2005 Mercury Grand Marquis tires

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.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of an Traction Control

event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
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.
2005 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
170

2 (Second)
This position allows for second gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use to start-up on slippery roads.
•To return to
(Overdrive), move the gearshift lever into the
(Overdrive) position.
•Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to second gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.
1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
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 between 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-LOKAXLE (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.
2005 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
178

Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You 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.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
2005 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
232

locking/unlocking doors ...........81
opening the trunk .....................82
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................83
Roadside assistance ..................180
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........110
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..............96, 99, 101–103
Safety defects, reporting ..........204
Safety restraints ....96, 99, 101–103
belt minder .............................105
extension assembly ................109
for adults .........................101–103
for children .............................121
lap belt ....................................104
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................97
safety belt maintenance .........110
warning light and chime 104–105
Safety seats for children ..........124
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................245
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................96
Seats ............................................91
child safety seats ....................124
front seats .................................91
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................90
Servicing your vehicle ..............211
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................22
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................31
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................26Spark plugs,
specifications .....................240, 244
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................242, 244
Speed control ..............................63
Starting your vehicle .......163–164,
166
jump starting ..........................190
Steering
speed sensitive .......................172
Steering wheel
controls ......................................66
tilting .........................................50
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................50
Tires ...........................132–133, 137
alignment ................................150
care ..........................................149
changing ..........................137, 139
checking the pressure ............135
inspecting and inflating .........134
label .........................................148
replacing ..................................137
rotating ....................................151
safety practices .......................150
sidewall information ...............143
snow tires and chains ............153
spare tire .........................137–138
terminology .............................133
tire grades ...............................133
treadwear ........................132, 149
Towing .......................................159
recreational towing .................162
trailer towing ..........................159
wrecker ....................................195
Traction control ........................170
Traction-lok rear axle ...............178
2005 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
254