2000 Mercury Grand Marquis maintenance

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 6
Controls and features 24
Seating and safety restraints 87
Starting and driving
Starting 113
Driving 118
Roadside emergencies 133
Servicing
Maintenance and care 150
Capacities and specifications 197
Customer assistance 203
Reporting safety defects 214
Index 215
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Copyright 1999 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
Engine coolant temperature (if equipped)
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let it cool.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter. If light
stays on or continues to turn on after the vehicle warms up, have your
vehicle serviced.
This light also illuminates briefly when the ignition key is turned to ON.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to remind you to fasten your safety
belts. For more information, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
AIR
BAG
Instrumentation
10

Brake system warning
²Standard instrument cluster
²Optional instrument cluster
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. Also illuminates if the
parking brake is engaged. If brake
warning lamp does not illuminate at these times, seek service
immediately. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low
brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the light remains on,
continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system is
disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning
light also remains illuminated with the parking brake released.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
!
BRAKE
P!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
11

Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Engine oil pressure (if equipped)
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and
add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off.
Air suspension (if equipped)
²Standard instrument cluster
²Optional instrument cluster
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. Also illuminates when the
air suspension requires repair, the
air suspension switch is OFF or the
load limit is exceeded. For
information on the air suspension system, refer to theDrivingchapter.
AIR
SUSP
CHECK
TRUNK AJAR LTR/100 kmAIR SUSPENSION
OVERDRIVE OFFDOOR
AJAR
LOW
WASHER
FLUID
km
MILES
/GAL
Instrumentation
12

Trip odometer
Registers the kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys. To reset,
depress the control.
Refer toElectronic Message Centerfor Trip A and Trip B features on
the optional instrument cluster.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the
ignition and let it cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
²Standard instrument cluster
0000
2030405060 70
80
90
100
110
120
10
20 406080100120
140
160
180MPHkm/h
000000
TEMPH
C
Instrumentation
18

²Optional instrument cluster
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate. If the gauge enters the red section, the engine
coolant andCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonindicators illuminate,
refer toWhat you should know about fail-safe coolingin the
Maintenance and care chapter.
Battery voltage gauge (if equipped)
This shows the battery voltage when
the ignition is in the ON position. If
the pointer moves and stays outside
the normal operating range (as
indicated), have the vehicle's
electrical system checked as soon as
possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge (if equipped)
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle remains
in the normal range (the area
between the ªHº and ªLº).
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
N
O
R
M
H
C
VOLTSH
L
OILH
L
Instrumentation
19

Add oil if needed (refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified technician.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
The electronic message center only
works when the ignition is in the
ON position.
The message center allows you to:
²see problems such as door ajar,
air suspension, trunk ajar, washer
fluid low
²see how many kilometers/miles
you can drive before running out
of fuel
²see when overdrive has been deactivated
²monitor the average fuel economy
²check the distance traveled during a trip on either Trip A or Trip B
²monitor the average speed
Selectable features
Reset
Press this control to reset the
selected message center function to
zero. The only functions which can
be reset are:
²AVG ECON
²TRIP A or TRIP B
²AVG SPEED
CHECK
TRUNK AJAR LTR/100 kmAIR SUSPENSION
OVERDRIVE OFFDOOR
AJAR
LOW
WASHER
FLUID
DISTANCE
TO EMPTY
TRIP
AAVG FUEL
ECONOMY
TRIP
BAVG
SPEED
km
MILES
/GAL
RESET E/M SELECT
Instrumentation
20

6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning light turning off,
buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.
²This will disable Belt Minder if it is currently enabled, or enable Belt
Minder if it is currently disabled.
7. Confirmation of disabling Belt Minder is provided by flashing the
safety belt warning light four times per second for three seconds.
8. Confirmation of enabling Belt Minder is provided by flashing the safety
belt warning light four times per second for three seconds, followed by
three seconds with the safety belt warning light off, then followed by
flashing the safety belt warning light four times per second for three
seconds again.
9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is
complete.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, wears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder
belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if
equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified
technician finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if
either damage or improper operation is noted.
Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the safety belt
assembly under the above conditions could result in severe
personal injuries in the event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety beltsin the
Maintenance and caresection.
Seating and safety restraints
100