1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA check engine light

184
*
[DR14200( ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[DR14300( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
[DR14400( ALL)07/93]
The parking brake system is designed for static
parking only and is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
% [DR14415( GV)05/94]Rear Air Suspension System
(If equipped)
[DR14425( GV)10/90]
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
load leveling rear air suspension system, it will
maintain the rear vehicle height at a constant
level by automatically adding air or releasing air
from the rear air springs to offset changes in
vehicle loads.
[DR14430( GV)03/94]
A shutoff switch is located in the trunk on the
right hand vertical trim panel. If this switch is in
the OFF position, the automatic leveling system
will not operate. The switch should be OFF
whenever jacking up or towing the vehicle. If
you have the mechanical cluster, ªAIR SUSPº
will appear in the cluster, if you have an
electronic cluster, ªCHECK AIR SUSPENSIONº
File:rcdrv.ex
Update:Wed Jan 31 10:36:47 1996

198first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[RE01000( ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
*
[RE01100( ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
[RE01150( ALL)11/90]
NOTE: also see label on battery.
*
[RE01200( ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01300( ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[RE01400( ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01500( ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
*
[RE01600( ALL)02/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.
Turning on the fan helps protect the
electrical system from voltage surges. Turn
off all other switches and lights in both
vehicles to prevent possible damage to either
vehicle's electrical systems.
File:rcrev.ex
Update:Thu Feb 1 10:47:30 1996

233
Servicing Your Crown
Victoria
%*
[SV00300( ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
*
[SV00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[SV00550( ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
*
[SV00600( ALL)01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
*
[SV00700( ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*
[SV00800( ALL)01/95]
q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
*
[SV00900( ALL)05/94]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
*
[SV01000( ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
*
[SV01100( ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
File:rcsvv.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:02:20 1995

245 [SV12650( ALL)05/95]
The following decrease fuel economy:
[SV12700( ALL)05/95]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
[SV12800( ALL)05/95]
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
[SV12850( ALL)05/95]
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
[SV12900( ALL)05/95]
q
Sudden stops
[SV12950( ALL)05/95]
q
Extended engine idling
[SV13000( ALL)05/95]
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
[SV13100( ALL)05/95]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
[SV13200( ALL)05/95]
q
Underinflated tires
[SV13300( ALL)05/95]
q
Heavy loads
[SV13400( ALL)05/95]
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
*
[SV13510( ALL)02/95]
Self-Service Pointers
*
[SV13520( ALL)01/95]
If you choose to do your own fueling, you
should also perform a few simple maintenance
routines. This extra effort will save you
additional money and contribute to the driving
efficiency of your vehicle.
*
[SV13530( ALL)01/95]
The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
*
[SV13540( ALL)01/95]
q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
*
[SV13550( ALL)01/95]
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
*
[SV13560( ALL)01/95]
q
Check windshield washer fluid
*
[SV13570( ALL)02/95]
q
Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
*
[SV13580( ALL)01/95]
q
Check the tire pressure at least monthly
File:rcsvv.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:02:20 1995

247 %
*
[SV13775( ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[SV13800( ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[SV13900( ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000( ALL)02/95]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
*
[SV14025( BCGV)03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[SV14100( ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[SV14200( ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[SV14300( ALL)01/95]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400( GV)08/93]
one inch art:0000970-A
Engine oil dipstick
*
[SV14500( ALL)03/95]
6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from the engine.
File:rcsvv.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:02:20 1995

248
*
[SV14600( ALL)01/95]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
*
[SV14800( ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[SV15000( ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
%*
[SV16300( ALL)01/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
*
[SV16400( ALL)04/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
*
[SV16500( ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0060618-C
*
[SV16800( ALL)04/95]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
%*
[SV16900( ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
File:rcsvv.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:02:20 1995

287
*
[SV53075( ALL)03/95]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service
of the emissions control devices or systems in
your new Ford Motor Company vehicle or
engine may be performed at your expense by
any automotive repair establishment or
individual using automotive parts equivalent to
those which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
*
[SV53150( ALL)05/95]
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine
Ford replacement parts. If other than Ford or
Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for the service of components
affecting emissions control, such non-Ford parts
should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It
is the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information.
*
[SV53175( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
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.
*
[SV53200( ALL)05/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
*
[SV53300( ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
File:rcsvv.ex
Update:Wed Jun 28 16:02:20 1995

318 Index
Emergencies, roadside
assistance............... 215
battery acid spills........... 197
jump-starting............. 197
towing................ 213
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 182
Emission control system, catalytic
converter............... 286
Engine
check engine warning light..... 55,66
does not start.............. 41
fuel injected engine, starting....... 39
fuel system shut-off switch........ 45
preparing to start............ 39
service points............. 237
starting................. 40
starting after a collision......... 45
storing your vehicle.......... 295
Engine block heater............ 42
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 249
checking hoses............ 250
disposal............... 253
preparing for storage......... 295
proper solution............ 251
recovery reservoir........... 249
refill capacities............ 291
specifications............. 293
Engine coolant temperature gauge
description............. 58,64
electronic................ 64
mechanical............... 59
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter....... 248
checking and adding......... 247
dipstick............... 247
disposal............... 248
engine oil pressure gauge........ 61
engine oil pressure warning light..... 69
filter, specifications.......... 292
File:rcixv.ex
Update:Fri Feb 2 11:41:03 1996