2000 FORD CROWN VICTORIA maintenance

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 6
Controls and features 24
Seating and safety restraints 92
Starting and driving
Starting 118
Driving 122
Roadside emergencies 137
Servicing
Maintenance and care 154
Capacities and specifications 201
Customer assistance 207
Reporting safety defects 218
Index 219
All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical including
photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation
in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation.
Copyright © 1999 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

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

Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
Engine coolant temperature (if equipped)
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let it cool.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter. If light
stays on or continues to turn on after the vehicle warms up, have your
vehicle serviced.
This light also illuminates briefly when the ignition key is turned to ON.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to remind you to fasten your safety
belts. For more information, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
AIR
BAG
Instrumentation
10

Brake system warning
•Standard instrument cluster
•Optional instrument cluster
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. Also illuminates if the
parking brake is engaged. If brake
warning lamp does not illuminate at these times, seek service
immediately. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low
brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the light remains on,
continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system is
disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning
light also remains illuminated with the parking brake released.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
!
BRAKE
P!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
11

Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Engine oil pressure (if equipped)
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and
add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off.
Air suspension (if equipped)
•Standard instrument cluster
•Optional instrument cluster
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. Also illuminates when the
air suspension requires repair, the
air suspension switch is OFF or the
load limit is exceeded. For
information on the air suspension system, refer to theDrivingchapter.
AIR
SUSP
CHECK
TRUNK AJAR LTR/100 kmAIR SUSPENSION
OVERDRIVE OFFDOOR
AJAR
LOW
WASHER
FLUID
km
MILES
/GAL
Instrumentation
12

Trip odometer
Registers the kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys. To reset,
depress the control.
Refer toElectronic Message Centerfor Trip A and Trip B features on
the optional instrument cluster.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains within the normal area (the area
between the “H” and “C”). If it enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the
ignition and let it cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
•Standard instrument cluster
0000
2030405060 70
80
90
100
110
120
10
20 406080100120
140
160
180MPHkm/h
000000
TEMPH
C
Instrumentation
18

•Optional instrument cluster
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate. If the gauge enters the red section, the engine
coolant andCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonindicators illuminate,
refer toWhat you should know about fail-safe coolingin the
Maintenance and care chapter.
Battery voltage gauge (if equipped)
This shows the battery voltage when
the ignition is in the ON position. If
the pointer moves and stays outside
the normal operating range (as
indicated), have the vehicle’s
electrical system checked as soon as
possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge (if equipped)
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle remains
in the normal range (the area
between the “H” and “L”).
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
N
O
R
M
H
C
VOLTSH
L
OILH
L
Instrumentation
19

Add oil if needed (refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified technician.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
The electronic message center only
works when the ignition is in the
ON position.
The message center allows you to:
•see problems such as door ajar,
air suspension, trunk ajar, washer
fluid low
•see how many kilometers/miles
you can drive before running out
of fuel
•see when overdrive has been deactivated
•monitor the average fuel economy
•check the distance traveled during a trip on either Trip A or Trip B
•monitor the average speed
Selectable features
Reset
Press this control to reset the
selected message center function to
zero. The only functions which can
be reset are:
•AVG ECON
•TRIP A or TRIP B
•AVG SPEED
CHECK
TRUNK AJAR LTR/100 kmAIR SUSPENSION
OVERDRIVE OFFDOOR
AJAR
LOW
WASHER
FLUID
DISTANCE
TO EMPTY
TRIP
AAVG FUEL
ECONOMY
TRIP
BAVG
SPEED
km
MILES
/GAL
RESET E/M SELECT
Instrumentation
20