traction control Mercury Grand Marquis 1998 Owner's Manuals

Traction ControlYactive (if equipped)
Flashes when the Traction Controly
system begins applying and
releasing the brakes and adjusting
the engine characteristics to limit a
wheelspin condition. It will be lit for
a minimum of four seconds or for
the duration of the Traction
Controlyevent.
If the Traction Controlyindicator
comes on or stays lit, either:
²the Traction Controlysystem needs service, or
²the customer has disabled the system using the traction control
switch.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to theSeating and
safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and either front door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and either front door is opened.
Turn signal chime
Sounds when the turn signal lever has been activated to signal a turn.
TRAC
CNTL
Instrumentation
11

brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Your vehicle has an automatic parking brake release. To release the
parking brake:
1. Turn the ignition to the RUN position.
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 CONTROLY(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional Traction Controly
system. This system helps 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).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlyportion 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 ªsearchº for optimum traction several times a second and
adjustment are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
HOOD
Driving
84

which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice
covered roads.
During Traction Controlyoperation you may hear an electric motor type
of sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not
ªrev-upº 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 Controlysystem off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to ªdigº the vehicle out a enable a successful ªrockingº
maneuver.
If the Traction Controlysystem is cycled excessively, the brake portion
of the system will shut down to prevent the rear brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Controlyfunction using only engine
torque reduction will still control wheels from over-spinning. When the
rear brakes have cooled down, the system will again function normally.
Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will function
normally during the cool down period.
If the engine coolant temperature is below þ23ÉC (þ10ÉF) the engine
torque reduction portion of the Traction Controlysystem isNOTactive.
The system will operate normally when the engine coolant warms up.
The traction control indicator
flashes during a Traction Controly
system event.
If the traction control indicator
comes on and stays lit, either:
²the Traction Controlysystem
requires service, or
²the customer has disabled the
system using the traction control switch.
The Traction Controlysystem will be on every time you turn the ignition
key from OFF to ON until you deactivate the system using the traction
control switch in the glove compartment.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
TRAC
CNTL
Driving
85

²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle's reduced
ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
If the mini-spare tire is used as a replacement for a rear wheel:
²Turn off the traction control switch (if equipped).
²Turn off the air suspension switch (if equipped).
Anti-theft lug nuts (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with this
feature, one of the lug nuts on each
wheel must be removed and
replaced with a special key. The key
and registration card are attached to
the lug wrench and stored with the spare tire. If you lose the key, send
the registration card to the manufacturer (not the dealer) to get a
replacement key. If the lug wrench/lug nut key assembly is lost, see your
nearest Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer who has access to the master set
of keys.Do not use an impact wrench with the anti-theft key.
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
1. Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make sure you hold the key
square to the lug nut. If you hold the key at an angle, you could damage
the key and the lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and apply pressure on
the key with the wrench.
3. Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction to remove the lug nut.
Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
1. Insert the key over the locking lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and apply pressure on
the key with the wrench.
3. Install the lug nut.
Roadside emergencies
101

U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire grade 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
grade 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are A, B, and C, and they
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
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. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Maintenance and care
124

Aiming headlamps ....................135
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................67
and child safety seats ..............68
description ................................67
disposal ......................................71
indicator light ...........................70
passenger air bag .....................69
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............25,26
Air suspension
description ................................86
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS)#$description
Battery .......................................120
voltage gauge ............................16
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............112
Brakes ..........................................82
anti-lock .....................................82
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .................83
fluid, checking and adding ....112
traction control .........................84
Brake-shift interlock ...................87
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................133
specifications ..........................136
Changing a tire .........................100
Child safety seats ........................72
Childproof locks ..........................48
Chime
headlamps on ............................11
Cleaning your vehicle ...............137
engine compartment .......138,139
exterior ....................................140
headlamps ...............................139
plastic parts ............................139
washing ....................................137
waxing .....................................137
wheels ......................................138windows ..................................141
wiper blades ............................139
Climate control system
automatic temperature
control ...................27,28,29,30,32
Clock ............................................33
Compass, electronic ....................43
calibration .................................44
set zone adjustment .................44
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
temperature gauge ...................15
Defrost
rear window ..............................24
Emission control system ..........131
Engine
service points ..........................109
Engine block heater ...................80
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............114
disposal ....................................115
refill capacities ........................115
Engine oil ...........................110,111
changing oil and oil filter .......112
checking and adding .......110,111
Exhaust fumes ............................81
Floor mats ...................................49
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......130
improving fuel economy ..........93
octane rating ...........................129
quality ......................................130
running out of fuel .................130
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................127
Fuel pump shut-off switch .........94
Fuse panels
instrument panel ......................96
power distribution box .............98
Fuses .......................................95,96
Gauges, Mechanical ....................12
fuel gauge ..................................12
Hazard flashers ...........................94
Index
149

head restraints ..........................57
lumbar support .........................60
Servicing your vehicle ..............107
precautions when servicing ...107
Speed control ..............................36
canceling a set speed ...............38
indicator light ...........................39
resuming a set speed ...............39
tap up/tap down ..................37,38
turning off .................................36
Speed sensitive steering ............86
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .............77,80
starting your vehicle if the
battery is disabled ....103,104,105
Steering, power ...........................85
Tilt steering wheel ......................35
Tires ....................................123,125
changing ..................................102
checking the pressure ............125
replacing ..................................126
rotating ....................................125
snow tires and chains ............126
treadwear ................................124
Traction control
active light ................................11
Trailer towing
tips .............................................92
Transmission .............................119
automatic operation .......87,88,89fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................119
Trip odometer .............................15
Trunk
using the remote entry
system to open .........................51
Turn signal
lever ...........................................34
Universal transmitter ..................39
erasing channels .......................42
operating ...................................41
programming .............................40
Vehicle dimensions ...................145
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................147
Vehicle loading ............................89
Ventilating your vehicle .............81
Warning chimes ........................6,22
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts ..................101
Windows
power windows, operating .......46
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....113
checking and
replacing wiper blades ...........122
operation ...................................34
Wrecker towing .........................106
Index
151