The Mercury Marquis, better known as the Mercury Grand Marquis, is a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan that has been in production since 1983. Sharing the same platform and most of its components with the Ford Crown Victoria, the Grand Marquis is a popular fleet vehicle and favored by owners who prefer traditional premium car comfort. Like every sedan, the Mercury Grand Marquis needs to be regularly maintained, which can be accomplished by carefully following the owner's manual.
Like clockwork, regular oil changes are necessary to keep your Mercury's 4.6L V8 engine humming. If you use a synthetic blend of oil, you can extend changes to every 12,000 miles and beyond. For regular oil, your changes will occur more frequently, in as few as 3,000 miles for city or dusty condition driving. Swap out the oil filter every time you change the oil.
Annual tune ups are a thing of the past as spark plugs and wires last for tens of thousands of miles as opposed to needing an annual change. Older models may have different maintenance intervals while late-model Mercurys can go at least 50,000 miles on one set of spark plugs. Change your air filter every 12,000 miles.
If you live in a colder climate, then placing snow tires on your Mercury for the winter is advised. Come spring, when tires are removed, rotate your regular tires to extend their longevity. Spring is also a good time to have your mechanic inspect your brakes and align your wheels, if needed. Check steering, suspension, joints and axles at this time too.
Replace your wiper blades annually or more often if they exhibit signs of wear and tear. If snow and ice do not do damage, the sun will. Therefore, regularly replacing wiper blades can help keep visibility optimal.
Inspect your transmission fluid levels regularly and follow the manufacturer's instructions for replacement schedule. Signs of transmission slippage should be addressed at once.
Protect your engine by changing the fuel filter at prescribed intervals. A clogged filter will shut down your engine, possibly leading to expensive repair bills if ignored.
Engine coolant needs to be checked at least once annually, more often if you live in a frigid climate. Flush/replace your coolant as needed.
Drive belts and hoses should be inspected annually for signs of leakage or separation. Change the timing belt at the first sound of trouble to avoid being left stranded.
A positive crankcase ventilation valve is essential to controlling emissions. Have it and your exhaust system checked (muffler, catalytic converter, tail pipe) at the same time.
