check engine FORD CROWN VICTORIA 2000 2.G Owner's Guide

If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•Your “Check Engine” indicator may come on. For more information on
the “Check Engine” indicator, refer to theInstrumentationchapter.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the
appropriate intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km
(1 000 miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more
accurate measurement after 3 000 km–5 000 km (2 000 miles-
3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill Capacities
section of theCapacities and specificationschapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of usable fuel remaining in the
fuel tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of empty reserve varies and should not be relied
upon to increase driving range. When refueling your vehicle after
the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be able to refuel
Maintenance and care
184

Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Maintenance and care
186

•Have the items listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the “Check Engine” light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your “Warranty Guide” for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your “Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon” light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the “Check Engine/Service Engine Soon” light on.
Maintenance and care
188

If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
•Headlamps
•Tail lamps
•Brakelamps
•High-mount brakelamp
•Turn signals
•Backup lamps
•License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be replaced immediately. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position, then open the hood.
2. Remove the protective cover by turning the three knobs to the unlock
position.
Maintenance and care
189

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........................106
and child safety seats ............108
description ..............................106
disposal ....................................110
driver air bag ..........................108
indicator light ....................10,110
operation .................................108
passenger air bag ...................108
Air cleaner filter ................173,201
Air conditioning ..........................26
automatic temperature
control system ..........................28
Air suspension ...........................127
description ..............................127
warning light .............................12
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................161
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................122,123
Audio system (see Radio) .........35
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................128
fluid, adding ............................168
fluid, checking ........................168
fluid, refill capacities ..............201
fluid, specification ..................204
Axle
lubricant specifications ...202,204
refill capacities ........................201
traction lok ..............................130
Battery .......................................171
acid, treating emergencies .....171
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....148
maintenance-free ....................171
replacement, specifications ...201
servicing ..................................171
voltage gauge ............................19
Belt minder ...............................102Brakes ........................................122
anti-lock ............................122,123
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........11,123
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....160
fluid, refill capacities ..............201
fluid, specifications ..........202,204
lubricant specifications ...202,204
shift interlock ..........................127
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....201
Cassette tape player ...................50
CD changer .................................59
Certification Label ....................206
Child safety restraints ..............111
child safety belts ....................111
Child safety seats ......................112
attaching with tether straps ..116
in front seat ............................113
in rear seat .......................113,116
Cleaning your vehicle ...............194
engine compartment ..............197
exterior ....................................196
exterior lamps .........................196
instrument panel ....................198
instrument panel lens ............199
interior ..............................199,200
mirrors .....................................196
plastic parts ............................196
safety belts ..............................199
washing ....................................195
waxing .....................................195
wheels ......................................196
windows ..................................199
wiper blades ............................197
woodtone trim ........................199
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............26
Clock ............................................34
Compass, electronic ....................74
calibration .................................75
Index
219

set zone adjustment .................75
Controls
power seat ............................94,95
Coolant
checking and adding ..............161
coolant temperature light ........10
refill capacities .................164,201
specifications ...................202,204
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................66
Customer Assistance ................137
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................214
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................207
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................213
Getting roadside assistance ...137
Getting the
service you need ....................207
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................217
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................210
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............213
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................24
Defrost
rear window ..............................25
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................168
engine oil .................................157
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........202
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................136
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................148
Emission control system ..........187Engine ........................................204
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........9
cleaning ...................................197
coolant .....................................161
fail-safe coolant ......................165
idle speed control ...................171
lubrication
specifications ...................202,204
refill capacities ........................201
service points ..........................156
starting after a collision .........138
Engine block heater .................120
Engine oil ..................................157
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................157
checking and adding ..............157
dipstick ....................................157
filter, specifications .........159,201
recommendations ...................159
refill capacities ........................201
specifications ...................202,204
Exhaust fumes ..........................121
Fail safe cooling ........................165
Floor mats ...................................79
Fluid capacities .........................201
Fuel ............................................179
calculating fuel economy .......184
cap ...........................................181
capacity ...................................201
choosing the right fuel ...........182
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................187
detergent in fuel .....................183
filling your vehicle
with fuel ....................179,181,184
filter, specifications .........184,201
fuel pump shut-off switch .....138
gauge .........................................15
improving fuel economy ........184
low fuel warning light ................8
octane rating ....................183,204
Index
220

anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....11,123
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................12
check engine ...............................9
high beam .................................11
low coolant ................................10
low fuel ........................................8
oil pressure ...............................12
overdrive off ..............................13
safety belt .................................10
speed control ............................70
traction control active ..............13
turn signal indicator .................11
Load limits .................................131
GAWR ......................................131
GVWR ......................................131
trailer towing ..........................131
Locks
autolock .....................................81
childproof ..................................79
doors ..........................................78
Lubricant specifications ....202,204
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................147
Lumbar support, seats ...............96
Message center ...........................20
reset button ..............................20
select button .............................21
Mirrors
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................74
cleaning ...................................196
side view mirrors (power) .......78
Motorcraft parts .................184,201
Octane rating ............................183
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................157
Overdrive ..............................66,129
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................83
Parking brake ............................123
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....201Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................142
Power door locks ...................78,81
Power steering ..........................126
fluid, checking and adding ....168
fluid, refill capacity ................201
fluid, specifications ..........202,204
Radio ............................................35
Relays .................................139,144
Remote entry system ............80,83
illuminated entry ......................83
locking/unlocking doors ...........80
opening the trunk .....................83
panic alarm ...............................83
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................85
replacing the batteries .............84
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) .........14,96,97,98,99,100
Safety defects, reporting ..........218
Safety restraints ....96,97,98,99,100
belt minder .............................102
cleaning the
safety belts .......................105,199
extension assembly ................101
for adults .........................97,98,99
for children ......................110,111
lap belt ....................................100
warning light
and chime ...............10,14,101,102
Safety seats for children ..........112
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............96
Seats ............................................92
child safety seats ....................112
cleaning ............................199,200
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ....................85,86
Servicing your vehicle ..............154
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................201,204
Special notice ................................3
Index
222