2003 Mercury Grand Marquis traction control

Seating and Safety Restraints 105
Seating 105
Safety restraints 109
Air bags 124
Child restraints 131
Driving 142
Starting 142
Brakes 146
Traction control 149
Air suspension 151
Transmission operation 151
Vehicle loading 156
Trailer towing 157
Roadside Emergencies 161
Getting roadside assistance 161
Hazard flasher switch 162
Fuel pump shut-off switch 162
Fuses and relays 163
Changing tires 170
Jump starting 175
Wrecker towing 180
Customer Assistance 181
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 189
Cleaning 190
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Table of Contents
2

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Traction ControlAdvanceTrac

Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
8

Safety belt
Illuminates to remind you to fasten
your safety belts. For more
information, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Air bag readiness
Illuminates to confirm that the air
bags (front or side) are operational.
If the light fails to illuminate,
continues to flash or remains on,
have the system serviced immediately.
Charging system
Illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly.
Engine oil pressure (if equipped)
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Check
the oil level and add oil if needed.
Refer toEngine oilin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter.
Traction ControlAdvancTrac active (if equipped)
Illuminates when the Traction
Control
system is active. It will be
lit for a minimum of four seconds or
for the duration of the Traction
Control
event.
For more information, refer to the
Drivingchapter.
AIR
BAG
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13

A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.
The most important thing you can do to prevent a crash is to
avoid distractions and pay attention to the road. Wait until it is safe to
operate Mobile Communications Equipment.
CENTER CONSOLE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features. These
include:
•Utility compartment
•Power point (inside storage bin)
•Cupholders
•Air vents to the rear seating positions (heat only)
POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
Position the driver floor mat so that
the eyelet is over the pointed end of
the retention post and rotate
forward to lock in. Make sure that
the mat does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator or the
brake pedal. To remove the floor
mat, reverse the installation
procedure.
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
91

emphasis on improved performance and environmental considerations
can lead to more dust than in the past. Brake dust can be cleaned by
weekly washing with soapy water and a soft sponge. Heavier deposits can
be removed with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A).
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
This vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). A noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle’s
anti-lock brake system. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be inspected by a
qualified service technician.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
Using ABS
•In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the four-wheel
ABS is required, apply continuous force on the brake. The four wheel
ABS will be activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain steering
control of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will
enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled
stop.
•The anti-lock system does not reduce stopping distance. Always leave
enough room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to
stop.
•We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking
technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
TheABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced.
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
147

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 Control
portion 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 Control
system 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 Control
operation 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

If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction
Control
system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the
vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
The traction control indicator
flashes during a Traction Control

system event.
If the traction control indicator
comes on and stays lit, either:
•the Traction Control
system
requires service, or
•the customer has disabled the system using the traction control switch
located on the left side of the instrument panel.
The Traction Control
system will be on every time you turn the ignition
key from OFF to ON until you deactivate the system using the traction
control switch on the instrument panel left of the steering column.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to decrease the driver’s effort in steering the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the MIN mark on the reservoir.
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.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•Uneven vehicle loading
•High crown in center of road
•High crosswinds
•Wheels out of alignment
•Loose or worn suspension components
2003 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
150

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