
Launching or retrieving a boat
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer
into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the
trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•causing internal damage to the components.
•affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles:
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral)
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h)
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km)
If a distance of 50 miles (80 km) or a speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your
local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
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USA English(fus)
Driving
144

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
401—Not used
501 Diode PCM
502 Diode A/C clutch
503—Not used
601—Not used
602 20A** Adjustable pedals, Power seat,
Locks, Decklid, Lumbar, Decklid
release (Police vehicle option)
* Mini fuse ** Circuit breaker/Maxi fuse
Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced
by qualified technicians.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may damage
your tires.
T-Type/Mini-Spare Tire Information
Your vehicle may be equipped with a T-type/mini-spare tire. This tire will
have the wordsTemporary Use Onlymolded into the tire sidewall. This
spare tire is consideredtemporary. Replace the T-type/mini-spare with
a tire of the same size, speed rating and load carrying capacity as the
other road tires as soon as possible.
When driving with the T-type/mini-spare tiredo not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the T-type/mini spare
tire
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Roadside Emergencies
155

•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel Driving Capability (if applicable)
•Load Leveling Adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional caution
should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a dissimilar spare tire/wheel and seek
service as soon as possible.
Tire change procedure
To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire,
be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions)
the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the
vehicle) to the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set parking
brake.
HOOD
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•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
2004 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
205

weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
DON’T ADD
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Maintenance and Specifications
210

Rear window defroster ...............37
Relays ................................147, 155
Remote entry system ...........75, 77
illuminated entry ......................79
locking/unlocking doors ...........76
opening the trunk .....................77
panic alarm ...............................77
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................79
Roadside assistance ..................145
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........104
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ............91, 94–98
Safety defects, reporting ..........176
Safety restraints ..............91, 94–98
belt minder .............................100
extension assembly ................104
for adults .............................95–98
for children .............................112
lap belt ......................................99
safety belt maintenance .........104
warning light and chime ..99–100
Safety seats for children ..........115
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............91
Seats ............................................87
child safety seats ....................115
front seats .................................87
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...................83–85
Servicing your vehicle ..............183
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................27
AM/FM/CD .................................24
AM/FM/Tape ..............................28AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................22
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................226, 230
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................228, 230
Speed control ..............................60
Starting your
vehicle ........................124–125, 127
jump starting ..........................161
Steering
speed sensitive .......................133
Steering wheel
controls ......................................63
tilting .........................................48
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................48
Tires ...........................155, 213–214
alignment ................................221
care ..........................................219
changing ..................155, 157, 161
checking the pressure ............219
label .........................................219
replacing ..................................224
rotating ....................................221
safety practices .......................224
sidewall information ...............215
snow tires and chains ............225
spare tire .........................155–156
terminology .............................214
tire grades ...............................214
treadwear ........................213, 223
Towing .......................................141
recreational towing .................144
trailer towing ..........................141
wrecker ....................................167
Traction control ........................131
Traction-lok rear axle ...............138
2004 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
241