Mercury Grand Marquis 1997 Owner's Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction ....................................................1

Instrumentation .............................................. 7

Electronic Sound Systems ......................... 45

Controls and Features ................................ 67

Seating and Safety Restraints ................ 119

Starting ......................................................... 151

Driving ......................................................... 157

Roadside Emergencies .............................. 175

Maintenance and Care ............................. 205

Capacities and Specifications ................. 253

Reporting Safety Defects

(U.S. Only) .................................................. 259

Customer Assistance ................................. 261

Accessories .................................................. 273

Quick Index ................................................ 285

Index ............................................................. 295

Service Station Information .................... 316

Introduction

At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication to learning what you want, determination to develop the right concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard by which others are judged.

Our Guiding Principles

Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the

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quality of our products and services must be our number one priority.

You are the focus of everything we do. Our

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work must be done with you in mind, providing better products and services than our competition.

Continuous improvement is essential to our

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success. We must strive for excellence in everything we do: in our products — in their safety and value — and in our services, our human relations, our competitiveness, and our profitability.

Employee involvement is our way of life.

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We are a team. We must treat one another with trust and respect.

Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We

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must maintain mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our other business associates.

Integrity is never compromised. Our conduct

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worldwide must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible and commands respect for its integrity and for its positive contributions to society.

This Guide

Congratulations on the purchase of your new vehicle. This guide has information about the equipment and the options for your new vehicle. You may not have bought all of the options available to you. If you do not know which information applies to your vehicle, talk to your dealer.

This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for equipment that was in effect when this guide was approved for printing. Ford may discontinue models or change specifications or design without any notice and without incurring obligation.

NOTES and WARNINGS

NOTES give you additional information about

the subject matter you are referencing. WARNINGS remind you to be especially careful

in those areas where carelessness can cause damage to your vehicle or personal injury to yourself, your passengers or other people. Please read all WARNINGS carefully.

RWARNING

Finding Information in This Guide

After you have read this guide once, you will probably return to it when you have a specific question or need additional information. To help you find specific information quickly, you can use the Quick Index or the Index.

The Quick Index at the end of the book provides a page number following each item which indicates where detailed information can be found.

To use the Index, turn to the back of the book and search in the alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think of other related words and look them up. We have designed the Index so that you can find information under a technical term.

Canadian Owners — French Version

French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.

Record Booklet

The Maintenance Schedule booklet lists the services that are most important for keeping your vehicle in good condition. A record log is also provided to help you keep track of all services performed.

Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended

Warranties on certain parts, and Emissions Warranties.

Read your Warranty Information Booklet carefully to find out about your vehicle’s warranties and your basic rights and responsibilities.

If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, you can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page of this Owner’s Guide.

Ford Extended Service Plan

More Protection for Your Vehicle

You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only extended service program with the Ford name on it and the only service contract backed by Ford Motor Company.

Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and administered by Ford. It provides:

protection against repair costs after your

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Bumper to Bumper Warranty expires;

and

other benefits during the warranty period

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(such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance and wear items).

You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford Motor Company dealer. There are several Ford ESP plans available in various time-and-mileage combinations. Each plan can be tailored to fit your own driving needs, including reimbursement benefits for towing and rental. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for details.)

When you buy Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind protection throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor Company dealers.

NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United

States and Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.

This information is subject to change. Ask your dealer for complete details about Ford ESP coverage.

Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or break-in period during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in period, you need to pay careful attention to how you drive your vehicle.

Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle

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has new brake linings, you should take these steps:

— Watch traffic carefully so that you can

anticipate when to stop. — Begin braking well in advance. — Apply the brakes gradually.

The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.

Use only the type of engine oil that Ford

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recommends. See Engine oil recommendations in the Index. Do not use special “break-in” oils.

Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic Powertrain Control Module that limits engine and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to promote durability.

Grand Marquis instrument panel

Instrumentation

The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is divided into several different sections. The illustrations on the following pages show the major parts of the instrument panel that are described in this chapter. Some items shown may not be on all vehicles.

Your vehicle is equipped with one of the following clusters:

a mechanical cluster

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an electronic cluster

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The mechanical cluster

The following warning lights and gauges are on the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights and gauges alert you to possible problems with your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are optional. The following sections detail what each of these indicators means.

Brake System Warning Light

The warning light for the brakes can show two things — that the parking brake is not fully released, or that the brake fluid level is low in the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is low, the brake system should be checked by a qualified service technician.

The brake system warning light

This light comes on when the parking brake is set, or if it is not set, it comes on briefly when you turn the ignition key to START. It normally goes off shortly after the engine starts and you release the parking brake. If the light stays on after you have fully released the parking brake, have the hydraulic brake system serviced.

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The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.

