2008 Mercury Grand Marquis ABS

Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the
brake system should be inspected immediately by your authorized dealer.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your authorized dealer. Driving extended distances with
the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and the risk of
personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when the ignition is
turned to ON, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately by your authorized dealer. A chime will also sound
when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the ON position,
the message center, located on your
instrument cluster, displays
important vehicle information
through a constant monitor of
vehicle systems.You may select
display features on the message
center for a display of status. The
system will also notify you of potential vehicle problems with a display of
system warnings followed by a long indicator chime.
Your display can show up to 3 reconfigurable telltales at one time. What
ever is displayed in the top left corner has the highest priority. Premium
Display Severity Indicator (located under the Message Center): Indicates
severity of the information being displayed on the premium display. Red
for high severity, amber for medium severity, and non-lit for information
only. For example, a door ajar warning would be accompanied by a red
indicator, low fuel by an amber indicator, and fuel economy by an
absence of the indicator. The indicator always illuminates with the
highest severity rating of the warnings displayed.
Selectable features
Select
Press this control to select functions shown in the INFO menu and
SETUP menu.
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
74

Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear.
Do not apply your brakes continuously, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
Under normal operating conditions, brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels. Some brake dust is inevitable as brakes wear and does not
contribute to brake noise. The use of modern friction materials with
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
an authorized dealer.
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.
P!
BRAKE
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
179

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
The ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster momentarily
illuminates when the ignition is
turned on. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up,
remains on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to be serviced.
With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal
braking is still effective unless the
brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake
released. (If your brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately.)
Parking brake with auto-release (if equipped)
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked.
To set the parking brake:
1. Move the gearshift to P (Park).
2. Push pedal downward.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
HOOD
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
180

The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is fully released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the OFF/LOCK position
and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
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 may be equipped with an automatic parking brake 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).
P!
BRAKE
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
181

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.
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.
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 by an authorized dealer, or
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
182

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
1 10A Ignition (START) - Starter relay coil,
DTRS
2 7.5A Power mirrors, Door lock switches,
Mirror switch, Keypad switch, Decklid
switch, Adjustable pedal switch, DDM,
Cluster
3 5A Ignition (START) - Audio mute
4 10A LCM (switch illumination), Autolamp
sensor
5 7.5A Ignition (ON/ACC) - LCM
6 7.5A LCM
7 10A Ignition (ON/ACC) - Wiper module
8 10A Electronic Automatic Temperature
Control (EATC) module (vehicles
equipped with EATC only)
9 7.5A Ignition (ON/ACC) - Door lock switch
illumination, Heated seat switch
illumination, Moon roof, Overhead
console, Radio, Antenna,
Electrochromatic mirror, Window relay
coil
10 15A Hazards
11 15A Ignition (ON) - Turn signals
12 15A Audio
13 10A Ignition (ON) - Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) module, Rear Air Suspension
Module (RASM), Variable Assist Power
Steering (VAPS), Cluster
14 15A Adjustable pedals
15 10A Ignition (ON) - EATC module, A/C mode
switch (vehicles equipped with manual
A/C only), A/C blower relay coil
16 20A Cigar lighter, OBD II
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
196

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
17 10A Ignition (ON) - A/C mode switch
(vehicles equipped with manual A/C),
Blend door, Heated seat modules, BTSI
(Floor-shift transmission)
18 15A Lighting control module (interior
lighting)
19 10A LCM (Left-hand low beam)
20 10A Ignition (ON/START) - Back-up lamps
21 10A LCM (Right-hand low beam)
22 10A Ignition (ON/START) - Restraint Control
Module (RCM), Occupant Classification
Sensor (OCS), Passenger Air bag
Deactivation Indicator (PADI)
23 15A Multi-function switch (Flash-to-pass),
LCM (High beams)
24 10A Ignition (ON/START) - Passive
Anti-Theft System (PATS) module,
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) relay
coil, Fuel relay coil, Ignition coil relay
coil
25 15A LCM (Park lamps, corner lamps, license
lamps)
26 10A Ignition (ON/START) - Cluster, LCM,
Overdrive cancel switch
27 — Not used
28 7.5A Brake signal, LCM (BTSI), ABS
29 — Not used
30 — Not used
31 5A Key in (LCM)
32 — Not used
33 — Not used
Relay 1 Full ISO relay Window relay
2008 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
197