1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA battery

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.6L SOHC V8 engine
1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
5. Air filter assembly
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Battery
9. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
912
3
6578
4
Maintenance and care
111

BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the ªService Guideº for the service
interval schedules.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when
you are done cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the
top of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
Maintenance and care
124

When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To
begin this process:
1. Set your parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Let the engine idle for at least one minute.
4. The relearning process will automatically complete as you drive the
vehicle.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle, the idle quality of
your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle is eventually
relearned.
²If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been
installed, the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once
the battery is reconnected.
Maintenance and care
125

If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, 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.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
²Backup lamps
²License 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
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of
children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position, then open the hood.
Maintenance and care
136

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.6L SOHC V8 engine
Air filter FA-1032
Fuel filter FG-800A
Battery (standard) BXT-59
Battery (optional) BXT-65-650
Oil filter FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-98
Spark plugs* AWSF-32PP
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 have a9PG9suffix and
Cylinders No. 5, 6, 7 and 8 have a9P9suffix. If a spark plug needs to be
replaced, use only spark plugs with the service number suffix letter as
shown on the engine decal.
Capacities and specifications
145

Aiming headlamps ....................138
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................68
and child safety seats ..............69
description ................................68
disposal ......................................72
indicator light ...........................71
passenger air bag .....................70
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............25,26
Air suspension
description ................................87
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS)description
Battery .......................................124
voltage gauge ............................16
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............114
Brakes ..........................................83
anti-lock .....................................83
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................84
fluid, checking and adding ....114
traction control .........................85
Brake-shift interlock ...................88
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................136
headlamps ...............................136
specifications ..........................139
Changing a tire .........................101
Child safety seats ........................73
Childproof locks ..........................48
Chime
headlamps on ............................12
Cleaning your vehicle ...............140
engine compartment .......141,142
exterior ....................................143
headlamps ...............................142
plastic parts ............................142
washing ....................................140
waxing .....................................140wheels ......................................141
windows ..................................144
wiper blades ............................142
Climate control system
automatic temperature
control ...................27,28,29,30,32
Clock ............................................33
Compass, electronic ....................43
calibration .................................45
set zone adjustment .................44
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
temperature gauge ...................15
Defrost
rear window ..............................24
Emission control system ..........134
Engine
service points ..........................111
Engine block heater ...................81
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............116
disposal ....................................117
refill capacities ........................118
Engine oil ...........................112,113
changing oil and oil filter .......114
checking and adding .......112,113
Exhaust fumes ............................82
Floor mats ...................................48
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......134
improving fuel economy ..........94
octane rating ...........................133
quality ......................................133
running out of fuel .................134
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................131
Fuel pump shut-off switch .........95
Fuse panels
instrument panel ......................97
power distribution box .............99
Fuses .......................................96,97
Gauges, Mechanical ....................12
fuel gauge ..................................12
Index
152

cleaning upholstery ................143
head restraints ..........................58
lumbar support .........................61
Servicing your vehicle ..............109
precautions when servicing ...109
Speed control ..............................36
canceling a set speed ...............38
indicator light ...........................39
resuming a set speed ...............39
tap up/tap down ..................37,38
turning off .................................36
Speed sensitive steering ............87
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .............78,81
starting your vehicle if the
battery is disabled ....105,106,107
Steering, power ...........................86
Tilt steering wheel ......................35
Tires ....................................127,128
changing ..................................103
checking the pressure ............128
replacing ..................................130
rotating ....................................128
snow tires and chains ............130
treadwear ................................127
Traction control
active light ................................11
Trailer towing ..............................91
tips .............................................93
Transmission .............................122
automatic operation .......88,89,90fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................122
Trip odometer .............................15
Trunk
remote release lever .................45
using the remote entry
system to open .........................51
Turn signal
lever ...........................................34
Universal transmitter ..................39
erasing channels .......................42
operating ...................................41
programming .............................40
Vehicle dimensions ...................148
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................150
Vehicle loading ............................91
Ventilating your vehicle .............82
Warning chimes ........................6,22
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts ...........102,103
Windows
power windows, operating .......45
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....115
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................126
operation ...................................34
Wrecker towing .........................108
Index
154