check transmission fluid LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 Owners Manual

35
CHECK TRANS-MISSIONÐ This warning
message is displayed when the transmission is not
operating properly. If this warning stays on or
comes on, contact your dealer for transmission
service as soon as safely possible.
TRANS-MISSION OVERHEATÐ This warning
message is displayed when the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing
heavy loads, or driving in a low gear at high speed
for an extended period of time. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Check the transmission fluid and level
following the instructions in theMaintenance and
Carechapter. If this warning stays on or continues
to come on, contact your dealer for transmission
service as soon as safely possible.CHECK BRAKE LAMPSÐ This warning message
is displayed when you turn on the brake lamps and
at least one of them is burned out. Check the
lamps as soon as safely possible, and have the
burned out lamp replaced following the instructions
in theMaintenance and Carechapter. Note the
center high mounted stop lamp is not monitored.
CHECK HEADLAMPSÐ This warning message is
displayed when you turn on the headlamps and at
least one of them is burned out. Check the lamps
as soon as safely possible, and have the burned out
lamp replaced following the instructions in the
Maintenance and Carechapter. Note the high
beam lamps are not monitored.
CHECK TAIL LAMPSÐ This warning message is
displayed when you turn on the tail lamps and at
least one of them is burned out. Check the lamps
as soon as safely possible, and have the burned out
lamp replaced following the instructions in the
Maintenance and Carechapter.
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234Fluid level for power steeringUse only MERCONHATF power steering fluid.If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive your
vehicle for a long period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering pump.
Automatic Transmission FluidUnder normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transmission, since your
vehicle does not use up transmission fluid. Refer to
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for replacement
intervals. However, if the transmission is not
working properly Ð for instance, the transmission
may slip or shift slowly, or you may notice some
sign of fluid leakage Ð the fluid level should be
checked.
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid level
at normal operating temperature150ÊF-170ÊF
(66ÊC-77ÊC),after approximately 20 miles (30 km)
of driving. However, if necessary, you can check
the fluid level without having to drive 20 miles
(30 km) to obtain a normal operating temperature if
outside temperatures are above50ÊF(10ÊC).
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235
NOTE:If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in city traffic
during hot weather, or pulling a trailer, the vehicle
should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
the fluid to cool before checking.Checking the Automatic Transmission
FluidWith the vehicle on a level surface and the brake
fully applied, start the engine and move the gear
shift selector through all of the gears allowing
sufficient time for each position to engage. Securely
latch the gear shift selector in the P (Park) position.
Fully set the parking brake and leave the engine
running.
NOTE:Your vehicle should not be driven if the
fluid level does not appear on the dipstick tip and
outside temperatures are above50ÊF(10ÊC).
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back
into the filler tube and make sure it is fully seated.Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid level.
When checking fluid at normal operating
temperatures150ÊF-170ÊF (66ÊC-77ÊC), thefluid
level should be within the ªHOTº notched area on
the dipstick. When the vehicle has not been driven,
and outside temperatures are above68ÊF(20ÊC),
the fluid levels should be between the ªHOTº
notch and the tip end of the dipstick.
Adding Automatic Transmission FluidBefore adding any fluid, be sure that the correct
type will be used. Use only MerconHFluid, as
shown on handle.
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (250ML) increments through
the filler tube to bring the level to the correct area
on the dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL. If the level is
above the top hole on the dipstick, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified technician.
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236NOTE:Always dispose of used automotive fluids in
a responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about
recycling automotive fluids.
Automatic transmission dipstick
BatteryYour vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty it
may be replaced by a low-maintenance battery. See
Motorcraft Partsat the end of this chapter for the
proper replacement battery.
The low-maintenance battery has removable vent
caps for checking the electrolyte level and adding
water. The electrolyte level should be checked at
least every 24 months or 24,000 miles
(40,000 km) in temperatures up to90ÊF(32ÊC)
and more often in temperatures above90ÊF(32ÊC).
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the
level indicator. Do not overfill.
If the level gets low, refill the battery with distilled
water. If necessary, you can add tap water to the
battery, provided the water is not hard or does not
have a high mineral or alkali content. If the battery
needs water quite often, have the charging system
checked for a possible malfunction.
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296Anti-theft system
arming the system.......... 127
description............. 127
disarming an untriggered system.... 128
disarming a triggered system...... 128
triggering.............. 128
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 272
Assistance (see Customer assistance) . . . 271
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system)............ 49
Autolamp system (see Headlamps).... 78
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic overdrive..... 177
fluid, adding............. 235
fluid, checking............ 235
fluid, refill capacities......... 264
fluid, specification.......... 265
Axle
lubricant specifications........ 265
refill capacities............ 264
B
Basic vehicle warranty........... 3
Battery................ 236
acid, treating emergencies....... 237
battery saver............. 126
charging system warning light..... 13
disconnecting............ 212
how to service............ 236
jumping a disabled battery....... 209
maintenance-free........... 236
proper disposal, recycling....... 237
replacement, specifications....... 263
servicing.............. 236
when storing your vehicle....... 268
Brake fluid............... 225
brake warning light.......... 10
checking and adding......... 225
description............. 225
specifications............ 265
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299
Climate control system
air conditioning........... 69
electronic automatic temperature
control.............. 69
heating............... 69
Clock................. 82
Clutch
fluid reservoir............ 225
specifications............ 265
Combination lap and shoulder belts.... 138
Console, description.......... 115
Controls, mirrors............ 99
Convenience kit in cargo area...... 202
Coolant (see Engine coolant)....... 228
checking and adding......... 228
preparing for storage......... 267
refill capacities............ 264specifications............ 265
temperature gauge.......... 17
warnings.............. 228
Cooling fan.............. 217
Crankcase emission filter........ 263
Cruise control indicator light....... 13
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada............ 276
D
Daytime running light system...... 78
Defects, reporting............ 269
Dipstick................ 223
automatic transmission fluid...... 234
engine oil.............. 223
power steering fluid......... 233
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 213
Dispute Settlement Board........ 272
Doors................. 106
lubricant specifications........ 265
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311
Tires................. 238
changing.............. 201
checking the pressure......... 238
cleaning.............. 262
inspection and maintenance...... 238
replacing.............. 240
rotating............... 239
snow tires and chains........ 242
spare tire.............. 202
storing your vehicle......... 268
tire grades............. 241
treadwear.............. 241
wear bands............. 240
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 184
Towing your vehicle.......... 213
using wheel dollies.......... 213
with a tow truck........... 213
Traction Control active light....... 12Trailer towing............. 184
calculating maximum trailer weight . . . 184
safety chains............. 186
tips................ 187
trailer brakes............ 187
trailer lamps............. 187
Transmission
automatic operation.......... 177
fluid, checking and adding....... 235
fluid, refill capacities......... 264
lubricant specifications........ 265
Transmission control switch....... 180
Trunk, using the remote entry system
to open............... 123
Trunk, power release.......... 118
Tune-up specifications (VECI)....... 252
Turn signal.............. 85
indicator lights............ 14
lever................ 85
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