2000 FORD CROWN VICTORIA change time

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing.
Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring
obligation.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of Severe Duty vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle, be sure to read the “Severe Duty Owner’s
Guide Supplement.” This book contains important operation and
maintenance information.
Notice to owners of natural gas fueled vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle, be sure to read the “Natural Gas Vehicle
Owner’s Guide Supplement.” This book contains important operation and
maintenance information.
Introduction
3

To control the temperature, select
any temperature between 18°C
(65°F) and 29°C (85°F) by pressing
the blue (cooler) or red (warmer)
buttons.
For continuous maximum cooling, push the blue button until 16°C
(60°F) is shown in the display window. The EATC will continue
maximum cooling (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a
warmer temperature is selected by pressing the red button.
For continuous maximum heating, push the red button until 32°C (90°F)
is shown in the display window. The EATC will continue maximum
heating (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a cooler
temperature is selected by pressing the blue button.
Temperature conversion
Press MAX A/C and DEF
at
the same time (for one second) to
switch between Fahrenheit and
Celsius.
If your vehicle has an English/Metric (E/M) control to change your
electronic instrument cluster display (if equipped) and the message
center display (if equipped) from English to Metric, this control will also
change the temperature display. Refer toElectronic Message Centerin
theInstrumentation Chapter.
NORM A/CVENTMAX A/C
OUTSIDE TEMP
NORM A/CVENT FLOOR FLR • DEF DEF
HI
LO
MAX A/C
OUTSIDE TEMP AUTOMATICOFFAUTO
Controls and features
30

If your changer does not work, it may be that:
•A disc is already loaded where you want to insert a disc.
•The disc is inserted with the label surface downward.
•The disc is dusty or defective.
•The player’s internal temperature is above 60°C (140°F). Allow the
player to cool down before operating.
•A disc with format and dimensions not within industry standards is
inserted.
Cleaning compact discs
Inspect all discs for contamination before playing. If necessary, clean
discs only with an approved CD cleaner and wipe from the center out to
the edge. Do not use circular motion.
CD and CD changer care
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Do not expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended
periods of time.
•Do not insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer
magazine.
Cleaning cassette player (if equipped)
Clean the tape player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after 10 to
12 hours of play in order to maintain the best sound and operation.
Cassette and cassette player care
•Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
•Do not expose tapes to direct sunlight, high humidity, extreme heat or
extreme cold. Allow tapes that may have been exposed to extreme
temperatures to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Do not leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not
being played.
Controls and features
62

To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is present in exhaust
fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle,
have your dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do
not drive if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and
could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked whenever:
•the vehicle is raised for service.
•the sound of the exhaust system changes.
•the vehicle has been damaged in a collision.
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive
harm.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped in an open area for
long periods of time, open the windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch).
Adjust the heating or air conditioning (if equipped) to bring in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
Starting
121

If the traction control indicator comes on and stays lit, either:
•the Traction Controlsystem requires service, or
•the customer has disabled the system using the traction control switch
located on the left side of the glove compartment.
The Traction Controlsystem will be on every time you turn the ignition
key from OFF to ON until you deactivate the system using the traction
control switch in the glove compartment.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
•underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•high crown in center of road
•high crosswinds
•wheels out of alignment
•loose or worn components in steering linkage
Speed sensitive steering (except police vehicles)
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked by your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving
126

•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When 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.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
Motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
Driving
135

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
168

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