Why doesn't 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis have a steering wheel lock? - Ford Forums

ionosphere · 03-16-2008, 22:11

This is the only car I have ever owned where the steering wheel does not lock. What's up with that? Are all new Fords like this too?

**Nathan in MN** · 03-18-2008, 15:08

I'm not sure, to be honest...are you sure the lock isn't defective/broken?

ionosphere · 03-18-2008, 16:32

I'm sure. A rental I had used before I got mine also didn't lock. Dealer's no help. Don't seem to know much. Ford's response to me no help either. Ford cannot even tell me where the 8 speakers are located in my car.

Lambykin · 03-31-2008, 00:15

I don't have any answers, either, but here's a question - is Ford now using "steering by wire?" Some car companies will be using this technology soon, or are already using it. While I've never been in a car with this steering technology, I would think that there would be no need for a wheel lock if the car isn't on.

If you can't answer the question, then maybe it could be answered by "How hard is the wheel to turn when the car is off?" If it's next to impossible to turn when the car isn't running, it isn't using "steering by wire".

Anyhow, just a guess. If it's regular steering, I don't know why they wouldn't have a locking steering wheel.

As for where your speakers are located - 4 should be very easy. There usually 2 at the rear of the car (under the parcel shelf, or the pillars at the back). Another 2 usually exist in the dashboard. There's 4 of your 8. The other 4? Probably located in the doors, or in the rear doors & the front kick panels.

This isn't rocket science - if you go to a dealer & ask the question, someone in service or parts should have an answer for you - that's what the computer & their database is for. That's just poor customer service...

**Nathan in MN** · 04-01-2008, 19:54

Nope, no steer-by-wire, at least not on Crown Vics. I've worked on quite new ones, and they still have a steering column going down into the rack and pinion assembly.

Lambykin · 04-01-2008, 20:45

Fair enough - I'd be a little uncertain about steering by wire. Many cars already have "drive by wire" and some have brake-by-wire (not many, though).

**Nathan in MN** · 04-02-2008, 11:53

I'd agree on the steer-by-wire thing...a failure on that could be disastrous. I'll keep my good old fashioned steering shafts, thank you very much!

ionosphere · 04-02-2008, 16:47

Ford sent me a satisfaction questioniarre about my purchase experience. Well, I told them my dissatisfaction about not getting answers to my questions from either them or the dealer. We'll see if I ever hear from them. What is the big $#%#$%$##$% deal to just tell me why the car has no steering wheel lock? Maybe there's a real good reason. Just tell me. It's just that EVERY car I've ever owned had a steering wheel that locked EXCEPT this one.

Lambykin · 04-02-2008, 20:55

I can certainly understand your frustration - whether it be Ford, or any other dealer, it's extremely aggravating when it appears NO one has answers. Yet they represent the very company that supposedly designed it & manufactered it. Just for kicks, you should try asking for one of the engineer's phone numbers.

I own a few cars. One is a Honda, the other a Fiero. I avoid the GM dealer liek the plague for anything if at all possible. They're rude, and really don't seem to care about the customer havign to stand around for 15 minutes waiting to ask a simple question. In their defese, the GM dealership acknowledged I was standing there and they would "be with me in a minute." But there were a number of goons wandering about while I waited - extremely annoying (I was at parts getting a quote for a specialized starter that is sold by the GM performance parts division).

The type of service & respect I get at the Honda dealership is totally different - which explains why I've continued to give them my business for the last 22 years.

Not intending to make this a flame war - just using my experience as an example to let you know it happens to others at other dealers, too. I'm sure there are those out there who have had rotten experiences at a Honda dealer.

One thing for sure - I don't want to hear the North American car companies try to sell their cars by stating "The cost of replacement parts for an American car is cheaper, so the overall cost of ownership is lower if you buy North American." - Rubbish. GM is gouging people for this special starter at $335. They don't even make it - they simply slap their sticker on it. The starter is made by Hitachi, and supplied to many different companies. I found the same starter for $159 (not at a dealer).

Certain dealers really know how to leave a bad impression - sometimes so bad that you never would want to buy a car there. In my area, if I ever bought Ford or GM, I'd travel about an hour to get away from the buggers here (and I live in a city where dealers are plentiful of all different makes & models).

If you ever find out why there's no steering lock, let us know - very curious. Last time i saw a car without an ignition lock, it was on a car from the 60s...

kms250 · 04-18-2008, 10:24

This was done away with for the 2005 and higher models because the car cannot be started without the special key FOB (security chip in the key). The purpose of the steering wheel lock was theft deterrent and since the key now provides the deterrent Ford felt the steering wheel lock was redundant and no longer necessary.

Also notice the passenger side front door no longer has a key lock either. This was removed to save cost and is irrelevant with the use of the remote door opener anyway.

What I would like to see in the future is an all door unlock feature whenever the driver's front door is unlocked. I've cursed so many times because I have to either press the unlock button twice from the inside or twice on the remote opener to open any door other than the driver's front door.