Page 252 of 280

•Theindicator may come on. For more information on the “check
engine” or the “service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning lights
and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more
accurate measurement after 2,000 miles–3,000 miles
(3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
252
Page 254 of 280
![Mercury Grand Marquis 2008 Owners Manuals •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 th Mercury Grand Marquis 2008 Owners Manuals •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 th](/manual-img/33/10910/w960_10910-253.png)
•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 the top gears 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 toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin 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).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
254
Page 275 of 280

Remote entry system ...........88, 92
illuminated entry ......................91
locking/unlocking doors ...........88
opening the trunk .....................89
panic alarm ...............................89
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................90
replacing the batteries .............89
Roadside assistance ..................191
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........114
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................105, 109–114
Safety defects,
reporting ............................221–222
Safety restraints ........105, 109–114
Belt-Minder...........................115
extension assembly ................113
for adults .........................110–113
for children .............................132
lap belt ....................................111
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................107
safety belt maintenance .........114
warning light and chime ........115
Safety seats for children ..........136
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................267
Seats ..........................................100
child safety seats ....................136
front seats ...............................100
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................94, 97
Servicing your vehicle ..............230
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................22
AM/FM stereo ...........................19AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................31
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................26
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................262, 266
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................263
Speed control ..............................65
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......175
Starting your vehicle ........173–175
jump starting ..........................208
Steering
speed sensitive .......................184
Steering wheel
controls ......................................68
tilting .........................................51
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................51
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....158
Tires ...................................143–144
alignment ................................151
care ..........................................147
changing ..................................205
checking the pressure ............147
inflating ...................................145
label .........................................157
replacing ..................................149
rotating ....................................151
safety practices .......................150
sidewall information ...............152
snow tires and chains ............163
spare tire .........................202–203
terminology .............................144
tire grades ...............................144
treadwear ........................143, 148
Towing .......................................169
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
275
Page 276 of 280

recreational towing
.................172
trailer towing
..........................169
wrecker
....................................214
Traction control
........................181
Traction-lok rear axle
...............185
Transmission
.............................185
brake-shift interlock
(BSI)
................................185–186
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)
.............................259
fluid, refill capacities
..............263
lubricant specifications
..........263
Trunk
...........................................87
remote release
....................83, 89
Turn signal
..................................42V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................267
Vehicle loading ..........................163
Ventilating your vehicle ...........176
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................233
Water, Driving through .............190
Windows
power .........................................62
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................50
checking and adding fluid .....233
replacing wiper blades ...........233
Wrecker towing .........................214
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
276