Page 123 of 304

The message center allows you to:
•see problems such as door ajar
and trunk ajar.
•check the on/off status of air
suspension, autolamp and speed
control systems.
•see a more accurate speed while
driving (this may not show the
same speed as your analog
speedometer).
•see how many miles/kilometers
you can drive before running out
of fuel.
•monitor the average fuel
economy.
•monitor the average speed.
•check the distance traveled during a trip on either Trip A or Trip B.
You can select different features for the message center to display by
using the message center controls located in the center of the
instrument panel.
Selectable features
Select
Each press of the SELECT control
will select a different feature as
follows:
•SPEED
•FUEL ECON
•DIST TO EMPTY
•AVG SPEED
•TRIP A/TRIP B
•E/M
For descriptions of the SELECT features, refer to“Message center
functions”later in this chapter.
REVIEW COPY
2004 Town Car(tow), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
123
Page 142 of 304

objects will not cause damage to the coded key, but may cause a
momentary issue if they are too close to the key when starting the
engine. If a problem occurs, turn the ignition off, remove all objects on
the key chain away from the coded key and restart the engine.
Theft indicator
The theft indicator is located on top of the instrument panel.
•When the ignition is in the 1 (OFF/LOCK) position, the indicator will
flash once every 2 seconds to indicate the SecuriLocksystem is
functioning as a theft deterrent.
•When the ignition is in the 3 (ON) position, the indicator will glow for
3 seconds to indicate normal system functionality.
If a problem occurs with the SecuriLocksystem, the indicator will flash
rapidly or glow steadily when the ignition is in the 3 (ON) position. If
this occurs, the vehicle should be taken to an authorized dealer for
service.
Automatic arming
The vehicle is armed immediately
after switching the ignition to the 3
(OFF) or 2 (LOCK) position.
The theft indicator will flash every
two seconds when the vehicle is
armed.
Automatic disarming
Switching the ignition to the 4 (ON) position with acoded key
(programmed to your vehicle)disarms the vehicle and allows the
engine to start. The indicator on the instrument panel will illuminate for
three seconds and then go out. If the indicator stays on for an extended
period of time or flashes rapidly, have the system serviced by your
dealership or a qualified technician.
3
2
1
5
4
REVIEW COPY
2004 Town Car(tow), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Locks and Security
142
Page 171 of 304

The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected
by the collision will be inflated. The air bag was designed to inflate
between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection
provided occupants in side impact collisions.
The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates air bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side air bags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the side air bag has
deployed,the air bag will
not function again. The side
air bag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by a qualified
technician in accordance with
the vehicle service manual.If
the air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
side air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front air bag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
REVIEW COPY
2004 Town Car(tow), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
171
Page 190 of 304

If the parking brake fails to release
after completing this procedure, use
the manual parking brake release
lever.
Pull the lever to manually release
the parking brake.
TRACTION CONTROL
For Traction Controlwarning lights refer toWarning Lightsin the
Instrument clusterchapter.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Traction Controlsystem (except on
commercial conversion packages). This system helps you maintain the
stability and steerability of your vehicle, especially on slippery road
surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads and gravel roads. The
system will allow your vehicle to make better use of available traction in
these conditions.
During Traction Controloperation, you may hear an electric motor
type of sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will
not“rev-up”when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior and should be no reason for concern.
The Traction Controlswitch,
located on the left side of the
instrument panel, allows the driver
to enable and disable the system.
The Traction Controlsystem will
automatically turn on every time the
ignition is turned OFF and RUN.
If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction
Controlsystem off. This may allow excess wheel spin to“dig”the
vehicle out and enable a successful“rocking”maneuver.
REVIEW COPY
2004 Town Car(tow), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
190
Page 210 of 304
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 10A Lighting Control Module (LCM),
Left-hand low beam headlamp
2 5A Back-up aide
15A Back-up aide, Fog lamps
3 10A LCM, Right-hand low beam
headlamp
4 7.5A Instrument cluster
5 7.5A LCM, Instrument panel light
6 15A EATC, Heated seats
7 15A LCM, Autolamps/PAT/Sunload
sensors, Park/Tail lamps,
Cornering lamps
8 10A Shift lock, Speed control, Air
suspension
9 20A Hi beam headlamps (LCM)
27 25
26 2423 21
2219
20
18 16
17 1514 12
1310
33
31
2932
30
28 11
97
8653
41
2RELAY
1
REVIEW COPY
2004 Town Car(tow), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
210
Page 211 of 304

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
10 10A Restraint Control Module (RCM),
Air bags
11 20A Stoplamps/Speed control
12 15A Instrument cluster, Anti-theft,
Ignition coils, PCM relay coil
13 10A Anti-lock brake module, Traction
control switch, ABS relay
14 15A Transmission control switch, LCM,
Decklid, A/C clutch relay
15 15A Multi-function switch, Turn signals
16 7.5A Wiper Control Module (WCM)
17 10A Digital Transmission Range (DTR)
sensor, Back-up lamps, EC
mirrors, DTR signal to back-up
aide
18 7.5A LCM, Front radio control unit,
Rear audio/climate control
module, Heated seat switch
illumination, Door lock switch
illumination, OHC, Rear heated
seat switch illumination, Mirror
switch illumination
19 10A EATC, Clock, Instrument cluster,
PCM
20 7.5A ABS, Shift lock
21 15A Multi-function switch, Hazard
lamps
22 15A Multi-function switch, High
mounted stop lamps, Stop lamps
23 20A Datalink connector, I/P cigar
lighter
24 5A Front radio control unit
25 15A LCM, Courtesy/Demand lamps
REVIEW COPY
2004 Town Car(tow), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
211
Page 240 of 304

•Do not use abrasives, as they may cause scratches.
•Do not use fuel, kerosene, or paint thinner to clean any parts.
•Wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or
windshield washer solution. Be sure to replace wiper blades when they
appear worn or do not function properly.
Do not use sharp objects, such as a razor blade, to clean the
inside of the rear window or to remove decals, as it may cause
damage to the rear window defroster’s heated grid lines.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CLUSTER LENS
Clean the instrument panel with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
•Avoid cleaners or polish that increase the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the air bag system.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the interior painted
surfaces.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
air bags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Extra Strength
Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-41).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•Never saturate the seat covers with cleaning solution.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
REVIEW COPY
2004 Town Car(tow), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Cleaning
240
Page 244 of 304
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front of the hood
in the grille.
3. Lift the hood until the lift
cylinders hold it open.
REVIEW COPY
2004 Town Car(tow), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
244