
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
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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

Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended.
Only use oils“Certified For Gasoline Engines”by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). To protect your engine’s warranty use
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford
specification WSS-M2C153–H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel
economy and durability performance meeting all requirements for
your vehicle’s engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other oil
treatments or engine treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under
certain conditions, lead to engine damage which is not covered by your
warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the scheduled maintenance guide.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, start-up
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine application.
2003 Town Car(tow)
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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
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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.
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
255

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Capacity
Engine oil (includes
filter change)
7Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Super Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)5.7L (6.0 quarts)
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
Fill to line on reservoir
Power steering fluid Motorcraft MERCON
AT FFill to line on reservoir
Transmission fluid
2Motorcraft
MERCONVATF13.2L (13.9 quarts)3
Engine coolant4Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)15.0L (15.8 quarts)
Fuel tank N/A 71.9L (19.0 gallons)
Rear axle lubricant
5Motorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant2.4L (5.0 pints)6
Windshield washer
fluidMotorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateFill to line on reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on
the dipstick’s normal operating range.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
256

recommendations ...................228
refill capacities ........................256
specifications ..................257, 259
Exhaust fumes ..........................169
F
Fail safe cooling ........................235
Floor mats .................................112
Fluid capacities .........................256
Foglamps .....................................75
Fuel ............................................237
calculating fuel
economy ....................89, 106, 241
cap ...........................................239
capacity ...................................256
choosing the right fuel ...........240
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................244
detergent in fuel .....................241
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................237, 239, 241
filter, specifications ........241, 255
fuel filler door override ..........110
fuel filler door release ............110
fuel pump shut-off switch .....186
improving fuel economy ........241
octane rating ...................240, 259
quality ......................................240
running out of fuel .................241
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................237
Fuses ..................................187–188
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............239
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................241
Gauges .........................................15GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ..........................180
definition .................................180
driving with a heavy load ......180
location ....................................180
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................180
calculating ...............................180
definition .................................180
driving with a heavy load ......180
location ....................................180
H
Hazard flashers .........................186
Head restraints .........................128
Headlamps ...................................74
aiming ........................................76
autolamp system .......................74
bulb specifications ....................79
daytime running lights .............75
flash to pass ..............................76
high beam .................................75
replacing bulbs .........................80
turning on and off ....................74
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see
Garage door opener) ..................90
Hood ..........................................223
I
Ignition ...............................166, 259
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................158
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................246
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................218
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and interior .76
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
268