check transmission fluid Mercury Grand Marquis 2000 Owner's Manuals

O/D off
²Standard instrument cluster
²Optional instrument cluster
Illuminates when the Transmission
Control Switch (TCS), refer to
Overdrive controlin theControls
and Featureschapter, has been
pushed turning the transmission
overdrive function OFF. When the
light is on, the transmission does not operate in the overdrive mode,
refer to theDrivingchapter for transmission function and operation.
The light may also flash steadily if a transmission malfunction is
detected. If the light does not come on when the Transmission Control
Switch is depressed or if the light flashes steadily, have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible, damage to the transmission could occur.
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
in the glove compartment.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Message center indicator lights (if equipped)
Speed control
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition
is turned to the OFF position.
O/D
OFF
CHECK
TRUNK AJAR LTR/100 kmAIR SUSPENSION
OVERDRIVE OFFDOOR
AJAR
LOW
WASHER
FLUID
km
MILES
/GAL
TRAC
CNTL
SPEED CONTROL
Instrumentation
13

²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
Motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your
local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
Driving
131

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
164

Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
165

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........................101
and child safety seats ............103
description ..............................101
disposal ....................................105
driver air bag ..........................103
indicator light ....................10,105
operation .................................103
passenger air bag ...................103
Air cleaner filter ................169,197
Air conditioning ..........................26
automatic temperature
control system ..........................28
Air suspension ...........................122
description ..............................122
warning light .............................12
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................157
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................118,119
Audio system (see Radio) .........35
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................124
fluid, adding ............................164
fluid, checking ........................164
fluid, refill capacities ..............197
fluid, specification ..................200
Axle
lubricant specifications ...198,200
refill capacities ........................197
traction lok ..............................126
Battery .......................................167
acid, treating emergencies .....167
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....144
maintenance-free ....................167
replacement, specifications ...197
servicing ..................................167
voltage gauge ............................19
Belt minder .................................97Brakes ........................................118
anti-lock ............................118,119
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........11,119
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....156
fluid, refill capacities ..............197
fluid, specifications ..........198,200
lubricant specifications ...198,200
shift interlock ..........................123
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....197
Cassette tape player ...................46
CD changer .................................55
Certification Label ....................202
Child safety restraints ..............106
child safety belts ....................106
Child safety seats ......................107
attaching with tether straps ..111
in front seat ............................108
in rear seat .......................108,111
Cleaning your vehicle ...............190
engine compartment ..............193
exterior ....................................192
exterior lamps .........................192
instrument panel ....................194
instrument panel lens ............194
interior ..............................195,196
mirrors .....................................192
plastic parts ............................192
safety belts ..............................195
washing ....................................191
waxing .....................................191
wheels ......................................192
windows ..................................195
wiper blades ............................193
woodtone trim ........................195
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............26
Clock ............................................34
Compass, electronic ....................69
calibration .................................71
Index
215

set zone adjustment .................70
Controls
power seat ............................89,90
Coolant
checking and adding ..............157
coolant temperature light ........10
refill capacities .................160,197
specifications ...................198,200
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................62
Customer Assistance ................133
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................210
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................203
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............209
Getting roadside assistance ...133
Getting the service
you need .................................203
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................213
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................206
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............209
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................24
Defrost
rear window ..............................25
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................164
engine oil .................................153
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........198
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................132
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................144
Emission control system ..........183Engine ........................................200
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........9
cleaning ...................................193
coolant .....................................157
fail-safe coolant ......................161
idle speed control ...................167
lubrication
specifications ...................198,200
refill capacities ........................197
service points ..........................152
starting after a collision .........134
Engine block heater .................116
Engine oil ..................................153
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................153
checking and adding ..............153
dipstick ....................................153
filter, specifications .........155,197
recommendations ...................155
refill capacities ........................197
specifications ...................198,200
Exhaust fumes ..........................116
Fail safe cooling ........................161
Floor mats ...................................74
Fluid capacities .........................197
Fuel ............................................175
calculating fuel economy .......180
cap ...........................................177
capacity ...................................197
choosing the right fuel ...........178
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................183
detergent in fuel .....................179
filling your
vehicle with fuel .......175,177,180
filter, specifications .........180,197
fuel pump shut-off switch .....134
gauge .........................................15
improving fuel economy ........180
low fuel warning light ................8
octane rating ....................179,200
Index
216

Specification chart,
lubricants ............................198,200
Speed control ..............................62
Speedometer ...............................16
Starting your vehicle .........113,115
jump starting ..........................144
Steering
speed sensitive .......................122
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................61
Tilt steering wheel ......................61
Tires ......................140,171,172,173
changing ...........................140,141
checking the pressure ............173
replacing ..................................174
rotating ....................................173
snow tires and chains ............175
tire grades ...............................172
treadwear ................................172
Towing ................................128,173
recreational towing .................131
trailer towing ..........................128
wrecker ....................................149
Traction control ........................120
off light ......................................13
Traction-lok rear axle ...............126
Transmission .............................123fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................164
fluid, refill capacities ..............197
lubricant specifications ...198,200
Trip odometer .............................18
Trunk ...........................................85
remote release .....................71,78
Turn signal .............................11,59
Vehicle dimensions ...................200
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................202
Vehicle loading ..........................127
Ventilating your vehicle ...........117
Warning chimes ......................14,15
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................157
Water, Driving through .............132
Windows
power .........................................72
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....157
checking and cleaning ............170
operation ...................................60
replacing wiper blades ...........170
Wrecker towing .........................149
Index
219