...................................261
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................56
J
Jack ............................................236
positioning ...............................236
storage .....................................236
Jump-starting your vehicle ......242
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................100
keypad .....................................111
locking and unlocking doors ..112
programming entry code .......111
Keys .....................................97, 114
positions of the ignition .........199
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................54
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................60
daytime running light ...............55
fog lamps ...................................55
headlamps .................................54
headlamps, flash to pass ..........56
instrument panel, dimming .....56
interior lamps ...........................58
replacing bulbs .........................61
LATCH anchors .........................164Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........205
Load limits .................................192
Locks
autolock ...................................100
childproof ................................103
doors ..........................................99
Lubricant specifications ...........304
Lug nuts ....................................241
Lumbar support, seats .............121
M
Manual transmission .................217
fluid capacities ........................304
lubricant specifications ..........304
reverse .....................................218
Message center .....................87–88
english/metric button ...............93
system check button ................92
warning messages .....................94
Mirrors ...................................75–76
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................76
heated ........................................77
side view mirrors (power) .......76
Moon roof ....................................82
Motorcraft parts ........264, 283, 303
N
Navigation system .......................45
O
Octane rating ............................287
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................270
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