2004 Mercury Grand Marquis Reverse Gear

Fold-away mirrors
Pull the side mirrors in carefully
when driving through a narrow
space, like an automatic car wash.
Automatic dimming inside rear view mirror (if equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with an
inside rear view mirror with an
auto-dimming function. The
electronic day/night mirror will
change from the normal state to the
non-glare state when bright lights
(glare) reach the mirror. When the mirror detects bright light from
behind the vehicle, it will automatically adjust (darken) to minimize
glare.
The mirror will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse)(when the mirror is on) to ensure a
bright clear view when backing up.
Do not block the sensor on the backside of the inside rear view mirror
since this may impair proper mirror performance.
Press the control to turn the mirror OFF or AUTO.
POWER ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDALS (IF EQUIPPED)
The accelerator and brake pedal
should only be adjusted when the
vehicle is stopped and the gearshift
lever is in the P (Park) position.
Press and hold the rocker control to
adjust accelerator and brake pedal.
•Press the right side of the control to adjust the pedals toward you.
•Press the left side of the control to adjust the pedals away from you.
The adjustment allows for approximately 65 mm (2.5 inches) of
maximum travel.
OFF AUTO
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
58

The system automatically turns off after 25 seconds after the UNLOCK
button on the remote transmitter is pressed or when the ignition is
turned to the START or ACC position.
The inside lights will not turn off if:
•they have been turned on with the dimmer control, or
•any door is open.
The battery saver will shut off the interior lamps 30 minutes after the
last door is closed or after 10 minutes if the door is left open.
Autolock (if equipped)
This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when:
•all doors are closed,
•the ignition is in the ON position,
•the brake pedal is depressed,
•you shift into any gear.
Relock
The autolock feature repeats when:
•ignition is in RUN
•a door is opened and closed
•the transmission is placed in reverse (R) or any drive gear, and then
•the brake pedal is depressed and then released
Deactivating/activating the autolock feature
Before following the procedure, make sure that the ignition is OFF and
all vehicle doors are closed.
Automatic door locks can also be turned on/off through the following
procedure:
You must complete steps 1-7 within 30 seconds or the procedure will
have to be repeated. If the procedure needs to be repeated, you must
wait 30 seconds.
1. Turn the ignition key to ON.
2. Press the power door unlock control on the door panel three times.
3. Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF.
4. Press the power door unlock control three times.
5. Turn the ignition back to ON.
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Locks and Security
79

The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Your vehicle has an automatic parking brake release (except for
police/fleet vehicles which have the manual release). To release the
parking brake:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshift from the P (Park) position to one of the forward
gears (the parking brake will not release automatically when you shift
into reverse). The brake pedal must remain pressed while the gearshift is
moved.
If the parking brake fails to release
after completing this procedure, use
the manual parking brake release
lever.
Pull the lever to manually release
the parking brake.
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.
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
130

Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 4–speed automatic transmission
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4–speed automatic
transmission
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
134

With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
column-shift transmission, overdrive
can be deactivated by pressing the
transmission control switch on the
gearshift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
floor-shift transmission, overdrive
can be deactivated by pressing the
transmission control switch on the
gearshift handle.
The transmission control indicator light (TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
•Standard instrument cluster
O/D
OFF
O/D
OFF
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
135

Forced downshifts
•Allowed in
(Overdrive) or Drive.
•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s specified size tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
137