2000 FORD CROWN VICTORIA tires

•Five tire rotation (for vehicles
with steel wheels and full size
spare tires)
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., “All Terrain”, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
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178

Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
Maintenance and care
179

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

Specification chart,
lubricants ............................202,204
Speed control ..............................66
Speedometer ...............................16
Starting your vehicle .........118,120
jump starting ..........................148
Steering
speed sensitive .......................126
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................65
Tilt steering wheel ......................65
Tires ......................144,175,176,177
changing ...........................144,145
checking the pressure ............177
replacing ..................................178
rotating ....................................177
snow tires and chains ............179
tire grades ...............................176
treadwear ................................176
Towing ................................133,177
recreational towing .................135
trailer towing ..........................133
wrecker ....................................153
Traction control ........................125
off light ......................................13
Traction-lok rear axle ...............130
Transmission .............................127fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................168
fluid, refill capacities ..............201
lubricant specifications ...202,204
Trip odometer .............................18
Trunk ...........................................90
remote release .....................76,83
Turn signal .............................11,64
Vehicle dimensions ...................204
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................206
Vehicle loading ..........................131
Ventilating your vehicle ...........121
Warning chimes ......................14,15
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................161
Water, Driving through .............136
Windows
power .........................................76
Windshield washer
fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid .....161
checking and cleaning ............174
operation ...................................64
replacing wiper blades ...........174
Wrecker towing .........................153
Index
223