1997 Mercury Grand Marquis engine overheat

18 [IS15905( BCGV)05/96]The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into
the normal band as your engine coolant warms
up. Under normal driving conditions, the pointer
should stay in the normal band. It is acceptable
for the pointer to fluctuate within the normal
band under normal driving conditions, and
under certain driving conditions such as, heavy
stop and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot
weather, for the pointer to indicate at the top of
the normal band.
[IS16005( BCGV)04/96]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the normal band, the engine is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.
% [IS16300( GV)12/95]
one third page art:0010697-C
The engine coolant temperature gauge
*
[IS16400( ALL)03/96]
If your engine overheats:
*
[IS16500( ALL)04/96]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[IS16600( ALL)01/96]
2. Turn off the engine.
*
[IS16700( ALL)03/96]
3. Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE
COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL
THE ENGINE IS COOL.
File:03rcisg.ex
Update:Tue Jun 11 13:54:07 1996

19
*
[IS16800( ALL)03/96]
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, seeEngine Coolantin the
Index. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
*
[IS16900( ALL)03/96]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced.
%*
[IS18100( ALL)03/96]
Speedometer
*
[IS18350( ALL)03/96]
The speedometer tells you how many miles
(kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving.
%*
[IS18900( ALL)03/96]
Odometer
*
[IS19000( ALL)01/96]
The odometer tells you the total number of miles
(kilometers) your vehicle has been driven.
%*
[IS20400( ALL)01/96]
Trip Odometer
*
[IS20500( ALL)04/96]
If you want to track your mileage up to 999.9
miles (kilometers), use the trip odometer. Simply
set the trip odometer to zero by pressing the
reset control firmly when beginning the distance
you wish to measure.
[IS20600( ALL)04/96]
Since the trip odometer displays distance
independent of the odometer it will not always
advance to the next mile (kilometer) at the same
time as the odometer.
[IS21400(M GV)05/96]
Battery Voltage Gauge
[IS21500(M GV)05/96]
This gauge shows you the battery voltage when
the ignition key is in the ON position.
[IS21605( GV)05/96]
If the battery is operating under cold weather
conditions, the pointer may indicate in the upper
range of the normal band while the battery is
charging. If you are running electrical accessories
with the engine off or idling at a low speed, or
the battery is not fully charged, the pointer may
move toward the lower end of the normal band.
File:03rcisg.ex
Update:Tue Jun 11 13:54:07 1996

23 %
*
[IS25111( GV)03/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
% [IS25112( GV)05/96]
one third page art:0010570-B
The engine coolant temperature gauge
[IS25114( GV)05/96]
This gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature not the coolant level. If the coolant
is not at its proper level or mixture, the gauge
indication will not be accurate. It is identified by
a thermometer symbol, an ªHº (hot), and a ªCº
(cold). The ªNORMº indicates the normal
operating range. The bars will move into the
normal operating range as the engine coolant
warms up. It is acceptable under certain driving
conditions such as, heavy stop and go traffic, or
driving up hills in hot weather, for the gauge to
indicate at the top of the NORM band.
[IS25116( GV)05/96]
If, under any circumstance, the pointer moves
above the NORM band, the temperature symbol
flashes and a tone will sound to alert the driver
that the engine coolant is overheating and
continued operation may cause engine damage.
*
[IS25118( GV)03/96]
If your engine overheats:
*
[IS25119( GV)03/96]
1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safely
possible.
*
[IS25120( GV)03/96]
2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the
engine as soon as safely possible, severe
engine damage could result.
File:03rcisg.ex
Update:Tue Jun 11 13:54:07 1996

24
*
[IS25122( GV)03/96]
3. Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE
COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL
THE ENGINE IS COOL.
*
[IS25123( GV)03/96]
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, seeEngine Coolantin the
Index. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
*
[IS25124( GV)03/96]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced.
*
[IS25125( GV)03/96]
If only the top two and bottom two bars appear
on the gauge, then the system is indicating that
it requires servicing. Contact your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
%*
[IS25127( GV)03/96]
Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
*
[IS25128( GV)03/96]
This warning light and chime remind you to
fasten your safety belt. The following conditions
will take place:
*
[IS25129( GV)03/96]
q
If the driver's safety belt is not buckled when
the ignition is turned to the ON position, the
light will turn on for 1 to 2 minutes and the
chime will sound for 4 to 8 seconds.
*
[IS25130( GV)03/96]
q
If the driver's safety belt is buckled while the
light is on or the chime is sounding, both the
light and the chime will turn off.
*
[IS25131( GV)03/96]
q
If the driver's safety belt is buckled before the
ignition is turned to the ON position, neither
the light nor the chime will turn on.
[IS25133( GV)05/96]
one inch art:0010118-A
The safety belt warning light
File:03rcisg.ex
Update:Tue Jun 11 13:54:07 1996

162 [GF04900( BCGV)05/96]In general, this system improves your vehicle's
stability and acceleration performance when road
conditions warrant. Traction Assist
TM
is fully
effective up to approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h). At 25 mph (40 km/h) the function
begins to taper off until it no longer operates
above 34 mph (55 km/h).
[GF05000( BCGV)12/95]
If the Traction Assist
TM
system is cycled
excessively, the system will shut down to
prevent the rear brakes from overheating.
During this shutdown period, the word OFF in
the traction assist switch will be illuminated
showing that the traction assist system is
inoperative. A cooling down period is required
to prevent damage to the rear brakes. This time
period varies and depends on brake usage
during the cooling down period. Anti-Lock
braking is not affected and will function
normally during the cool down period.
[GF05100( BCGV)12/95]
NOTE: Traction-Lok axles are not an available
option on vehicles equipped with
traction assist.
%
*
[GF05200( ALL)01/96]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[GF05300( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
%*
[GF05400( ALL)03/96]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
File:09rcgfg.ex
Update:Thu Sep 19 12:26:42 1996

173
*
[GF25100( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy
traffic or on roads that are winding,
slippery, or unpaved.
[GF25200( GV)12/95]
If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud
or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the
spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward
(2 [Second] gear is the recommended forward
gear) and reverse gears. At the same time, press
lightly on the accelerator.
*
[GF25400( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
[GF25500( ALL)12/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transmission, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[GF25600( ALL)01/96]
High water
*
[GF25700( ALL)01/96]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
*
[GF25800( ALL)01/96]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[GF25900( ALL)01/96]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
File:09rcgfg.ex
Update:Thu Sep 19 12:26:42 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