•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel,do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
2008 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
197
Emergency towing
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat
towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•Vehicle is facing forward so that it is being towed in a forward
direction.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral). Refer toBrake shift interlock
in theDrivingchapter for specific instructions if you cannot move the
gear shift lever into N (Neutral).
•Maximum speed is not to exceed 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).
2008 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
210
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
2008 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
250
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the “MAX” line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your authorized dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
M
AX
2008 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
255
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........107
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............98, 101, 103–106
Safety Canopy ...........................122
Safety defects, reporting ..217–218
Safety restraints ..98, 101, 103–106
Belt-Minder...........................108
extension assembly ................107
for adults .........................103–106
for children .............................125
lap belt ....................................103
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................99
safety belt maintenance .........107
warning light and chime ........108
Safety seats for children ..........129
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................264
Seats ............................................90
child safety seats ....................129
easy access/easyout feature ....97
heated ........................................95
memory seat .......................79, 97
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................85
Servicing your vehicle ..............226
Spark plugs, specifications ......258,
263
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................260
Speed control ..............................52
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......170
Starting your vehicle ........168–170
jump starting ..........................203Steering wheel
controls ......................................54
tilting .........................................45
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................45
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....152
Tires ...........................137–138, 195
alignment ................................145
care ..........................................141
changing ..........................195, 198
checking the pressure ............141
inflating ...................................139
label .........................................151
replacing ..................................143
rotating ....................................145
safety practices .......................144
sidewall information ...............146
snow tires and chains ............157
spare tire .........................196, 198
terminology .............................138
tire grades ...............................138
treadwear ........................137, 142
Towing .......................................163
recreational towing .................167
trailer towing ..........................163
wrecker ....................................209
Traction control ........................176
Traction-lok rear axle ...............178
Transmission .............................178
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....178
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................255
fluid, refill capacities ..............260
lubricant specifications ..........260
Trunk ...........................................76
remote release ....................71, 78
2008 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
272