
momentary clunk and ratcheting sounds. This is the front drivetrain
coming up to speed and engaging the front wheels, and is not cause for
concern.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring
system, the system indicator light may illuminate depending on how
much air is released from your tires and/or how long you drive the
vehicle under these conditions.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac , press the AdvanceTrac
button (refer to AdvanceTrac Stability Enhancement System in this
chapter) while driving in deep sand if you experience excessive engine
power reduction.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even four – wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in
2004 Navigator (nav)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus) Driving
247

If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
• Base Curb Weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
• Payload: Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
• GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum permissible total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver ’ s door pillar.
• GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver ’ s door pillar.
• GCW (Gross Combined Weight): The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
• GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): Maximum permissible
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer
• Maximum Trailer Weight Rating: Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
2004 Navigator (nav)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)Driving
252

(Overdrive) for 10 seconds, then return the gearshift lever to P (Park)
and release the brake. With the ignition still in the ON position, and all
doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand (without passengers) for several
minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to OFF.
3. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within 0 – 13 mm (0.5 in) of the reference
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 3.
5. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to ON.
Note: Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle is
higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer ’ s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer ’ s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer ’ s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer ’ s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle ’ s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
2004 Navigator (nav)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus) Driving
259

Fuse/Relay
Location Fuse Amp
Rating Passenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
5 7.5A* Brake On/Off (stoplamp) switch, Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) (keep alive power),
EATC control head, Body Security Module
(BSM) (keep alive power), Speed control
deactivation switch, Speed control servo,
SecuriLock LED, 3rd row seat relay coils,
Power liftgate module, Clock, Brake Shift
Interlock (BSI) solenoid
6 15A* Headlamp switch (parklamps and switch
backlighting feed), Parklamps, License
lamps, Foglamp relay coil, Trailer tow
electric brake controller (illumination), BSM
(autolamp parklamps), Floor console gear
selector lighting, Switch backlighting
module, Foglamp indicator
7 7.5A* Radio (Start signal)
8 10A* Rear window defroster switch, Heated
outside mirrors, Rear window defroster
indicator (climate control head)
9 — Not used
10 20A* Trailer tow back-up lamps relay, Trailer tow
7 – wire connector (back-up lamps), Trailer
tow parklamps relay, Trailer tow 7 – and
4 – wire connectors (parklamps)
11 10A* A/C compressor clutch relay, A/C
compressor clutch solenoid, Air suspension
compressor relay, 4x4 Integrated Wheel
Ends (IWE) solenoid
12 10A* Speed control relay, Speed control servo
2004 Navigator (nav)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus) Roadside Emergencies
269

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 may damage your tires. The use of tire
sealants may also damage your tire pressure monitoring system
(if equipped).
Your vehicle may be equipped with a conventional spare tire that is
different in one or more of the following: type, brand, size, speed rating
and tread design. If this is the case, this dissimilar spare tire is still rated
for your vehicle loads (GAWR and GVWR). Your vehicle is equipped with
a spare wheel that does not match the road wheels and is not equipped
with a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensor.
Spare tire information
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), the system indicator light will illuminate when the spare
is in use. To restore the full functionality of the monitoring system, all
road wheels equipped with tire pressure monitoring sensors must be
mounted on the vehicle
If your vehicle is equipped with TPMS, have a flat tire serviced by a
dealer or qualified technician in order to prevent damage to the TPMS
sensor. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
Location of the spare tire and tools
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Item Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper
Jack tools and jacking instructions Under the access panel located in
the floor compartment behind the
rear seat
2004 Navigator (nav)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus) Roadside Emergencies
275

Removing the jack and tools
1. Open the liftgate, then locate the access panel on the floor behind the
3rd row seat. Unlatch and remove the panel.
2. Remove the jack and tools assembly tray from the compartment by
turning the wing-nut counterclockwise to relieve tension against the jack
assembly tray.
3. Unsnap the wheel lug nut wrench, jack extension and handle from the
plastic tray. Remove the jack and instruction sheet from the tray
assembly.
Removing the spare tire
1. Fold the rear seat down. Refer to
Rear seats in the Seating and
safety restraints chapter.
2. Remove the jack handle and
winch extension from the tray and
assemble them.
3. Open the spare tire winch access
plug in the bottom of the
compartment located behind the 3rd
row seat, very close to the jack and
tools tray.
4. Insert the winch extension tool
assembly through the access hole in
the floor and engage the winch.
5. To remove the spare tire, turn the handle counterclockwise until the
tire is lowered to the ground and the cable is slightly slack.
6. Slide the retainer through the center of the spare tire wheel.
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.
2004 Navigator (nav)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)Roadside Emergencies
276

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
• We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
• We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check your Warranty Guide/Owner
Information Guide to find out which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
• Do not work on a hot engine.
• Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
• Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
• Keep all open flames and other lit material away from the battery and
all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
Note: Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
2004 Navigator (nav)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)Maintenance and Specifications
Maintenance and Specifications
305

Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds. Wash hands after handling .
For information on transmission operation after the battery has been
disconnected see “ Shift strategy ” in the driving section.
Because your vehicle ’ s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
2004 Navigator (nav)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)Maintenance and Specifications
312