maintenance FORD CROWN VICTORIA 1999 2.G Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 23
Seating and safety restraints 91
Starting and driving
Starting 112
Driving 117
Roadside emergencies 132
Servicing
Maintenance and care 148
Capacities and specifications 187
Customer assistance 192
Reporting safety defects 204
Index 205
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authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright
r1998 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of Severe Duty vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle, be sure to read the ªSevere Duty Owner's
Guide Supplement.º This book contains important operation and
maintenance information.
Notice to owners of natural gas fueled vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle, be sure to read the ªNatural Gas Vehicle
Owner's Guide Supplement.º This book contains important operation and
maintenance information.
Introduction
3

Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right turn
signal or the hazard lights are turned
on. If one or both of the indicators
stay on continuously or flash faster,
check for a burned-out turn signal
bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Engine oil pressure (if equipped)
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and
add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and Care
chapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off.
Engine coolant temperature
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let it cool.
Instrumentation
9

Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter. If light
stays on or continues to turn on after the vehicle warms up, have your
vehicle serviced.
This light also illuminates briefly when the ignition key is turned to ON.
Air suspension (if equipped)
This light tells you if the air
suspension needs repair or if the air
suspension switch is OFF. For
information on the air suspension
system, refer to theDriving
chapter.
O/D off
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and
transmission control switch has
been pushed. When the light is on,
the transmission does not shift into
overdrive. If the light does not come on when the transmission control
switch is depressed or if the light flashes when you are driving, have
your vehicle serviced.
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
AIR
SUSP
O/D
OFF
TRAC
CNTL
Instrumentation
10

Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the
ignition and let it cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
²Standard instrument cluster
²Optional instrument cluster
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate. If the gauge enters the red section, the engine
coolant andCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonindicators illuminate,
refer toWhat you should know about fail-safe coolingin the
Maintenance and care chapter.
TEMPH
C
N
O
R
M
H
C
Instrumentation
15

Battery voltage gauge (if equipped)
This gauge shows the battery
voltage when the ignition is in the
ON position. If the pointer moves
and stays outside the normal
operating range (as indicated), have
the vehicle's electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge (if equipped)
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle remains
in the normal range (the area
between the ªHº and ªLº).
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer toEngine
oilin theMaintenance and carechapter). If the oil level is correct,
have your vehicle checked at your dealership or by a qualified
technician.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
The electronic message center only
works when the ignition is in the
ON position.
The message center allows you to:
²see problems such as door ajar,
air suspension, trunk ajar, washer
fluid low
²see how many kilometers/miles
you can drive before running out
of fuel
VOLTSH
L
OILH
L
CHECK
TRUNK AJAR LTR/100 kmAIR SUSPENSION
OVERDRIVE OFFDOOR
AJAR
LOW
WASHER
FLUID
DIST TO
EMPTY
TRIP
AAVG
ECON
TRIP
BAVG
SPEED
km
MILES
/GAL
Instrumentation
16

Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position...The safety belt warning light
illuminates for one to two minutes
and the warning chime sounds for
four to eight seconds.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding...The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, wears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies (slide bar)(if equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified
technician finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if
either damage or improper operation is noted.
Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the safety belt
assembly under the above conditions could result in severe
personal injuries in the event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety beltsin the
Maintenance and caresection.
Seating and safety restraints
100

Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the air bag is deployed,the air bag will not function again
and must be replaced immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the air
bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.
AIR
BAG
Seating and safety restraints
104

BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check at 17 km/h (10
mph) after you start the engine and begin to drive away. A brief
mechanical noise may be heard during this test. This is normal. If a
malfunction is found, the ABS warning light will come on. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensating for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during
hard braking with loss of front braking traction.
Driving
117

If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance guide
for more information.
Driving
129