Page 185 of 280

The air suspension shut-off switch is
located on the left side of the trunk.
If this switch is in the off position,
the rear air suspension will not
operate.
WARNING:On vehicles
equipped with air
suspension, turn off the air
suspension switch prior to jacking,
hoisting or towing your vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not require any action by the driver.
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle. The axle may
exhibit a slight noise or vibration in tight turns with low vehicle speed.
This is normal behavior and indicates the axle is working.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal depressed, it is possible that a fuse
has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not operating properly. Refer
toFuses and relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn the ignition to 2 (accessory).
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
185
Page 189 of 280

Forced downshifts
•Allowed in
(Overdrive) or Drive.
•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If necessary, try turning the Traction Control™ system off. This will
allow the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck vehicle. For
more information, refer toTraction Control™in this chapter.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The reverse sensing system sounds a tone to warn the driver of obstacles
near the rear bumper when the R (Reverse) gear is selected.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, please read and
understand the limitations of the reverse sensing system as
contained in this section. The park assist is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat
surface at “parking speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the
function of the RSS; this may include reduced performance or a false
activation.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, always use caution
when in R (Reverse) and when using the reverse sensing system.
WARNING:This system is not designed to prevent contact with
small or moving objects. The system is designed to provide a
warning to assist the driver in detecting objects to avoid damaging the
vehicle. The system may not detect smaller objects, particularly those
close to the ground.
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
189
Page 192 of 280

The radar sensor is located behind the rear bumper/fascia. Always
keep the rear bumper/fascia free from snow, ice and large
accumulations of dirt. These elements may cause the system to
operate inaccurately.
If the vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
192
Page 197 of 280
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
1 10A Starter relay coil
2 10A Restraint Control Module (RCM),
Occupant Classification Sensor
(OCS), Passenger Air bag
Deactivation Indicator (PADI)
3 10A Audio
4 10A Back-up lamps, Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS)
5 7.5A Lighting control module (LCM)
6 10A Passive Anti-Theft System
(PATS), Powertrain Control
Module (PCM) relay coil, Ignition
relay coil, Fuel relay coil
7 10A Wiper module
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
197
Page 198 of 280
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
8 10A Power Decklid Module (PDM),
Overdrive cancel switch, Cluster,
Compass module, LCM, Traction
control switch
9 7.5A Door lock switch illumination,
Heated seat switch illumination,
Electrochromatic mirror
10 15A Hazards
11 15A Turn signal
12 15A Audio
13 10A Extended rear park aide module,
Cluster
14 15A Adjustable pedals, Delayed
accessory relay coil
15 10A Dual Automatic Temperature
Control (DATC) module
16 20A OBD II
17 10A A/C cycle switch, Heated seat
modules
18 15A LCM (Interior lighting)
19 7.5A Driver’s Door Module (DDM)
switches, PDM, Power mirrors,
DSM, DDM, PATS LED
20 10A LCM (Right-hand low beam)
21 10A Analog clock, LCM (Illumination)
22 10A LCM (Left-hand low beam)
23 10A LCM
24 15A LCM (High beams), Multi-function
switch (Flash-to-pass)
25 10A DATC module, Cluster
26 15A LCM (Park lamps, cornering
lamps, license lamps)
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
198
Page 201 of 280
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
13 10A* Rear air suspension module
(RASM)
14 20A* Stop lamp switch
15 15A* Lumbar, Fuel door
16 20A* Heated seats
17 – Not used
18 – Not used
19 15A* Injectors
20 15A* PCM
21 15A* Powertrain loads and sensors
22 — Not used
23 10A* Heated mirrors
24 – Not used
101 40A** Blower relay feed
102 50A** Cooling fan
103 50A** Instrument panel fuse box feed #1
104 50A** Instrument panel fuse box feed #2
105 30A** Starter relay feed
106 40A** ABS module (Pump)
107 40A** Rear defroster relay feed
108 40A** Power Decklid Module (PDM)
109 20A** ABS module (Valves)
110 30A** Wiper module
111 20A** Left rear power point
112 30A** RASM (Air compressor)
113 20A** Rear power point #2
114 20A** Instrument panel fuse box feed #3
115 20A** Rear cigar lighters
116 30A** Decklid pulldown module
117 20A** Cigar lighter
118 — Not used
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
201
Page 202 of 280

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
K201 Micro relay A/C clutch
K202 — Not used
K203 Micro relay Ignition coil
K204 Micro relay PCM
K205 — Not used
K206 Micro relay Fuel
K207 — Not used
K208 — Not used
K209 Micro relay Horn
K301 Mini relay Starter
K302 Mini relay RASM (Air compressor)
K303 Mini relay Blower
K304 Mini relay Rear defroster
D501 — Not used
D502 Diode Reverse battery
D503 Diode Horn, Door latch
CB601 20A Circuit
BreakerPower seats, driver seat module
CB602 20A Circuit
BreakerDelayed accessory relay for
windows, audio
* Mini Fuses ** Cartridge Fuses
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare tire is in use. To restore the full functionality
of the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensors, refer toTire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
202
Page 205 of 280

Full-size Matching Spare Tire/Wheel Information
This spare tire/wheel will match the road tire/wheel. When driving with
the full size matching spare tire/wheel, do not exceed 70 mph
(113 km/h). It is intended for temporary use only. This means if you
need to use it, you should replace it as soon as possible.
Tire change procedure
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), the system indicator light will illuminate when the spare
is in use. To restore the full functionality of the TPMS system, all road
wheels equipped with the tire pressure monitoring sensors must be
mounted on the vehicle
If your vehicle is equipped with TPMS, have a flat tire serviced by an
authorized dealer in order to prevent damage to the TPMS sensor, refer
toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as
possible.
WARNING:When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transmission alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or
slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
WARNING:To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change a tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in
both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and
end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
WARNING:If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
WARNING:Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the
wheel.
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
205