How does the side air bag system work?
The design and development of the
side airbag system included
recommended testing procedures
that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as
the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing
procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of
side airbags.
The side air bag system consists of
the following:
•An inflatable nylon bag (air bag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
•A special seat cover designed to allow airbag deployment.
•The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used
for the front air bags.
•Two crash sensors located near the side of the vehicle.
Side air bags, in combination with seat belts, can help reduce the risk of
severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.
The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected
by the collision will be inflated. The air bag was designed to inflate
between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection
provided occupants in side impact collisions.
The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates air bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side air bags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
153
As your vehicle moves closer to the
obstacle, lights will illuminate in the
display and increase in number
(starting at two, then to four).
When the distance to the obstacle is
within 45 cm (18 in.), the number of lights will increase to six.
If the system detects a object that is
rapidly approaching the rear of the
vehicle at such a rate that
emergency braking is required, six
lights will rapidly flash on and off. If
the flashing lights are seen while you are in R (Reverse), slow down
immediately until the lights either stop flashing or are no longer
illuminated.
The extended rear park aid is
automatically enabled when the gear
selector is placed in R (Reverse)
and the ignition is ON. A park aid
control allows the driver to disable
the extended rear park aid only
when the ignition is ON, and the
gear selector is in R (Reverse).
The OFF indicator remains
illuminated when the system is
disabled. The system defaults to ON
every time the ignition is turned on. Press the control to disable or
enable the system.
The indicator will remain illuminated to indicate a failure of the extended
rear park aid.
Always keep the sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects). These elements may cause the
system to operate inaccurately.
If the vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
179
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 10A Lighting Control Module (LCM),
Left-hand low beam headlamp
2 15A Fog lamps
3 10A LCM, Right-hand low beam
headlamp
4 7.5A Instrument cluster
5 7.5A LCM, Instrument panel light
6 15A EATC, Heated seats
7 15A LCM, Autolamps/PAT/Sunload
sensors, Park/Tail lamps,
Cornering lamps
8 10A Shift lock, Speed control, Air
suspension
9 20A Hi beam headlamps (LCM)
10 10A Restraint Control Module (RCM),
Air bags
27 25
26 2423 21
2219
20
18 16
17 1514 12
1310
33
31
2932
30
28 11
97
8653
41
2RELAY
1
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
189
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
11 20A Stoplamps/Speed control
12 15A Instrument cluster, Anti-theft,
Ignition coils
13 10A Anti-lock brake module, Traction
control switch, ABS relay
14 15A Transmission control switch, LCM,
Decklid
15 15A Multi-function switch, Turn signals
16 7.5A Wiper Control Module (WCM)
17 10A Digital Transmission Range (DTR)
sensor, Back-up lamps, EC
mirrors, Back-up aide
18 7.5A LCM, Front radio control unit,
Electronic day/night mirror,
Compass module/Rear
audio/Climate control module,
TCU, Heated seats switch, Rain
sense, Door lock switches, OHC,
Rear heated seats switch
19 10A EATC, Clock, Instrument cluster,
PCM
20 7.5A ABS, Shift lock
21 15A Multi-function switch, Hazard
lamps
22 15A Multi-function switch, High
mounted stop lamps, Stop lamps
23 20A Datalink connector, I/P cigar
lighter, Rear door cigar lighters
(Long Wheel Base only)
24 5A Front radio control unit
25 15A LCM, Courtesy/Demand lamps
26 5A DTR sensor, Starter relay coil
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
190
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
13 15A* To alternator
14 20A* Rear door cigar lighters (Long
Wheel Base only)
15–Not used
16–Not used
17–Not used
18–Not used
19 15A* MAF sensor, DPFE sensor,
Injectors, PCM
20 15A* PCM, Canister vent solenoid,
VMV, HEGOs
21–Not used
22–Not used
23–Not used
24–Not used
101 50A** Ignition switch, Starter
102 50A** Cooling fan (variable speed)
103 40A** Blower motor
104 40A** Heated backlight, IP fuse 28
105 30A** EEC relay, PDB fuses 19, 20
106 40A** ABS module
107 40A** IP fuse 29, Delayed accessories
relay (windows, moon roof, radio)
108 30A** IP fuse 30, Memory seats, Power
seats, Lumbar, Adjustable pedals,
Memory mirrors
109 40A** Power decklid
110—Not used
111—Not used
112 40A** Ignition switch, IP fuses, 10, 12,
14, 16, 18
113 40A** IP fuses, 1, 5, 7, 9, 31
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
193
J
Jack ............................................194
positioning ...............................194
storage .....................................194
Jump-starting your vehicle ......199
K
Keyless entry system ...............121
Keys
positions of the ignition .........166
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................74
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................79
cargo lamps ...............................76
daytime running light ...............75
fog lamps ...................................75
headlamps .................................74
headlamps, flash to pass ..........76
instrument panel, dimming .....76
interior lamps .....................78–79
replacing bulbs ...................79–82
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................78
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........170
speed control ..........................102
Load limits .................................180
GAWR ......................................180
GVWR ......................................180
trailer towing ..........................180
Locks
childproof ................................114
doors ........................................113
Lubricant specifications ...257, 259
Lumbar support, seats .............129M
Message center .........................104
english/metric button .............108
reset button ............................105
warning messages .....................93
Mirrors ...................................85, 98
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................98
fold away ...................................99
heated ........................................99
programmable memory ..........120
side view mirrors (power) .......98
Moon roof ..................................103
Motorcraft parts ................241, 255
N
Navigation system .......................24
cd functions ..............................37
destination mode ......................50
map mode .................................41
quick start .................................26
radio functions ..........................30
O
Octane rating ............................240
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................225
P
Parking brake ............................171
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....255
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................134
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................99
Power adjustable foot pedals .....99
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
269
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................191
Power door locks ......................113
Power point .................................96
Power steering ..........................173
fluid, checking and adding ....247
fluid, refill capacity ................256
fluid, specifications .................257
Power trunk ......................109–110
Power Windows ...........................97
R
Radio ............................................17
Rear window defroster ...............73
Relays ........................................187
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ....................119
locking/unlocking doors .........116
opening the trunk ...................117
Reverse sensing system ...........177
Roadside assistance ..................185
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........147
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................133, 136–140
Safety defects, reporting ..........214
Safety restraints ........133, 136–140
belt minder .............................142
cleaning the safety belts ........220
extension assembly ................146
for adults .........................137–140
for children .............................155
lap belt ....................................141
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................134safety belt maintenance .........147
warning light and
chime ...............................141–142
Safety seats for children ..........158
Seat belts (see
Safety restraints) ......................133
Seats ..........................................128
child safety seats ....................158
cleaning ...................................218
easy access/easyout feature ..132
memory seat ...................120, 132
Servicing your vehicle ..............222
Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...................195
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................255, 259
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 259
Speed control ..............................99
Starting your
vehicle ........................166–167, 169
jump starting ..........................199
Steering
speed sensitive .......................173
Steering wheel
controls ....................................102
tilting .........................................85
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................85
Tires ...........................194, 251–253
changing ..........................194–195
checking the pressure ............253
replacing ..................................254
rotating ....................................253
snow tires and chains ............254
tire grades ...............................252
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
270