2001 Mercury Grand Marquis Air conditioner

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air circulated
in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
Mode selector control
Controls the direction of the airflow
to the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor can operate in all modes except VENT
and FLR. However, the air conditioning will only function if the outside
temperature is about 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under
the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier
than NORM A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the
vehicle faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This
mode can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
LO
HIOFF
MIX VENTFLOOR
MAX
A/C NORM
A/C
LO
HI
OFF
MIX VENTFLOOR
MAX
A/C NORM
A/C
Controls and features
29

²NORM A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX
A/C but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
²VENT-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel registers.
However, the air will not be cooled below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
²
FLR-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air through the
floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode.
²MIX-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts and
the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities are provided
in this mode. For added customer comfort, when the temperature
control knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full cold
positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly
warmer than the air sent to the windshield defroster ducts. If the
temperature is about 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
²DEF
-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. If the
temperature is about 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Operating tips
²In humid weather conditions, place the climate control system in DEF
before driving. This will reduce fogging on your windshield. Once the
windshield has been cleared, operate the climate control system as
desired.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in cold weather
conditions, don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF or
MAX A/C position.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in warm weather
conditions, don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF
position.
Controls and features
30

²Under normal weather conditions, your vehicle's climate control
system should be left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF
when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº
through the outside air inlet duct.
²Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle's climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during warm
weather conditions, the air conditioner will perform more efficiently in
cooling the vehicle if driven for two or three minutes with the
windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been ªaired outº, operate the climate
control system as desired.
²Do not put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area at the
base of the windshield.
²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Avoid placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These
objects may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in
addition to damaging the climate control system.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel, as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Controls and features
31

The air conditioning compressor can operate in all modes except FLOOR
and VENT. It will also operate only when required when AUTOMATIC
has been selected. However, the air conditioning will only function if the
outside temperature is about 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under
the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. The temperature
display will remain the same and air will be cooled based on the
selected temperature. To exit, press AUTOMATIC or any other
override controls. MAX A/C is noisier than NORM A/C but more
economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle faster. Airflow is
from the instrument panel registers. This mode can also be used to
prevent undesirable odors from entering the vehicle.
²NORM A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. The temperature
display will remain the same and air will be cooled based on the
selected temperature. It is quieter than MAX A/C but not as
economical. Fan speed will remain automatic. Airflow is from the
instrument panel registers.
²VENT-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel registers.
However, the air cannot be cooled below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode.
²FLOOR-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However, the air cannot be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²FLR²DEF-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster
ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities are
provided in this mode. The air will be heated or cooled based on the
temperature selection. For added customer comfort, the air
distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the windshield defroster ducts. If the temperature is about 6ÉC
(43ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the
air to reduce fogging.
²DEF
-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. If the
outside air temperature is about 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher, the air
conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Controls and features
35

²Under normal weather conditions, your vehicle's climate control
system should be left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF
when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº
through the outside air inlet duct.
²Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle's climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during warm
weather conditions, the air conditioner will perform more efficiently in
cooling the vehicle if driven for two or three minutes with the
windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been ªaired outº, operate the climate
control system as desired.
²Don't put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area at the
area at the base of the
windshield.
²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Avoid placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These
objects may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in
addition to damaging the climate control system.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select VENT
2. Set the temperature control to full heat
3. Set the fan speed to HI
4. Direct the outer panel vents towards to side windows
Controls and features
37

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
²do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
Driving
147

²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
Maintenance and care
202