Anti-Lock Brake System Light (If equipped)

This warning light will go on each time you start your vehicle. If it remains on for longer than five seconds, you should shut off your engine and restart. If the anti-lock brake light stays on, this indicates that the anti-lock feature is disabled and should receive immediate attention by a qualified service technician. Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is also lit.

The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As previously described, the system turns on the anti-lock light each time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the anti-lock light is out, the system performs another test the first time the vehicle reaches 14 mph (22 km/h). The system turns on the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) pump motor for approximately 1/2 second. At this time a mechanical noise may be heard. This is a normal part of the self-check feature. If a malfunction is found during this check the anti-lock light will come on.

The anti-lock brake system light

RWARNING

If the anti-lock brake system warning light remains on or comes on while driving, have the braking system checked by a qualified service technician as soon as possible.

NOTE: If a fault occurs in the anti-lock

system, and the brake warning light is not lit, the anti-lock system is disabled but normal brake function remains operational.

Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime

This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety belt. The following conditions will take place:

If the driver’s safety belt is not buckled when

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the ignition is turned to the ON position, the light will turn on for 1 to 2 minutes and the chime will sound for 4 to 8 seconds.

If the driver’s safety belt is buckled while the

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light is on or the chime is sounding, both the light and the chime will turn off.

If the driver’s safety belt is buckled before the

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ignition is turned to the ON position, neither the light nor the chime will turn on.

The safety belt warning light

Air Bag Readiness Light

The air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. The readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance of the air bag system is not required.

If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash, remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.

The air bag readiness light

Charging System Light

This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and that you need to have the electrical system checked.

The charging system light

This light illuminates every time you turn the ignition to the ON or START position (engine off). The light should go off when the engine starts and the alternator begins to charge.

If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine is running, have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.

Overdrive Off Indicator

The overdrive off indicator light

This light tells you that the Transmission Control Switch (TCS) has been pushed. When the light is on, the transmission will not shift into overdrive. Depressing the button will return the vehicle to “overdrive on” mode. The transmission will be in the “overdrive on” mode when the vehicle is started even if the O/D OFF mode was selected when the vehicle was last shut off.

NOTE: If the light does not come on when the

TCS is depressed or if the light flashes when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced at the first opportunity. If this condition persists, damage could occur to the transmission.

High Beam Light

This light illuminates when the headlamps are turned to high beam or when you flash the lights.

The high beam light

Low Fuel Alert Light

This light comes on when your fuel gauge indicates between 1/8 and 1/16 of a tank. Your car must be turned to ON for this light to come on.

The low fuel alert light

Air Suspension Light (If equipped)

This light tells you if the air suspension needs repair or if the air suspension switch (in the trunk on the right side) is OFF.

The air suspension light

Normally, the light will glow momentarily as you turn the ignition key to the ON position. If it glows continuously:

1. Safely pull off the road as soon as possible. Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF and ON again.

2. If the light still glows, check to see if the air suspension switch is OFF. If it is OFF, push the switch ON. If it is ON, push the switch OFF and have the system checked as soon as possible.

Check Engine Warning Light

This light illuminates when the engine’s Emission Control System requires service. It will also illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON position and the engine is off.

The check engine warning light

Turn Signal Indicator Lights

The turn signal arrow will flash to indicate the direction in which you are going to be turning.

The turn signal indicator light

Fuel Gauge

The fuel gauge

The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel is in the fuel tank only when the ignition switch is ON. For proper fuel gauge indication after adding fuel, turn the ignition switch OFF while refueling the vehicle.

The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion. The most accurate reading is obtained with the vehicle on level ground.

With ignition switch OFF, the fuel gauge indicator may drift from the ignition switch ON position.

When you turn the ignition key to the ON or ACC position, all the display segments will light up, then go off for a second indicating the gauge is working. Then the gauge will show you how much fuel you have in the tank.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate.

The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into the normal band as your engine coolant warms up. Under normal driving conditions, the pointer should stay in the normal band. It is acceptable for the pointer to fluctuate within the normal band under normal driving conditions, and under certain driving conditions such as, heavy stop and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot weather, for the pointer to indicate at the top of the normal band.

If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves above the normal band, the engine is overheating and continued operation may cause engine damage.

The engine coolant temperature gauge

If your engine overheats:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.

2. Turn off the engine.

3. Let the engine cool. DO NOT REMOVE

COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COOL.

4. Check the coolant level following the instructions on checking and adding coolant to your engine, see Engine Coolant in the Index. If you do not follow these instructions, you or others could be injured.

If the coolant continues to overheat, have the coolant system serviced.

Speedometer

The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving.

Odometer

The odometer tells you the total number of miles (kilometers) your vehicle has been driven.

