•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.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling. For additional information, refer toAutomatic
transmission operationin theDrivingchapter.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
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 to a lower gear. 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.
•If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
the lubricant specification. Remember that regardless of the rear axle
lube used, do not tow a trailer for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of a
new vehicle, and that the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing be done
at no faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) with no full throttle starts.
•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.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
173
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.
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
189
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA
Before exporting your vehicle to a foreign country, contact the
appropriate foreign embassy or consulate. These officials can inform you
of local vehicle registration regulations and where to find unleaded fuel.
If you cannot find unleaded fuel or can only get fuel with an anti-knock
index lower than is recommended for your vehicle, contact a regional
office or owner relations/customer relationship office.
The use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without proper conversion may
damage the effectiveness of your emission control system and may cause
engine knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor Company/Ford of
Canada is not responsible for any damage caused by use of improper
fuel. Using leaded fuel may also result in difficulty importing your vehicle
back into the U.S.
If your vehicle must be serviced while you are traveling or living in
Central America, the Caribbean, or the Middle East, contact the nearest
authorized dealer. If the authorized dealer cannot help you, contact:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
FORD EXPORT OPERATIONS
1555 Fairlane Drive
Fairlane Business Park #3
Allen Park, Michigan 48101
U.S.A.
Telephone: (313) 594-4857
FAX: (313) 390-0804
Email: [email protected]
If you are in another foreign country, contact the nearest authorized
dealer. If the authorized dealer employees cannot help you, they can
direct you to the nearest Ford affiliate office.
If you buy your vehicle in North America and then relocate outside of
the U.S. or Canada, register your vehicle identification number (VIN) and
new address with Ford Motor Company Export Operations.
Customers in the U.S. should call 1-800-392-3673.
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER’S LITERATURE
To order the publications in this portfolio, contact Helm, Incorporated at:
HELM, INCORPORATED
P.O. Box 07150
Detroit, Michigan 48207
2009 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Customer Assistance
223
replacing the batteries .............83
Reverse sensing system ...........189
Roadside assistance ..................193
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........101, 104, 106–109
Safety Canopy ...........................124
Safety defects, reporting ..224–225
Safety restraints ...............101, 104,
106–109
Belt-Minder...........................110
extension assembly ................109
for adults .........................106–109
for children .............................127
lap belt ....................................106
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................102
warning light and chime ........110
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................136
Safety seats for children ..........131
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................271
Seats ............................................93
child safety seats ....................131
easy access/easyout feature ..100
heated ........................................98
memory seat .....................82, 100
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................88
Servicing your vehicle ..............233
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................265, 270
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................267
Speed control ..............................54Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......177
Starting your vehicle ........175–177
jump starting ..........................210
Steering wheel
controls ......................................57
tilting .........................................47
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................47
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....160
Tires ...........................145–146, 202
alignment ................................153
care ..........................................149
changing ..........................202, 205
checking the pressure ............149
inflating ...................................147
label .........................................159
replacing ..................................151
rotating ....................................153
safety practices .......................152
sidewall information ...............154
snow tires and chains ............165
spare tire .........................203, 205
terminology .............................146
tire grades ...............................146
treadwear ........................145, 150
Towing .......................................171
recreational towing .................174
trailer towing ..........................171
wrecker ....................................216
Traction control ........................182
Traction-lok rear axle ...............185
Transmission .............................185
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....185
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................262
fluid, refill capacities ..............267
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
279