
WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If the vehicle is being towed using wheel lift equipment, the wheels being
raised should be brought to a height of 12 inches (30 cm) above the
non-raised wheels to prevent damage to the vehicle.
On Front Wheel Drive (FWD) models,if your vehicle is to be towed
from the rear using wheel lift equipment, it is recommended that the
front wheels (drive wheels) be placed on a dolly to prevent damage to
the automatic transaxle. If your vehicle is to be towed from the front
using wheel lift equipment, it is recommended that the rear wheels be
placed on a dolly to prevent damage to the vehicle.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
199

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 with a clean, dry
cloth, or use Motorcraft Dash & Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-38-A).
•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 TRIM
•Clean the interior trim areas with a damp cloth, then with a clean, dry
cloth; you may also use Motorcraft Dash & Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-38-A).
•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish.
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 Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•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.
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Cleaning
213

Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the seat-mounted side air bag. Such products could contaminate
the side air bag system and affect performance of the side air bag in a
collision.
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the
leather.
•To clean, use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl
Cleaner (ZC-11–A). Dry the area with a soft cloth.
•To help maintain its resiliency and color, use the Motorcraft Deluxe
Leather Care Kit (ZC-11–D), available from your authorized dealer.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing of
the clear, protective coating.
Note:In some instances, color or dye transfer can occur when wet
clothing comes in contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs, the
leather should be cleaned immediately to avoid permanent staining.
UNDERBODY
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY CAR CARE PRODUCTS
Your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer has many quality products available
to clean your vehicle and protect its finishes. These quality products
have been specifically engineered to fulfill your automotive needs; they
are custom designed to complement the style and appearance of your
vehicle. Each product is made from high quality materials that meet or
exceed rigid specifications. For best results, use the following products
or products of equivalent quality:
Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover (ZC-42)
Motorcraft Car Care Kit (ZC-26)
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Cleaning
214

A
Accessory delay ..........................48
Air cleaner filter .......................245
Air conditioning ....................27, 29
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................109, 116, 119
and child safety seats ............111
description ..............109, 116, 119
disposal ....................................122
driver airbag ............111, 117, 120
indicator light .................116, 121
operation .................111, 117, 120
passenger airbag .....111, 117, 120
side airbag ...............................116
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................178
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................225
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................169
Anti-theft system ........................86
arming the system ....................86
disarming a triggered system ..87
Audio system (see Radio) ...17, 20
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ....................242–243
fluid, checking ................242–243
fluid, refill capacities ..............246
fluid, specification ..................250
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................174–175
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........248
B
Battery .......................................223acid, treating emergencies .....223
jumping a disabled battery ....194
maintenance-free ....................223
replacement, specifications ...245
servicing ..................................223
BeltMinder .................................103
Brakes ........................................169
anti-lock ...................................169
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................169
fluid, checking and adding ....242
fluid, refill capacities ..............246
fluid, specifications .........248, 250
lubricant specifications ..248, 250
parking ....................................170
shift interlock ..........................172
Bulbs ............................................37
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....246
Cargo net .....................................71
Cassette tape player ...................17
Cell phone use ............................70
Changing a tire .........................138
Child safety restraints ..............123
child safety belts ....................123
Child safety seats ......................125
attaching with tether straps ..129
in front seat ............................127
in rear seat ..............................127
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............211
instrument panel ....................213
interior .....................................213
interior trim ............................213
plastic parts ............................212
washing ....................................210
waxing .....................................210
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
256

Reverse sensing system ...........176
Roadside assistance ..................185
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........108
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......................95, 98–102
Safety Canopy ...........................119
Safety defects, reporting ..........209
Safety restraints ............95, 98–102
belt minder .............................103
extension assembly ................108
for adults ...........................99–101
for children .....................122–123
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................96
safety belt maintenance .........108
warning light and
chime ...............................102–103
Safety seats for children ..........125
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................252
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............95
Seats ............................................88
child safety seats ....................125
front seats .....................88, 90, 92
heated ........................................29
memory seat .......................76, 92
Servicing your vehicle ..............216
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................21
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ............................139, 141
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................245, 250Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................248, 250
Speed control ..............................50
Starting your vehicle .......165–166,
168
jump starting ..........................194
Steering wheel
controls ......................................53
tilting .........................................44
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................44
Tires ...........................133–134, 138
alignment ................................152
care ..........................................151
changing ..................138–139, 141
checking the pressure ............136
inspecting and inflating .........135
label .........................................150
replacing ..................................138
rotating ....................................153
safety practices .......................152
sidewall information ...............145
snow tires and chains ............154
spare tire .................................139
terminology .............................134
tire grades ...............................134
treadwear ........................133, 151
Towing .......................................161
recreational towing .................164
trailer towing ..........................161
wrecker ....................................199
Traction control ........................171
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............246
lubricant specifications ..........250
Transmission .............................172
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....172
2005 Five Hundred(500)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
260