Trip Odometer

If you want to track your mileage up to 999.9 miles (kilometers), use the trip odometer. Simply set the trip odometer to zero by pressing the reset control firmly when beginning the distance you wish to measure.

Since the trip odometer displays distance independent of the odometer it will not always advance to the next mile (kilometer) at the same time as the odometer.

Battery Voltage Gauge

This gauge shows you the battery voltage when the ignition key is in the ON position.

If the battery is operating under cold weather conditions, the pointer may indicate in the upper range of the normal band while the battery is charging. If you are running electrical accessories with the engine off or idling at a low speed, or the battery is not fully charged, the pointer may move toward the lower end of the normal band.

If it stays outside the normal band, have your vehicle’s electrical system checked as soon as it is safely possible.

The battery voltage gauge

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge

This gauge indicates the engine oil pressure, not the oil level. However, if your engine’s oil level is low, it could affect the oil pressure. With the engine running, the pointer should move into the normal band. If the pointer drops below the normal band while the engine is running, you have lost oil pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine damage.

If you lose engine oil pressure:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.

2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe engine damage could result.

3. Check the engine’s oil level, following the instructions on checking and adding engine oil, see the Engine Oil in the Index. If you do not follow these instructions, you or others could be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your car should be on level ground.

4. If the level is low, add oil as necessary before you start the engine again. Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the pointer in the oil pressure gauge is below the normal band, regardless of the oil level. Contact your nearest dealer for further service actions.

For more information about adding oil, see Engine Oil Recommendations in the Index.

The electronic cluster works only when your ignition is in the ON position. Each time you start your vehicle, the displays go through a self-test by flashing on and off once before the actual readings are displayed. (Neither the turn signals nor the high beam indicator light will flash like the other indicators do for the self-test.) Some of the warning lights will flash on and remain on (will not immediately flash off) until the normal cluster display is lit. This self-test is used to indicate that all of the warning/indicator lights are working properly.

Your electronic cluster tells you about the condition of your vehicle by using two types of equipment:

warning lights and gauges

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message center

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Electronic cluster

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

The engine coolant temperature gauge

This gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate. It is identified by a thermometer symbol, an “H” (hot), and a “C” (cold). The “NORM” indicates the normal operating range. The bars will move into the normal operating range as the engine coolant warms up. It is acceptable under certain driving conditions such as, heavy stop and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot weather, for the gauge to indicate at the top of the NORM band.

If, under any circumstance, the pointer moves above the NORM band, the temperature symbol flashes and a tone will sound to alert the driver that the engine coolant is overheating and continued operation may cause engine damage.

If your engine overheats:

1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safely possible.

2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the engine as soon as safely possible, severe engine damage could result.

3. Let the engine cool. DO NOT REMOVE COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COOL.

If the coolant continues to overheat, have the coolant system serviced.

If only the top two and bottom two bars appear on the gauge, then the system is indicating that it requires servicing. Contact your dealer for service as soon as possible.

Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime

This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety belt. The following conditions will take place:

If the driver’s safety belt is not buckled when

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the ignition is turned to the ON position, the light will turn on for 1 to 2 minutes and the chime will sound for 4 to 8 seconds.

If the driver’s safety belt is buckled while the

❑

light is on or the chime is sounding, both the light and the chime will turn off.

If the driver’s safety belt is buckled before the

❑

ignition is turned to the ON position, neither the light nor the chime will turn on.

The safety belt warning light

High Beam Light

This light illuminates when the headlamps are turned to high beam or when you flash the lights.

The high beam light

Check Engine Warning Light

This light illuminates when the engine’s Emission Control System requires service. It will also illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON position and the engine is off.

The check engine warning light

Air Bag Readiness Light

If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash, remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.

The air bag readiness light

Charging System Warning Light

This light comes on when you turn your ignition key from OFF to ON. The light should go out when the engine starts and the alternator begins to charge.

If this light stays on or comes on while your engine is running, this tells you that your battery is not being charged and that you need to have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.

The charging system warning light

Engine Oil Pressure Light

The engine oil pressure light

This light indicates the engine oil pressure, not the oil level. However, if your engine’s oil level is low, it could affect the oil pressure. The light should come on every time your ignition key is turned to ON or START, and should go out when the engine starts. If the light stays on or turns on while the engine is running, you have lost oil pressure and continued operation will

cause severe engine damage.

If you lose engine oil pressure:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.

2. Shut off the engine immediately. If you do not stop the engine as soon as safely possible, severe engine damage could result.

3. Check the engine’s oil level, following the instructions on checking and adding engine oil, see Engine Oil in the Index. If you do not follow these instructions, you or others could be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your vehicle should be on level ground.

4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as necessary before you start the engine again. Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the light is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact your nearest dealer for service as soon as possible.

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