1997 Mercury Grand Marquis auto ste

168
*
[GF09900( BCGV)05/96]
To return the transmission to normal operation
(1st through 4th gear) depress the TCS again.
This switch may be used to cancel overdrive any
time the vehicle is being driven. Each time your
vehicle is started, the overdrive system will
automatically be in the normal overdrive mode
and the light will not be illuminated.
%*
[GF10100( GV)05/96]
When to usej(Overdrive)
*
[GF10300( ALL)12/95]
Overdrive is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transmission. It works the
same way Drive works, automatically upshifting
or downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows.
*
[GF10400( ALL)12/95]
However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth
gear Ðan overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at an appropriate consistent speed for
any length of time. This fourth gear will increase
your fuel economy when you travel at cruising
speeds.
[GF10600( GV)12/95]
When to usej(Overdrive) Ð with
Transmission Control Switch activated
(TCS)
[GF10800( GV)12/95]
Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrain. If the transmission shifts back and forth
between Third and Fourth gears while you are
driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle does
not have adequate power for climbing hills,
press the TCS located on the shift lever.
*
[GF10900( BCGV)12/95]
You can depress the TCS at any speed.
*
[GF11100( ALL)05/96]
When to use 2 (Second)
*
[GF11200( ALL)12/95]
Use 2 (Second) for start-up on slippery roads or
to give you more engine braking to slow your
vehicle on downgrades.
File:09rcgfg.ex
Update:Thu Sep 19 12:26:42 1996

188
*
[ER09900( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
*
[ER10000( ALL)02/96]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
*
[ER10100( ALL)02/96]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
*
[ER10200( ALL)02/96]
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
*
[ER10300( ALL)02/96]
q
tow a trailer.
*
[ER10400( ALL)02/96]
q
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[ER10500( ALL)02/96]
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
*
[ER10600( ALL)02/96]
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
*
[ER10700(MBCG )02/96]
q
drive through an automatic car wash with
this tire. Because the temporary spare tire is
smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces
the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get
caught in the rails and it could be damaged.
File:10rcerg.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 09:54:58 1996

217
%*
[MC11700( ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
%*
[MC11800( ALL)01/96]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[MC11900( ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[MC12100( BCGV)05/96]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
%*
[MC12200( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
*
[MC12300( ALL)02/96]
The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
File:11rcmcg.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:04:35 1996

220
*
[MC14510( ALL)05/96]
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may
harm your engine cooling system. The use of an
improper coolant may void the warranty of your
vehicle's engine cooling system.
*
[MC14605( ALL)05/96]
Recycled engine coolant
*
[MC14705( ALL)05/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford
and Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine
coolant produced by Ford-approved processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce
coolant which meets Ford specification
ESE-M97B44-A, and use of such coolant may
harm engine and cooling system components.
*
[MC14805( ALL)05/96]
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
*
[MC14905( ALL)05/96]
Coolant refill capacity
*
[MC14910( ALL)05/96]
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's
cooling system can hold, refer toRefill capacities
in theCapacities and specificationschapter.
*
[MC14915( ALL)05/96]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if you have to add more than a
quart (liter) of engine coolant per month.
*
[MC15005( ALL)05/96]
Severe winter climate
*
[MC15010( ALL)05/96]
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
-34ÊF [-36ÊC]), it may benecessary to increase
the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that
the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months.
File:11rcmcg.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:04:35 1996

