
Seating and Safety Restraints 128
Seating 128
Safety restraints 133
Air bags 147
Child restraints 155
Driving 166
Starting 166
Brakes 170
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 172
Air suspension 173
Transmission operation 174
Vehicle loading 180
Trailer towing 181
Roadside Emergencies 185
Getting roadside assistance 185
Hazard flasher switch 186
Fuel pump shut-off switch 186
Fuses and relays 187
Changing tires 194
Jump starting 199
Wrecker towing 204
Customer Assistance 205
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 214
Cleaning 215
Maintenance and Specifications 222
Engine compartment 224
Engine oil 225
Battery 229
Fuel information 237
Air filter(s) 251
Refill capacities 256
Lubricant specifications 257
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Table of Contents
2

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
9

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.6L SOHC V8 engine
1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Air filter assembly
4. Power steering fluid reservoir
5. Engine coolant reservoir
6. Battery
7. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
8. Engine oil filler cap
9. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated“cleaner-burning”gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•Your“Service Engine Soon”indicator may come on. For more
information on the“Service Engine Soon”indicator, refer to the
Instrument clusterchapter.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate
intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3,000 km–5,000 km (2,000 miles-3,000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
241

High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by
an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 ml (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toMotorcraft Part Numbers.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
DON’T ADD
DON’T ADD
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
250

Changing the air filter element
1. Release the clamps that secure the air filter housing cover.
2. Carefully separate the two halves of the air filter housing.
3. Remove the air filter element from the air filter housing.
4. Wipe the air filter housing and cover clean to remove any dirt or
debris and to ensure good sealing.
5. Install a new air filter element. Be
careful not to crimp the filter
element edges between the air filter
housing and cover. This could cause
filter damage and allow unfiltered
air to enter the engine if not
properly seated.
6. Replace the air filter housing cover and secure the clamps.
7. Replace the air inlet tube and secure the clamp.
Note:Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe
engine damage. The customer warranty may be voided for any damage to
the engine if the correct air filter element is not used.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
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Maintenance and Specifications
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•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.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.6L SOHC V8 engine
Air filter element FA-1668
Fuel filter FG-986B
Battery-standard BXT-65-650
Battery-heavy duty
1BXT-65-750
Oil filter FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-258
Spark plugs
2AWSF-32P
1Included in long wheelbase package.
2Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
255

A
Accessory delay ..........................97
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........147–148, 152
and child safety seats ............149
description ......................148, 152
disposal ....................................154
driver air bag ..................150, 153
indicator light .................151, 154
operation .........................150, 153
passenger air bag ...........150, 153
side air bag ..............................152
Air cleaner filter .......250–251, 255
Air suspension ...........................173
description ..............................173
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................231
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................170
Anti-theft system ......................126
Audio system (see Radio) .........17
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................175
fluid, adding ............................248
fluid, checking ........................248
fluid, refill capacities ..............256
fluid, specification ..................259
Auxiliary power point .................96
Axle
lubricant specifications ..257, 259
refill capacities ........................256
traction lok ..............................177
B
Battery .......................................229
acid, treating emergencies .....229jumping a disabled battery ....199
maintenance-free ....................229
replacement, specifications ...255
servicing ..................................229
BeltMinder .................................142
Brakes ........................................170
anti-lock ...................................170
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............170
fluid, checking and adding ....247
fluid, refill capacities ..............256
fluid, specifications .........257, 259
lubricant
specifications ..................257, 259
shift interlock ..........................174
Bulbs ............................................79
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....256
CD changer .................................21
CD-single premium .....................17
Cell phone use ..........................104
Certification Label ....................261
Changing a tire .........................194
Child safety restraints ..............155
child safety belts ....................155
Child safety seats ......................158
attaching with tether straps ..162
in front seat ............................159
in rear seat ..............................159
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............216
instrument panel ....................218
interior .............................218–219
plastic parts ............................217
safety belts ..............................220
washing ....................................215
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
Index
266