Page 130 of 248

The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected
by the collision will be inflated. The air bag was designed to inflate
between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection
provided occupants in side impact collisions.
The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates air bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side air bags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
Several air bag system
components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
If the side air bag has deployed,the air bag will not function
again. The side air bag system (including the seat) must
be inspected and serviced by a qualified technician in
accordance with the vehicle service manual.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
side air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front air bag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
130
Page 149 of 248

Pull the release lever to release the
brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional Traction Control
system. This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of
your vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces.
The system operates by detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system
borrows many of the electronic and mechanical elements already present
in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the rear brakes
in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque reduction is
realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems. This
process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast acting. The
rear wheels “search” for optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlsystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces while you are trying to
accelerate or while your foot is on the accelerator pedal. The system is a
driver aid which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow
and ice covered roads.
During Traction Controloperation you may hear an electric motor type
of sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not
“rev-up” when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
149
Page 165 of 248
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
1 15A Audio, CD changer
2 5A Audio
3 7.5A Mirrors
4 10A Air bags
5 — Not used
6 15A Instrument cluster warning lamps module,
Overdrive control switch, Lighting Control
Module (LCM), A/C clutch
7 10A Driver’s Door Module (DDM), Premium
radio
8 25A Powertrain Control Module (PCM) power
relay, Coil-on plugs, Radio noise capacitor,
Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
9 5A Transmission range sensor
10 10A Rear window defrost, Heated mirrors
27 25
26 2423 21
2219
20
18 16
17 1514 12
131030
32
31
28
29
11
97
8653
41
2
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
165
Page 166 of 248

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
11 5A Traction control indicator relay (ABS
w/traction control only)
12 15A Multi-function switch for turn/hazard
lamps
13 5A Radio
14 10A Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Instrument
Cluster
15 15A Speed control module, LCM, Clock, EATC
blower motor relay, Door lock switch
illumination, Heated seat switch, Moonroof
16 15A Reversing lamps, Shift lock, DRL module,
VAP Steering, Electronic day/night mirror,
Overhead console, Air suspension, Climate
control, Heated seat module, Speed chime
module (GCC only)
17 7.5A Wiper motor
18 — Not used
19 15A Brake lamps
20 — Not used
21 15A LCM for park lamps and interior
illumination, Autolamp/Sunload sensor
22 20A Speed control servo, Multi-function switch
for hazard lamps, Brake on/off switch
23 15A EATC module, Instrument cluster, Clock,
LCM, Interior lamps, Door lock switches
24 10A Left-hand low beam
25 15A Cigar lighter
26 10A Right-hand low beam
27 25A LCM for cornering lamps and high beam
headlamps
28 20A* Power windows, DDM
29 — Not used
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
166
Page 242 of 248

Lubricant specifications ...230–231
Lumbar support, seats .............107
M
Message center ...........................86
reset button ..............................86
select button .............................87
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................76
fold away ...................................76
heated ........................................75
side view mirrors (power) .......75
Moon roof ....................................81
Motorcraft parts ................214, 228
O
Octane rating ............................213
Odometer .....................................20
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................198
Overdrive .............................89, 153
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................96
Parking brake ............................148
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....228
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................111
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................76
Power adjustable foot pedals .....76
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................167
Power door locks ..................92, 98Power mirrors .............................75
Power point .................................73
Power steering ..................150–151
fluid, checking and adding ....219
fluid, refill capacity ................228
fluid, specifications .................230
Power Windows ...........................74
R
Radio ............................................22
Radio reception .....................44–45
Rear window defroster ...............52
Relays ................................163, 170
Remote entry system ...........94, 96
illuminated entry ......................98
locking/unlocking doors ...........95
opening the trunk .....................96
panic alarm ...............................96
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................97
replacing the batteries .............96
Roadside assistance ..................161
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........123
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............16, 109, 113–117
Safety defects, reporting ..........189
Safety restraints ........109, 113–117
belt minder .............................119
extension assembly ................123
for adults .........................114–116
for children .............................131
lap belt ....................................117
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................111
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
242