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.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•It is recommended to select the L (Low) gear position when additional
engine braking is needed. In situations such as prolonged downhill
driving on steep grades (i.e., driving in mountainous areas), additional
engine braking is needed to reduce the load on the vehicle’s regular
brake system to prevent them from overheating.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance
Informationfor more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift into the“L” gear
position. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
163
STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. LOCK, locks the automatic
transaxle gearshift lever and allows
key removal. This position also shuts
the engine and all electrical
accessories off without locking the
steering wheel. To lock the steering
wheel, remove the key then turn the
steering wheel.
2. ACC, allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to operate
while the engine is not running. This position also unlocks the steering
wheel.
3. RUN, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Starting your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
To avoid potential transmission damage at extremely cold temperatures
(below -20°F [-30°C]), it is recommended that the vehicle be warmed up
to normal operating temperature before driving at highway speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h). Normal operating temperature is normally reached
after 10 minutes of moderate driving or idling.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
165
•Make sure the gearshift lever is in
P (Park).
3. Turn the key to 3 (ON) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
167
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to
the description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the service
interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
241
specifications ..................248, 250
Exhaust fumes ..........................168
F
Fluid capacities .........................246
Foglamps .....................................34
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................178
Fuel ............................................231
calculating fuel
economy ............................60, 236
cap ...........................................233
capacity ...................................246
choosing the right fuel ...........234
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................239
detergent in fuel .....................235
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................231, 233, 236
filter, specifications ........235, 245
fuel pump shut-off switch .....186
improving fuel economy ........236
octane rating ...................234, 250
quality ......................................235
running out of fuel .................235
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................231
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......186
Fuses ..........................................187
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................55
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............233
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................236
Gauges .........................................14H
Hazard flashers .........................186
Head restraints .....................88, 93
Headlamps ...................................33
aiming ..................................35–36
autolamp system .......................33
bulb specifications ....................38
daytime running lights .............34
flash to pass ..............................35
high beam .................................35
replacing bulbs ...................38–39
turning on and off ....................33
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................25, 27, 29
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................55
Hood ..........................................217
I
Ignition ...............................165, 250
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................125
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................241
Instrument panel ........................45
cleaning ...................................213
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................35
J
Jack ............................................138
positioning ...............................138
storage .....................................138
Jump-starting your vehicle ......194
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
258
K
Keyless entry system .................80
autolock .....................................82
Keys
positions of the ignition .........165
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................33
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................38
daytime running light ...............34
fog lamps ...................................34
headlamps .....................33, 38–39
headlamps, flash to pass ..........35
instrument panel, dimming .....35
interior lamps ...........................37
replacing bulbs ...................37–42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................37
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........169
Load limits .................................155
Locks
autolock .....................................82
childproof ..................................73
doors ..........................................72
Lubricant specifications ...248, 250
Lug nuts ....................................145
Lumbar support, seats ...............89
M
Message center ...........................59
english/metric button ...............63
system check button ................64
warning messages .....................64
Mirrors ...................................45, 49automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................49
fold away ...................................49
side view mirrors (power) .......49
Moon roof ....................................54
Motorcraft parts ................235, 245
O
Octane rating ............................234
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................219
P
Parking brake ............................170
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....245
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................96
Power adjustable foot pedals .....50
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................190
Power door locks ........................72
Power mirrors .............................49
Power point .................................46
Power steering ..........................172
fluid, checking and adding ....241
fluid, refill capacity ................246
fluid, specifications .........248, 250
Power Windows ...........................46
R
Radio ......................................17, 20
Relays ........................................187
Remote entry system .................75
illuminated entry ................79–80
opening the trunk .....................76
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
259
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .....................242–243
lubricant specifications ..........248
Trunk ...........................................73
remote release ....................71, 76
Turn signal ..................................37
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................250
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................252
Vehicle loading ..........................155
Ventilating your vehicle ...........168W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................219
Water, Driving through .............184
Windows
power .........................................46
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....219
operation ...................................43
replacing wiper blades .............44
Wrecker towing .........................199
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
261