wheel Mercury Grand Marquis 1996 s Owner's Guide

179 [DR10200( BCGV)12/94]
Speed Sensitive Power Steering
(If equipped)
*
[DR10400( GV)01/95]
The steering system in your vehicle is speed
sensitive. This means that the steering effort is
light for parking and heavier for highway
driving. However, if you have to swerve around
an object or another vehicle, your steering will
have full power assist.
%
*
[DR10500( ALL)03/95]
Brakes
%*
[DR10600( ALL)01/95]
Applying the Brakes
[DR10650( ALL)05/95]
Braking non ABS brakes
[DR11060( GV)12/91]
Your vehicle has front and rear disc brakes with
anti-lock (optional). They adjust automatically as
the brake pads wear down.
*
[DR11100( ALL)04/95]
Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
[DR11300( ALL)03/95]
On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
[DR11310( ALL)05/95]
Braking with ABS brakes
[DR11400( ALL)03/95]
On vehicles with anti-lock brakes, the wheels
will not lock and slide when you press down
hard on the brake pedal. The anti-lock brakes
automatically start releasing and reapplying the
front brakes independently and the rear brakes
together whenever your wheels start to lock. Do
not ªpumpº the brake pedal on vehicles
equipped with anti-lock brakes. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulse.
This ªpulseº may be an unfamiliar feeling but it
is normal and indicates the ABS is working as
designed.
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

184
*
[DR14500( ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[DR14600( ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[DR14700( ALL)03/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[DR14800( ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
%*
[DR15200( ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[DR15300( ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
*
[DR15400( ALL)03/95]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
*
[DR15500( ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
*
[DR15600( ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
[DR15700( ALL)03/95]
q
Do not use speed control.
*
[DR15800( ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
*
[DR15900( ALL)03/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
*
[DR16000( ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR16200( BCGV)01/93]
RWARNING
To avoid skidding and losing control on
slippery roads, do not downshift into First
(1) when you are moving faster than
20 mph (32 km/h).
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

185
*
[DR16225( ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not
use it on slippery roads. You could lose
control of your vehicle and could injure
someone.
[DR16250( GV)05/94]
If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud
or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the
spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward
(2 [Second] gear is the recommended forward
gear) and reverse gears. At the same time, press
lightly on the accelerator.
*
[DR16400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
[DR16500( ALL)12/94]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transmission, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[DR16700( ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR16800( ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
*
[DR16900( ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR17000( ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

190
*
[DR20900( ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
*
[DR21000( ALL)01/95]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
*
[DR21100( ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
*
[DR21125( ALL)01/95]
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
%*
[DR21150( ALL)01/95]
Using the hitch
*
[DR21300( G )05/95]
Your vehicle uses one of two types of hitches,
depending on how much your trailer weighs.
The Class I hitch will allow you to tow a trailer
weighing up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg.). Because this
type of hitch places the tongue load of a trailer
on the rear wheels of your vehicle, you must
distribute the load in your trailer so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the
tongue.
*
[DR21400( G )05/95]
A Class III hitch and the optional trailer tow III
package will allow you to tow a trailer weighing
up to 5,000 lbs. (2,270 kg.). This type of hitch
distributes the tongue load of a trailer evenly
between the front and rear wheels of your
vehicle and the trailer wheels.
*
[DR21600( ALL)01/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and
change the weight on the hitch. This will
prevent damage to your vehicle and make your
vehicle easier to handle.
File:rcdrg.ex
Update:Tue Jan 30 08:04:02 1996

200
%*
[RE03900( ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
*
[RE04000( ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
%*
[RE04100( ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
*
[RE04200( GV)03/95]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare
tire. This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire
and is designed for emergency use only. Use it
only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with
the words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that
you can easily identify it.
*
[RE04250( ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Extended use of other than
conventional spare tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not
affect normal driving and should not
be noticeable to the driver.
*
[RE04300( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
File:rcreg.ex
Update:Thu Feb 1 08:33:27 1996

201
*
[RE04400( ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
*
[RE04500( ALL)01/95]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
*
[RE04600( ALL)01/95]
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
*
[RE04700( ALL)01/95]
q
tow a trailer.
*
[RE04800( ALL)01/95]
q
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[RE04900( ALL)01/95]
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
*
[RE05000( ALL)01/95]
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
*
[RE05100( ALL)01/95]
q
drive through an automatic car wash with
this tire. Because the temporary spare tire is
smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces
the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get
caught in the rails and it could be damaged.
% [RE05200( GV)11/94]
Using the Conventional Spare Tire
(If equipped)
*
[RE05300( GV)01/95]
If you have the conventional spare tire, you can
use it as a spare or as a regular tire. This spare
tire is identical to the other tires that come with
your vehicle, although the wheel may not match.
File:rcreg.ex
Update:Thu Feb 1 08:33:27 1996

203 %
*
[RE07300( ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[RE07525( BCGV)03/95]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
[RE07550( BCGV)05/95]
When one of the back wheels is off the ground,
the transmission alone will not prevent the
vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack,
even if the vehicle is in P (Park). To prevent the
vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block the
wheel (both directions) that is diagonally
opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
*
[RE07560( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
[RE07655( GV)12/94]
Turn off the air suspension switch (if equipped)
prior to jacking.
*
[RE07657( GV)05/95]
RWARNING
On vehicles equipped with Air
Suspension, turn OFF the Air Suspension
switch prior to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
[RE07660( GV)05/92]
quarter page art:0010573-A
The air suspension switch Ð located in the trunk
File:rcreg.ex
Update:Thu Feb 1 08:33:27 1996

204
*
[RE07875( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
*
[RE07900( ALL)05/95]
2. Get out the spare tire and jack.
*
[RE07960( GV)05/95]
RWARNING
On vehicles equipped with Air
Suspension, turn OFF the Air Suspension
switch prior to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
[RE08050( GV)06/92]
3. Remove any optional wheel covers or wheel
ornaments with the tapered end of a wheel
nut wrench. Insert the handle of the wrench
and twist it against the inner wheel cover
flange. For more about removing wheel
covers, see the information later in this
section.
*
[RE08125( GV)01/95]
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them
until the tire is raised off the ground. You
should pull up on the handle rather than
push to develop maximum force to loosen
wheel lug nuts.
File:rcreg.ex
Update:Thu Feb 1 08:33:27 1996

205 %
*
[RE08150( ALL)05/95]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[RE08300( GV)12/94]
1. Find the jacking location notches
(a depression on plastic moulding) near the
tire that you are changing. Align the two
tabs on jack with rectangular notch on sheet
metal. Slowly push jack straight until the
tabs are against the side of the frame. MAKE
SURE THE JACK IS PROPERLY
POSITIONED UNDER THE FRAME. Turn
the handle of the jack clockwise until the
wheel is completely off the ground.
*
[RE08400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do
not put any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start
the engine when your vehicle is on the
jack. The jack is only meant for changing
the tire.
[RE08550( ALL)10/92]
half page art:0010759-A
The improper lift point
File:rcreg.ex
Update:Thu Feb 1 08:33:27 1996

206 [RE08570( ALL)05/92]NOTE: Never use the differential housing as a
lift point.
% [RE08700( GV)11/90]
quarter page art:0010687-A
Jacking locations
[RE08725( GV)03/92]
quarter page art:0010688-A
Locating the notch for the jack Ð rear wheels
[RE08750( GV)03/92]
quarter page art:0010689-A
Locating the notch for the jack Ð front wheels
*
[RE08900( ALL)01/95]
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the
wheel clears the ground. Remove the wheel
lug nuts.
File:rcreg.ex
Update:Thu Feb 1 08:33:27 1996