1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA trailer

Overdrive can be deactivated by
pressing the transmission control
switch on the gearshift lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive
Not shown on the display. Activate by pressing the transmission control
switch on the gearshift lever with the gearshift in the Drive position. The
O/D OFF indicator will illuminate in the instrument cluster. Transmission
operates in gears one through three. Drive provides more engine braking
than Overdrive and is useful when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to
Driving while you towin theTowing a trailerchapter.
To return to Overdrive mode, press the transmission control switch. The
O/D OFF indicator light will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission will automatically
return to normal Overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to cancel overdrive operation if the Overdrive
mode is not desired.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on
slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on
downgrades.
1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum
engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts can be made
by shifting to 2 (Second) or to
O/D
ON/OFF
O/ D
OFF
Driving
90

Overdrive. Selecting 1 (Low) at higher speeds causes the transmission to
shift to a lower gear, and will shift to 1 (Low) after vehicle decelerates to
the proper speed.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload: Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, passengers
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum total weight of
the base vehicle, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Carrying capacity for each
axle system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower weight capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. It does not come
from the factory fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are available
through Ford or Mercury/Lincoln dealers. Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least 3 200 km (2 000 miles).
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components
carefully after towing.
Driving
91

The amount of weight your loaded trailer should be no more than 907 kg
(2 000 lbs.).
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10 ±
15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the vehicle. To connect the
trailer's safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
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.
Driving
92

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.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule in your
ªService Guideº for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Driving
93

If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under any circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle's reduced
ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
If the mini-spare tire is used as a replacement for a rear wheel:
²Turn off the traction control switch (if equipped).
²Turn off the air suspension switch (if equipped).
Anti-theft lug nuts (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with this
feature, one of the lug nuts on each
wheel must be removed and
replaced with a special key. The key
and registration card are attached to
the lug wrench and stored with the spare tire. If you lose the key, send
the registration card to the manufacturer (not the dealer) to get a
replacement key. If the lug wrench/lug nut key assembly is lost, see your
nearest Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer who has access to the master set
of keys.Do not use an impact wrench with the anti-theft key.
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
1. Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make sure you hold the key
square to the lug nut. If you hold the key at an angle, you could damage
the key and the lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and apply pressure on
the key with the wrench.
3. Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction to remove the lug
nut.
Roadside emergencies
102

If your vehicle has been operated for an extended period at high speeds,
in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should
be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow the fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
2. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
5. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
6. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid level should
be within the top hole area on the dipstick.
7. If necessary, add fluid in 250ml (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
8. If an overfill occurs, excess fluid should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
If the fluid level is above the
crosshatch (hot operating range)
area after driving the vehicle for
approximately 30 km (20 miles),
excess transmission fluid should be
removed by a qualified technician.
P R N D 2 1
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
123

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety compliance label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the front door latch pillar
on the driver's side.
Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block, transmission, frame and
transfer case (if equipped).
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXX
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AIR BAG
Capacities and specifications
150

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