224 [MC20200( GV)12/95]If you must check the power steering fluid when
it is cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the
MIN mark on the reservoir.
%
*
[MC21300( ALL)01/96]
Automatic Transmission Fluid
*
[MC21400( ALL)03/96]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transmission, since
your vehicle does not use up transmission fluid.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the
transmission is not working properly Ð for
instance, the transmission may slip or shift
slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid
leakage Ð the fluid level should be checked.
%*
[MC21500( ALL)01/96]
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid
*
[MC21600( ALL)01/96]
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid
level at normal operating temperature
150ÊF-170ÊF (66ÊC-77ÊC),after approximately 20
miles (30 km) of driving. However, if necessary,
you can check the fluid level without having to
drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal
operating temperature if outside temperatures
are above50ÊF (10ÊC).
[MC21700( ALL)12/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the
engine and, while fully applying the brake
pedal, move the transmission shift selector
through all of the gear ranges allowing sufficient
time for each position to engage.Securely latch
the transmission shift selector in the P (Park)
position, fully set the parking brake and leave
the engine running.
[MC21800( GV)12/95]
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven if
the fluid level is below the bottom
hole on the dipstick.
File:11rcmcg.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:04:35 1996

226 [MC22900( GV)12/95]
one third page art:0010384-EDetail of the automatic transmission dipstick
%*
[MC23200( ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[MC23300( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty, it
may be replaced by a Motorcraft
Low-Maintenance Battery.
*
[MC23400( ALL)01/96]
The Low-Maintenance Battery has removable
vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and
for adding water, if necessary. The electrolyte
level should be checked at least every 24 months
or 24,000 miles (40,000 km) in temperatures up
to 90ÊF (32ÊC) andmore often in temperatures
above90ÊF (32ÊC).Keep the electrolyte level in
each cell up to the level indicator. Do not
overfill.
*
[MC23500( ALL)01/96]
If the level gets low, you can add tap water to
the battery, provided the water isn't hard or
doesn't have a high mineral or alkali content.
However, if possible you should refill the battery
with distilled water. If the battery needs water
quite often, have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
File:11rcmcg.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:04:35 1996

236refuel, your vehicle can be operated on
non-California fuels. However, even though your
engine will perform adequately on other
gasolines, the performance of the emission
control devices and systems may be adversely
affected. Repair of damage caused by using a
fuel that your vehicle was not designed for may
not be covered by your warranty.
[MC31000( ALL)05/96]
Octane recommendation
*
[MC31101( ALL)05/96]
Your vehicle is designed to use regular gasoline
with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as ªregularº in
high altitude areas that are sold with octane
ratings of 86 or even less.
[MC31200( ALL)12/95]
one inch art:0060001-C*
[MC31401( ALL)05/96]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily
under most driving conditions on the
recommended octane fuel, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician to prevent any
engine damage.
%*
[MC31450( ALL)05/96]
Fuel quality
*
[MC31501( ALL)05/96]
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems try a different brand of fuel.
If the condition persists, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
*
[MC31530( ALL)05/96]
The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) issued a gasoline
specification to provide information on high
quality fuels that optimize the performance of
File:11rcmcg.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:04:35 1996

237
your vehicle. We recommend the use of
gasolines that meet the AAMA specification if
they are available.
*
[MC31560( ALL)05/96]
It should not be necessary to add any
aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you
continue to use a high-quality fuel.
*
[MC31600( ALL)04/96]
Clean air
*
[MC31701( ALL)05/96]
Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve
air quality, including reformulated gasolines that
contain oxygenates such as a maximum of 10%
ethanol or 15% MTBE. There should be no more
than 5% methanol with cosolvents and additives
to protect the fuel system.
%*
[MC32000( ALL)01/96]
Safety Information Relating to Automotive
Fuels
*
[MC32100( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury
or death if misused or mishandled.
*
[MC32200( ALL)05/96]
q
Turn vehicle off when refueling.
*
[MC32300( ALL)08/95]
q
Do not smoke when refueling. Fuels are
extremely flammable.
*
[MC32400( ALL)08/95]
q
Do not siphon any fuel by mouth.
*
[MC32500( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Gasoline or gasoline blended with
methanol can cause blindness and
possible death when swallowed. If any
fuel is swallowed, call a physician or
poison control center immediately.
*
[MC32600( ALL)08/95]
q
Avoid breathing vapors while refueling.
*
[MC32700( ALL)08/95]
q
If fuel is splashed on the skin, wash with
soap and water.
File:11rcmcg.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 11:04:35 1996