load limits Mercury Grand Marquis 2004 Owner's Manuals

Page 138 of 240

VEHICLE LOADING–WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Safety Certification Label and Tire Label:
Base Curb Weight–is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight–is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo Weight–includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)–is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear)–including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)–is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the driver’s door or door pillar. The total load on each
axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits
could result in substandard vehicle handling, performance,
engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer towingfound in
this chapter or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
dealership.
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
138

Page 139 of 240

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)–is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)–is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the driver’s
door or door pillar. The GVW
must never exceed the GVWR.
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits
could result in substandard vehicle handling, performance,
engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)–is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
139

Page 216 of 240

•Temperature: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.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Tire manufactures
maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at which the
maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is normally
higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure
which can be found on either the tire label or certification label which is
located on the structure by the trailing edge of the driver’s door or the
edge of the driver’s door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set
lower than the recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
Additional information contained on the tire sidewall for“LT”type
tires
“LT”type tires have some additional
information than those of“P”type
tires; these differences are
described below:
1.LT:Indicates a tire, designated by
the Tire and Rim Association
(T&RA), that is intended for service
on light trucks.
2.Load Range/Load Inflation
Limits:Indicates the tires
load-carrying capabilities and its
inflation limits.
3.Maximum Load Dual lbs. (kg)
at psi (kPa) cold:Indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure
when the tire is used as a dual; a
dual is defined as when four tires are put on the rear axle (a total of six
or more tires on the vehicle).
4.Maximum Load Single lbs. (kg) at psi (kPa) cold:Indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a single; a
single is defined as when two tires (total) are put on the rear axle.
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
216

Page 222 of 240

•Severe abrasion on the sidewall
If your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system, a road tire or the spare
tire may be exposed to hot exhaust temperatures requiring the tire to be
replaced.
Tire Replacement Requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide safe ride and
handling capability.
Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the same size
and type (such as P-metric versus LT-metric or all-season versus
all-terrain) as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure. If
you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford
or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design, brand, load-carrying capacity and speed rating because it
can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result
in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires
due to the aging of the spare tire.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly spin the
tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an explosion. A tire
can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
2004 Grand Marquis(grn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
222

Page 238 of 240

positioning ...............................153
storage .....................................153
Jump-starting your vehicle ......159
K
Keyless entry system .................80
autolock .....................................79
keypad .......................................80
programming entry code .........80
Keys .................................72, 82–84
positions of the ignition .........123
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................36
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................40
daytime running light ...............36
headlamps .................................36
headlamps, flash to pass ..........37
instrument panel, dimming .....37
interior lamps .....................40–41
replacing bulbs ....... 40–41, 43–45
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................39
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........129
Limited slip axle
(see Traction Loc) ....................137
Load limits .................................138
Locks
autolock .....................................79
childproof ..................................73
doors ..........................................72
Lubricant specifications ...226, 228
Lumbar support, seats ...............88
M
Message center ...........................67reset button ..............................67
select button .............................68
Mirrors .........................................47
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................58
heated ........................................57
side view mirrors (power) .......57
Moon roof ....................................62
Motorcraft parts ................201, 224
O
Octane rating ............................200
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................184
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................76
Parking brake ............................129
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....224
Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............58
Power adjustable foot pedals .....58
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................150
Power door locks ..................72, 79
Power mirrors .............................57
Power Point
Cigar lighter ..............................55
Power steering ..................131–132
fluid, checking and adding ....206
fluid, refill capacity ................225
fluid, specifications .................226
Power Windows ...........................56
R
Radio ................................20, 23, 26
Index
238