2000 FORD CROWN VICTORIA fuel pressure

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 and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. With your foot on the brake pedal and with the A/C on, put the
vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock must be reset once the battery is reconnected.
Maintenance and care
172

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

The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel system to work improperly in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a cancer-causing agent.
Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle before
fueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. Fuel such as
gasoline is highly toxic and if
swallowed can cause death or
permanent injury. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician immediately, even if no symptoms are
immediately apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be visible for
hours.
•Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel vapor of any kind
can lead to eye and respiratory tract irritation. In severe cases,
excessive or prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause serious
illness and permanent injury.
Maintenance and care
180

When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the “Service Engine Soon/Check Engine” indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel system to work improperly in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Maintenance and care
182

Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
Maintenance and care
187

To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades, windshield and rear window
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blade rubber
element with undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could be caused by
substances on the windshield or rear window such as tree sap and some
hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean the outside of
the windshield or rear window with a non-abrasive cleaner such as Ford
Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner, (E4AZ-19C507–AA), available from your
Ford Dealer.Do notuse abrasive cleansers on glass as they may cause
scratches. The windshield or rear window is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water. The windshield, rear window and wiper
blades should be cleaned on a regular basis, and blades or rubber
elements replaced when worn.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
•Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
•Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
•Never apply anything to the drive belt (including belt dressing).
Maintenance and care
197

quality ......................................183
running out of fuel .................183
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................179
Fuses ...................................139,140
Garage door opener ....................70
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............181
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................184
Gauges .........................................15
battery voltage gauge ...............19
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................18
engine oil pressure gauge ........19
fuel gauge ..................................15
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................16
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....131
definition .................................131
driving with a heavy load ......131
location ....................................131
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............131
calculating ...............................131
definition .................................131
driving with a heavy load ......131
location ....................................131
Hazard flashers .........................138
Head restraints ...........................92
Headlamps ...................................24
aiming ......................................194
autolamp system .......................25
bulb specifications ..................194
daytime running lights .............24
flash to pass ..............................25
high beam ............................11,25
replacing bulbs .......................189
turning on and off ....................24
warning chime ..........................15
Heating ........................................26heating and air conditioning
system .......................................26
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage
door opener) ................70,71,72,73
Hood ..........................................155
Ignition .......................................204
positions of the ignition ...........65
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................112
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................188
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................198
cluster ...................................8,199
lighting up
panel and interior .....................24
location of components ..............8
Jump-starting your vehicle ......148
Keyless entry system .................87
autolock .....................................81
keypad .......................................87
programming entry code .........88
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........65
Lamps
autolamp system .......................25
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................194
cargo lamps ...............................24
daytime running light ...............24
headlamps .................................24
headlamps, flash to pass ..........25
instrument panel, dimming .....24
interior lamps ....................24,193
replacing bulbs .........189,191,193
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................64
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................10
air suspension ...........................12
Index
221

anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....11,123
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................12
check engine ...............................9
high beam .................................11
low coolant ................................10
low fuel ........................................8
oil pressure ...............................12
overdrive off ..............................13
safety belt .................................10
speed control ............................70
traction control active ..............13
turn signal indicator .................11
Load limits .................................131
GAWR ......................................131
GVWR ......................................131
trailer towing ..........................131
Locks
autolock .....................................81
childproof ..................................79
doors ..........................................78
Lubricant specifications ....202,204
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................147
Lumbar support, seats ...............96
Message center ...........................20
reset button ..............................20
select button .............................21
Mirrors
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................74
cleaning ...................................196
side view mirrors (power) .......78
Motorcraft parts .................184,201
Octane rating ............................183
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................157
Overdrive ..............................66,129
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................83
Parking brake ............................123
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....201Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................142
Power door locks ...................78,81
Power steering ..........................126
fluid, checking and adding ....168
fluid, refill capacity ................201
fluid, specifications ..........202,204
Radio ............................................35
Relays .................................139,144
Remote entry system ............80,83
illuminated entry ......................83
locking/unlocking doors ...........80
opening the trunk .....................83
panic alarm ...............................83
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................85
replacing the batteries .............84
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) .........14,96,97,98,99,100
Safety defects, reporting ..........218
Safety restraints ....96,97,98,99,100
belt minder .............................102
cleaning the
safety belts .......................105,199
extension assembly ................101
for adults .........................97,98,99
for children ......................110,111
lap belt ....................................100
warning light
and chime ...............10,14,101,102
Safety seats for children ..........112
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............96
Seats ............................................92
child safety seats ....................112
cleaning ............................199,200
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ....................85,86
Servicing your vehicle ..............154
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................201,204
Special notice ................................3
Index
222