User manual MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 1999

[. . . ] Contents Before driving Introduction Instrumentation Controls and features Seating and safety restraints Starting and driving Starting Driving Roadside emergencies Servicing Maintenance and care Capacities and specifications Customer assistance Reporting safety defects Index 136 175 180 192 193 101 106 120 2 3 24 80 All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Ford Motor Company. Copyright 1998 Ford Motor Company 1 Introduction ICONS Indicates a safety alert. Read the following section on Warnings. Indicates vehicle information related to recycling and other environmental concerns will follow. [. . . ] braking is still effective unless the BRAKE brake warning light also remains illuminated with parking brake released. (If your brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle serviced immediately). Using ABS · In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the ABS is required, apply continuous full force on the brake. The ABS will be activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full steering control of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. · The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce stopping distance. Always leave enough room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to stop. · We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking technique. Parking brake with auto-release Apply the parking brake whenever the vehicle is parked. Push pedal downward. HOOD 107 Driving The BRAKE warning lamp in the instrument cluster illuminates and remains illuminated (when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking brake is fully released. BRAKE !P Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park). However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected. 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). 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. HOOD 108 Driving TRACTION CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED) Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional Traction Control system. This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle. 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 Control portion 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 "search" for optimum traction several times a second and adjustments are made accordingly. [. . . ] Any such equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service technician. · Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive use or are not properly installed. In addition, such systems may be damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door openers and other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily affect your vehicle's operation. ) · Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage that may result from the use of such equipment. [. . . ]