Page 5 of 248

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible
damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment? In this guide, answers
to such questions are contained in comments highlighted by the warning
triangle symbol. These comments should be read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed to allow parts to adjust
themselves to other parts.
Drive your new vehicle at least 800 km (500 miles) before towing a
trailer.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand kilometers (miles) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
2003 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
5
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Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been
closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check
seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them.
Combination lap and shoulder belts
1. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle (the buckle closest to
the direction the tongue is coming
from) until you hear a snap and feel
it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened in the buckle.
2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
Energy management feature
•This vehicle has a seat belt system with an energy management
feature at the front outboard seating positions to help further reduce
the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
•This seat belt system has a retractor assembly that is designed to pay
out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is designed to help
reduce the belt force acting on the occupant’s chest.
The front outboard and rear safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front outboard passenger and
rear seat safety belts have three types of locking modes described below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
2003 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
115
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Front safety belt height adjustment
Your vehicle has safety belt height
adjustments for the driver and front
outboard passenger. Adjust the
height of the shoulder belt so the
belt rests across the middle of your
shoulder.
To lower the shoulder belt height,
push the button and slide the height
adjuster down. To raise the height
of the shoulder belt, push the
button and slide the height adjuster
up. Pull down on the height adjuster
to make sure it is locked in place.
Position the safety belt
height adjusters so that the
belt rests across the middle of
your shoulder. Failure to adjust
the safety belt properly could
reduce the effectiveness of the
seat belt and increase the risk of
injury in a collision.
Lap belts
Adjusting the front center seat lap belt
The lap belt should fit snugly and as low as possible around the
hips, not across the waist.
2003 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
118
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instrument panel ....................194
interior .............................194–195
interior trim ............................194
plastic parts ............................193
safety belts ..............................195
washing ....................................191
waxing .....................................191
wheels ......................................192
wiper blades ............................193
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......47, 49
Clock ................................26, 35, 41
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................67
Console ........................................92
overhead ..............................64, 66
Controls
power seat ...............................109
steering column ........................81
Coolant
checking and adding ..............206
refill capacities ................209, 230
specifications ..................232–233
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................77
Customer Assistance ................162
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................196
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................184
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................188
Getting roadside assistance ...162
Getting the service you
need .........................................182
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................189
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................184Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................187
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................54
Defrost
rear window ..............................53
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................222
engine oil .................................200
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........232
Driving under special
conditions ..................................156
through water .........................156
E
Electronic message center .........86
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................176
Emission control system ..........220
Engine ........................................233
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................192
coolant .....................................206
fail-safe coolant ......................210
idle speed control ...................204
lubrication
specifications ..................232–233
refill capacities ........................230
service points ..........................199
starting after a collision .........163
Engine block heater .................146
Engine oil ..................................200
2003 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
241