traction control FORD CROWN VICTORIA 2008 2.G Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints 101
Seating 101
Safety restraints 106
Airbags 121
Child restraints 133
Tires, Wheels and Loading 145
Tire information 145
Tire inflation 147
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 160
Vehicle loading 165
Trailer towing 171
Recreational towing 174
Driving 175
Starting 175
Brakes 180
Traction Control™ 183
Air suspension 186
Transmission operation 187
Roadside Emergencies 192
Getting roadside assistance 192
Hazard flasher switch 193
Fuel pump shut-off switch 194
Fuses and relays 195
Changing tires 203
Lug nut torque 210
Jump starting 211
Wrecker towing 216
Customer Assistance 217
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 223
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 224
Cleaning 225
Table of Contents
2
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Check the oil level
and add oil if needed. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Engine coolant temperature
(if equipped):Illuminates when
the engine coolant temperature is
high. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let
cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Traction control™ AdvanceTrac
active (if equipped):Illuminates
when the Traction control™ system
is active. It will be lit for a minimum
of four seconds or for the duration
of the Traction Control™ event,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
Severity indicator (if equipped):
Displays the indicated severity color
when any of the following warning
conditions has occurred:
•Red: Low Oil Pressure, Charge
System, Engine Coolant Over Temperature, Door Ajar
•Amber: Low Fuel
Refer toMessage Centerin theDriver Controlschapter.
Low tire pressure warning
(if equipped):Illuminates when
your tire pressure is low. If the light
remains ON at start up or while
driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you
the following information about tire grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
145

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 139. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service, but they
must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
•Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
•Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of
each tire providing information about the tire brand and
manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manufacture. Also referred
to as DOT code.
•Inflation pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
•Standard load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing
the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tire’s
load carrying capability.
•Extra load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
heavier maximum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires].
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
146

10.Tire Ply Composition and Material Used:Indicates the number of
plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and
sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply materials in the
tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
11.Maximum Load:Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label, which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door, for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
12.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
•Treadwear:The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
12) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
•Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
•Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire
manufacturers’ maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at
which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is
normally higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label or Tire Label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower than
the recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
157

If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear.
Do not apply your brakes continuously, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
Under normal operating conditions, brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels. Some brake dust is inevitable as brakes wear and does not
contribute to brake noise. The use of modern friction materials with
emphasis on improved performance and environmental considerations
can lead to more dust than in the past. Brake dust can be cleaned by
weekly washing with soapy water and a soft sponge. Heavier deposits can
be removed with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A).
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
This vehicle is 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. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be inspected by
an authorized dealer.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates 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.
Using ABS
•In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the four-wheel
ABS is required, apply continuous force on the brake. The four wheel
ABS will be activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain 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.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
181

The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
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.
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic parking brake release.
To release the parking brake:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. 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). The brake pedal must remain pressed while the gearshift is
moved.
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.
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. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces.
The system operates by detecting and controlling wheel spin. 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.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
183

Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of an Traction Control™
event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
The Traction Control™ system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces while you are trying to
accelerate or while your foot is on the accelerator pedal. The system is a
driver aid which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow
and ice covered roads.
During Traction Control™ operation you may hear an electric motor type
of sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not
“rev-up” when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction
Control™ system off. This may
allow excess wheel spin to “dig” the
vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
The traction control indicator
flashes during a Traction Control™
system event.
If the traction control indicator
comes on and stays lit, either:
•the Traction Control™ system
requires service by an authorized dealer, or
•the customer has disabled the system using the traction control switch
located on the left side of the instrument panel.
The Traction Control™ system will be on every time you turn the
ignition key from OFF to ON until you deactivate the system using the
traction control switch on the instrument panel left of the steering
column.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
184

trailer towing ..........................171
wrecker ....................................216
Traction control ........................183
Traction-lok rear axle ...............186
Transmission .............................187
brake-shift interlock
(BSI) ................................187–188
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................261
fluid, refill capacities ..............266
lubricant specifications ..........266
Trunk ...........................................88
remote release ....................84, 90
Turn signal ..................................42
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................270Vehicle loading
..........................165
Ventilating your vehicle
...........178
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......10
Washer fluid
..............................235
Water, Driving through
.............191
Windows
power
.........................................63
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................51
checking and adding fluid
.....235
replacing wiper blades
...........235
Wrecker towing
.........................216
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
279