If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular”unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as“Regular”that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of gasoline.“Premium”
unleaded gasoline should not be used (particularly in the United States)
if“Regular”unleaded gasoline is recommended because it may cause
these problems to become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see
your dealer or a qualified service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
240
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium—high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
242
2Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118-A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok rear axles.
For limousine, use 2.1-2.3L (4.50-4.75 pints) of Motorcraft SAE 75W-140
High Performance Rear Axle Lubricant XY-75W140–QL or equivalent
meeting Ford Specification WSL-M2C192-A for complete refill of rear
axles.
3Ensure the correct transmission fluid is used. Transmission fluid
requirements are indicated on the dipstick or the dipstick handle.
MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix
MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide
to determine the correct service interval.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 4.6L SOHC V8 engine
Cubic inches 281
Required fuel 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm (0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.4:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions mm (in)
(1) Overall length 5 471 (215.4)/5 623 (221.4)*
(2) Overall width 1 987 (78.2)
(3) Overall height 1 489 (58.6)
(4) Wheelbase 2 990 (117.7)/3 142 (123.7)
*
(5) Track - Front 1 611 (63.4)
(5) Track - Rear 1 673 (65.9)
*Denotes long wheel base
2003 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
259
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
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