1997 Mercury Grand Marquis steering wheel

157
Driving
%*
[GF00500( ALL)05/96]
Brakes
%*
[GF00600( ALL)01/96]
Applying the Brakes
[GF00700( ALL)12/95]
Braking non ABS models
[GF01100( GV)12/95]
Your vehicle has front and rear disc brakes with
anti-lock (optional). They adjust automatically as
the brake pads wear down.
*
[GF01200( ALL)01/96]
Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
[GF01300( ALL)12/95]
On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
[GF01400( ALL)12/95]
Braking with ABS brakes
[GF01500( ALL)12/95]
On vehicles with anti-lock brakes, the wheels
will not lock and slide when you press down
hard on the brake pedal. The anti-lock brakes
automatically start releasing and reapplying the
front brakes independently and the rear brakes
together whenever your wheels start to lock. Do
not ªpumpº the brake pedal on vehicles
equipped with anti-lock brakes. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulse.
This ªpulseº may be an unfamiliar feeling but it
is normal and indicates the ABS is working as
designed.
File:09rcgfg.ex
Update:Thu Sep 19 12:26:42 1996

163
*
[GF05500( ALL)01/96]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
[GF05590( GV)05/96]
Speed Sensitive Power Steering
*
[GF05700( GV)12/95]
The steering system in your vehicle is speed
sensitive. This means that the steering effort is
light for parking and heavier for highway
driving. However, if you have to swerve around
an object or another vehicle, your steering will
have full power assist.
% [GF05900( GV)12/95]Rear Air Suspension System
(If equipped)
[GF06000( GV)12/95]
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
load leveling rear air suspension system, it will
maintain the rear vehicle height at a constant
level by automatically adding air or releasing air
from the rear air springs to offset changes in
vehicle loads.
[GF06100( GV)12/95]
A shutoff switch is located in the trunk on the
right hand vertical trim panel. If this switch is in
the OFF position, the automatic leveling system
will not operate. The switch should be OFF
whenever jacking up or towing the vehicle. If
you have the mechanical cluster, ªAIR SUSPº
will appear in the cluster, if you have an
electronic cluster, ªCHECK AIR SUSPENSIONº
will appear in the message center when the
ignition switch is in the ON position, and either
the shutoff switch is in the OFF position, or a
system fault has been detected.
*
[GF06200( GV)12/95]
Normal vehicle operation does not require any
action by the driver.
File:09rcgfg.ex
Update:Thu Sep 19 12:26:42 1996

167 %
*
[GF08800( ALL)05/96]
R (Reverse)
*
[GF08900( ALL)05/96]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
*
[GF09000( ALL)01/96]
N (Neutral)
[GF09100( ALL)12/95]
As in P (Park), there is no power transferred
through the transmission. However, the final
drive is not locked so the wheels are free to
rotate. The vehicle may be started in the N
position, but the ignition key cannot be
removed.
%*
[GF09200( ALL)05/96]
Driving
[GF09300( GV)12/95]
Your vehicle's gearshift is on the steering
column. The Transmission Control Switch (TCS)
is located on the end of the gearshift lever. The
Transmission Control Indicator Light (O/D OFF)
is located on the instrument panel. You can put
the gearshift lever in any of the several
positions.
[GF09600( GV)12/95]
The O/D OFF light is off (not illuminated)
during normal vehicle operation. This allows the
transmission to upshift and downshift from 1st
through 4th gears. When the TCS is pressed, the
Transmission Control Indicator Light will
illuminate (O/D OFF) on the instrument panel.
When this O/D OFF is illuminated the
transmission will upshift and downshift from 1st
through 3rd gears.
[GF09800( ALL)12/95]
If the O/D OFF light does not come ªonº when
the TCS is depressed or if the light ªFLASHESº
when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. If this condition
persists, damage could occur to the transmission.
File:09rcgfg.ex
Update:Thu Sep 19 12:26:42 1996

172
%*
[GF23600( ALL)01/96]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[GF23700( ALL)01/96]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[GF23800( ALL)01/96]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[GF23900( ALL)01/96]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
%*
[GF24000( ALL)01/96]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[GF24100( ALL)01/96]
Slippery roads
*
[GF24200( ALL)01/96]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
*
[GF24300( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
*
[GF24400( ALL)01/96]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
*
[GF24500( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not use speed control.
*
[GF24600( ALL)01/96]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
[GF24700( ALL)04/96]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
*
[GF24800( ALL)01/96]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[GF25000( BCGV)01/96]
RWARNING
To avoid skidding and losing control on
slippery roads, do not downshift into 1
(First) when you are moving faster than
20 mph (30 km/h).
File:09rcgfg.ex
Update:Thu Sep 19 12:26:42 1996

187
*
[ER08600( ALL)01/96]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
*
[ER08700( ALL)03/96]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
*
[ER08800( ALL)01/96]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
%
*
[ER09300( ALL)02/96]
Changing a Tire
*
[ER09400( ALL)02/96]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
%*
[ER09500( ALL)02/96]
The Temporary Spare Tire
%*
[ER09600( GV)02/96]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare
tire. This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire
and is designed for emergency use only. Use it
only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with
the words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that
you can easily identify it.
*
[ER09800( ALL)02/96]
NOTE: Extended use of other than
conventional spare tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not
affect normal driving and should not
be noticeable to the driver.
File:10rcerg.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 09:54:58 1996

222
*
[MC17800( ALL)12/95]
q
Start and idle the engine until the radiator
upper hose is warm (this indicates the
thermostat is open and coolant is flowing
through the entire system).
*
[MC17900( ALL)12/95]
q
Immediately shut off the engine and let cool.
Cautiously remove the pressure relief cap and
add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water until the coolant is at the COLD FILL
level in the coolant reservoir.
*
[MC18000( ALL)12/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap securely.
*
[MC18100( ALL)12/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock.
*
[MC18200( ALL)12/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
%
*
[MC18300( ALL)01/96]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[MC18400( ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[MC18500( ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
*
[MC18700( ALL)04/96]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[MC18800( ALL)01/96]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[MC18900( ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the engine off.
File:11rcmcg.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:04:35 1996

312 Index
Specification chart, lubricants....... 255
Speed control, turning off......... 96
Speedometer............. 19,30
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 151
starting a cold engine......... 152
starting after a collision........ 185
starting a warm engine........ 153
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 198
Steering, power............. 162
Steering wheel
horn.................. 94
locking................. 87
tilting................. 95
Storing your vehicle........... 256
Sun visor................ 102
Supplemental air bag readiness light . . 13, 25
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 133
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 244
cleaning............... 249
Temperature control (see Climate control) . . 67
Tilt steering wheel............. 95
Tires.................. 228
changing............... 187
checking the pressure......... 228
cleaning............... 252
inspection and maintenance...... 228
replacing............... 230
rotating............... 229
snow tires and chains......... 233
spare tire............... 189
storing your vehicle.......... 258
tire grades.............. 230
treadwear.............. 231
wear bands.............. 230
File:rcixg.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 14:48:02 1996