2008 Mercury Grand Marquis tires

Seating and Safety Restraints 100
Seating 100
Safety restraints 105
Airbags 120
Child restraints 132
Tires, Wheels and Loading 143
Tire information 143
Tire inflation 145
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 158
Vehicle loading 163
Trailer towing 169
Recreational towing 172
Driving 173
Starting 173
Brakes 178
Traction Control™ 181
Air suspension 184
Transmission operation 185
Roadside Emergencies 191
Getting roadside assistance 191
Hazard flasher switch 192
Fuel pump shut-off switch 193
Fuses and relays 194
Changing tires 201
Lug nut torque 207
Jump starting 208
Wrecker towing 214
Customer Assistance 215
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 221
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 222
Cleaning 223
Table of Contents
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2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
5

Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Check the oil level
and add oil if needed. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Engine coolant temperature (if
equipped):Illuminates when the
engine coolant temperature is high.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let cool.
Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Traction control™ AdvanceTrac
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,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
Severity indicator (if equipped):
Displays the indicated severity color
when any of the following warning
conditions has occurred:
•Red: Low Oil Pressure, Charge
System, Engine Coolant Over Temperature, Door Ajar
•Amber: Low Fuel
Refer toMessage Centerin theDriver Controlschapter.
Low tire pressure warning (if
equipped):Illuminates when your
tire pressure is low. If the light
remains ON at start up or while
driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. When the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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illuminate for 3 seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does
not turn ON, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For
more information on this system, refer toTire Pressure Monitoring
Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Air suspension (if equipped):
Illuminates when the air suspension
is turned OFF, the load limit is
exceeded or the air suspension
system requires servicing.
Low fuel (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is at or near empty
(refer toFuel gaugein this chapter
for more information).
O/D off:Illuminates when the
overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned OFF,
refer to theDrivingchapter. If the
light does not illuminate, have the transmission serviced soon, or damage
may occur.
Speed control (if equipped):
Illuminates when the speed control
is activated. Turns off when the
speed control system is deactivated.
Door ajar (if equipped):
Illuminates when one of the doors is
not completely shut and the ignition
is turned to ON. With the ignition in
RUN position, a tone will sound for one second (if a door is open).
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
O/D
OFF
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
14

CHECK AIR SUSPENSION.Displayed when the air suspension system
is not operating properly. If this message is displayed while driving, pull
off the road as soon as safely possible. For more information, refer toAir
suspensionin theDrivingchapter.
LOW FUEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel condition.
Warning message can be reset by pressing the RESET button, but will
return after 10 minutes. If any other button is pressed besides RESET,
the message ’’PRESS RESET TO CLEAR’’ will appear in the Message
Center. Once this message disappears (after approximately 2 seconds),
press RESET to clear the warning.
TRUNK AJAR.Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
OVERDRIVE ON/OFF.Displayed when the overdrive is enabled or
disabled.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use (Note: this includes
the use of the optional full-sized matching spare tire and wheel). For
more information on how the system operates under these conditions,
refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
CHECK COMPASS MODULE.Displayed when the compass is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW WASHER FLUID.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer toWindshield
washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL.Displayed when the engine oil life remaining is
5 percent or less. When oil life left is between 5% and 0%, the CHANGE
OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil life left reaches 0%, the
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
81

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you
the following information about tire grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 139. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service, but they
must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
•Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
•Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of
each tire providing information about the tire brand and
manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manufacture. Also referred
to as DOT code.
•Inflation pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
•Standard load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing
the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tire’s
load carrying capability.
•Extra load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
heavier maximum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires].
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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Increasing the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase
the tire’s load carrying capability.
•kPa:Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
•PSI:Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
•Cold inflation pressure:The tire pressure when the vehicle has
been stationary and out of direct sunlight for an hour or more and
prior to the vehicle being driven for 1 mile (1.6 km).
•Recommended inflation pressure:The cold inflation pressure found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label located on
the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door.
•B-pillar:The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the
front door.
•Bead area of the tire:Area of the tire next to the rim.
•Sidewall of the tire:Area between the bead area and the tread.
•Tread area of the tire:Area of the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when mounted on the vehicle.
•Rim:The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated.
INFLATING YOUR TIRES
Safe operation of your vehicle requires that your tires are properly
inflated. Remember that a tire can lose up to half of its air pressure
without appearing flat.
Every day before you drive, check your tires. If one looks lower than the
others, use a tire gauge to check pressure of all tires and adjust if
required.
At least once a month and before long trips, inspect each tire and check
the tire pressure with a tire gauge (including spare, if equipped). Inflate
all tires to the inflation pressure recommended by Ford Motor Company.
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare
(if equipped), at least monthly and before long trips. You are strongly
urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station
gauges may be inaccurate. Ford recommends the use of a digital or
dial-type tire pressure gauge rather than a stick-type tire pressure gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear. Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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