2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA suspension

Seating and Safety Restraints 101
Seating 101
Safety restraints 106
Airbags 121
Child restraints 133
Tires, Wheels and Loading 145
Tire information 145
Tire inflation 147
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 160
Vehicle loading 165
Trailer towing 171
Recreational towing 174
Driving 175
Starting 175
Brakes 180
Traction Control™ 183
Air suspension 186
Transmission operation 187
Roadside Emergencies 192
Getting roadside assistance 192
Hazard flasher switch 193
Fuel pump shut-off switch 194
Fuses and relays 195
Changing tires 203
Lug nut torque 210
Jump starting 211
Wrecker towing 216
Customer Assistance 217
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 223
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 224
Cleaning 225
Table of Contents
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2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

Loadingchapter. When the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will
illuminate for 3 seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does
not turn ON, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For
more information on this system, refer toTire Pressure Monitoring
Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Air suspension (if equipped):
Illuminates when the air suspension
is turned OFF, the load limit is
exceeded or the air suspension
system requires servicing.
Low fuel (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is at or near empty
(refer toFuel gaugein this chapter
for more information).
O/D off:Illuminates when the
overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned OFF,
refer to theDrivingchapter. If the
light does not illuminate, have the transmission serviced soon, or damage
may occur.
Speed control (if equipped):
Illuminates when the speed control
is activated. Turns off when the
speed control system is deactivated.
Door ajar (if equipped):
Illuminates when one of the doors is
not completely shut and the ignition
is turned to ON. With the ignition in
RUN position, a tone will sound for one second (if a door is open).
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
O/D
OFF
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. OIL LIFE
— PRESS RESET IF NEW OIL
2. WASHER FLUID
3. AIR SUSPENSION (if equipped))
4. RECONFIGURABLE TELLTALES
—OK
— FAILED RED
— FAILED AMBER
Display Type
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu.
2. Press the SELECT control to
change the display.
Text Size
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu.
2. Press the SELECT control to
change text size.
Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the SELECT control to
change from English to Metric.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Door Ajar Warning cannot be reset
Coolant over temperature Warning returns after 10 minutes
Powertrain malfunction
Check fuel cap
Check air suspension
Low fuel
Overdrive ON/OFF Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to ON.
Trunk ajar
Low tire pressure
Tire pressure monitor fault
Tire pressure sensor fault
Check compass module
Low washer fluid
Change engine oil
DOOR AJAR.Displayed when a door is not completely closed.
POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION.Displayed when the powertrain is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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CHECK AIR SUSPENSION.Displayed when the air suspension system
is not operating properly. If this message is displayed while driving, pull
off the road as soon as safely possible. For more information, refer toAir
suspensionin theDrivingchapter.
LOW FUEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel condition.
Warning message can be reset by pressing the RESET button, but will
return after 10 minutes. If any other button is pressed besides RESET,
the message ’’PRESS RESET TO CLEAR’’ will appear in the Message
Center. Once this message disappears (after approximately 2 seconds),
press RESET to clear the warning.
TRUNK AJAR.Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
OVERDRIVE ON/OFF.Displayed when the overdrive is enabled or
disabled.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use (Note: this includes
the use of the optional full-sized matching spare tire and wheel). For
more information on how the system operates under these conditions,
refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
CHECK COMPASS MODULE.Displayed when the compass is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW WASHER FLUID.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer toWindshield
washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL.Displayed when the engine oil life remaining is
5 percent or less. When oil life left is between 5% and 0%, the CHANGE
OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil life left reaches 0%, the
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Both U.S. and Canada Federal regulations require tire manufacturers to
place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of
the tire and also provides a U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number for
safety standard certification and in case of a recall.
This begins with the letters “DOT” and indicates that the tire meets all
federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are the plant code
designating where it was manufactured, the next two are the tire size
code and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was
built. For example, the numbers 317 mean the 31st week of 1997. After
2000 the numbers go to four digits. For example, 2501 means the 25th
week of 2001. The numbers in between are identification codes used for
traceability. This information is used to contact customers if a tire defect
requires a recall.
Tire replacement requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide a safe ride and
handling capability.
Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the same size,
load index, speed rating and type (such as P-metric versus
LT-metric or all-season versus all-terrain) as those originally provided
by Ford. The recommended tire and wheel size may be found on either
the Safety Compliance Certification Label or the Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or edge of the driver’s door. If this information
is not found on these labels then you should consult your Ford dealer.
Use of any tire or wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the
safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. Additionally the use of non-recommended tires and wheels
could cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer
unit failure. If you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an
authorized dealer.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly
spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an
explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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ON, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. (If one or more
tires are flat, repair as necessary.) Check air pressure in the road tires. If
any tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the nearest
location where air can be added to the tires. Inflate all the tires to the
recommended inflation pressure.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Either cable type chains or SAE class S chains can be used.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
2008 Crown Victoria(cro)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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