engine LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1997 User Guide

74NOTE:Your vehicle is also equipped with an
accessory timer. This allows some of your
accessories to remain on for up to 10 minutes after
the ignition is turned to the OFF position. The
accessory timer is cancelled if any door is opened,
the dimmer switch is used, or the ignition is turned
to the ON position.
The automatic transmission gearshift must be in P
(Park) to move the key to the LOCK position.
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
gearshift lever.
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to protect
your vehicle from theft.
OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel, or
the gearshift lever.ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning lights
to make sure they work before you start the engine.
The key returns to the ON position once the engine
is started and remains in this position while the
engine runs.
START cranks the engine. Release the key once the
engine starts so that you do not damage the starter.
The key should return to ON when you release it.
Key SystemThe vehicle is equipped with a master key and valet
key lock system. The master key will actuate doors,
trunk, glove box, ignition and remote trunk release.
The valet key will actuate doors and ignition only.
The valet key is marked ªvaletº.
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81
The lever to tilt the steering wheel
To change the position of the steering wheel, pull
the release lever on the column toward you. Tip
the steering wheel to the desired position. Release
the lever to lock the steering wheel in place.Speed ControlThe speed of the vehicle cannot be automatically
controlled until the vehicle speed is at or above 30
mph (48 km/h).
Use of radio transmitting equipment that is not
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or in
Canada the Canadian Radio and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved
may cause the speed control to malfunction.
Therefore, use only properly installed FCC (CRTC in
Canada) approved radio transmitting equipment in
your vehicle.
NOTE:Do not shift to N (Neutral) when using the
speed control. This will cause the engine to
overspeed.
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116Anti-theft SystemWhen armed, this system helps protect your vehicle
against break-ins or theft by monitoring all doors,
the hood, and the trunk lock cylinder.
When an unauthorized entry occurs, the system
triggers and will:q
flash the headlamps, parking lamps, interior
lamps, and alarm indicator light
q
honk the horn
q
prevent the engine from starting
NOTE:The factory installed Remote Entry System
has a PANIC feature that also chirps the vehicle
horn and flashes the interior/exterior lamps when
the PANIC button on the remote entry transmitter
is pushed.The PANIC alarm and the Anti-Theft
alarm are two separate features.Both the
anti-theft alarm and the PANIC feature can be
active at the same time.To tell the difference between a PANIC alarm and
a triggered Anti-Theft alarm:
q
only the Anti-Theft alarm will cause the alarm
indicator light (located in the center of the
instrument cluster) to flash on and off.
q
only the Anti-Theft alarm will prevent the
engine from starting.
For more information on the PANIC alarm, see
Remote Entry Systemin the Index.
Arming the SystemTo arm the system, do the following four steps in
sequence.
1. Remove the key from the ignition.
2. Open any door. The alarm indicator light will
start flashing to remind you to arm the system.
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118Disarming an Untriggered Anti-Theft
SystemYou can disarm the system by:q
unlocking a front door with the key (turn the
key all the way to the end of travel or the
system will not disarm).
q
using the keyless entry unlock code.
q
using the UNLOCK button of the remote entry
transmitter.
If you armed the system while inside your vehicle,
you can disarm it by turning the ignition to the ON
or ACC position. This allows you to open the door
and exit without triggering the system.
Triggering the Alarm SystemThe armed system will be triggered if:q
any door is opened without disarming the
system (see previous paragraphs), or
q
there is an attempt to remove the trunk lock
cylinder (simply pulling on the lock cylinder will
trigger a switch), or
NOTE:You can open the trunk with your key
without setting off the alarm.
q
the hood is opened.
Disarming a Triggered SystemThe alarm can be disarmed by:q
unlocking a front door with the key
q
using the keyless entry unlock code
q
using the UNLOCK control on the remote entry
transmitter
NOTE:The flashing lights and honking horn will
shut off automatically approximately three minutes
after the system is triggered. It will trigger again if
another intrusion occurs. However, the engine will
not be allowed to start until the system is disarmed.
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161
Starting
Fuel-InjectedEngines
WARNING
Do no tstar tyou rvehicl ein aclosed

1623. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and
the parking brake is set before you turn the
key.
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the
warning lights on the instrument panel to make
sure that they work. Refer to theInstrumentation
chapter.Starting Your EngineTo start your engine:
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.4. Turn the key to the START position (cranking)
until the engine starts. Allow the key to return
to the ON position after the engine has started.
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate
the steering wheel slightly because it may be
binding.
For a cold engine:
q
At temperatures10ÊF(-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do
not flood the engine, then try again.
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
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163
For a warm engine:
q
Do not hold the key in the START position for
more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If the
engine does not start within five (5) seconds on
the first try, turn the key to the OFF position.
Wait a few seconds after the starter stops, then
try again.
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the
key as soon as the engine starts. Excessive
cranking could damage the starter.
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.
NOTE:Your vehicle has an interlock that
prevents you from shifting out of P (Park)
unless your foot is on the brake pedal.If the engine does not start after two
attempts:
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
4. Release the ignition key when the engine starts.
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the engine
speeds up.
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been activated. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchin the index.
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164
Acompute rsyste mcontrol sth e engine' sidle
WARNING
Extende didlin gat hig hengin espeeds
W ARNING
Do no tpark ,idle ,or driv eyou rvehicle

166Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:q
your vehicle is raised for service
q
the sound of the exhaust system changes
q
your vehicle has been damaged in a collision
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet
vents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.If the engine is idling while you are stopped in an
open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least one inch (2.5 cm). Also, adjust
the heating or air conditioning system to bring in
outside air.
If you use the Electronic Automatic Climate
Control, set the fan speed selector dial to a medium
or high blower speed with the VENT or FLR & DEF
function buttons pressed.
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170Traction Assist
TM
(If equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Assist
TM
system. This system helps prevent
wheel spin in order to improve tire traction and is
an especially useful feature when you drive in hilly
areas or on slippery, icy or snowy roads.
Traction Assist
TM
works automatically by rapidly
applying and releasing the brakes to prevent one or
both of the rear drive wheels from spinning during
acceleration.
During the Traction Assist
TM
function, which most
often occurs during low speed acceleration on
slippery surfaces, a noise may be heard coming from
the engine compartment. This is normal and may
last for a few seconds during the acceleration of the
vehicle.
In general, this system improves your vehicle's
stability and acceleration performance when road
conditions warrant. Traction Assist
TM
is fully
effective up to approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).At 25 mph (40 km/h) the function begins to taper
off until it no longer operates above 34 mph
(55 km/h).
If the Traction Assis;
TM
system is cycled excessively,
the system will shut down to prevent the rear
brakes from overheating. A cooling down period is
required to prevent damage to the brakes. This time
period varies and depends on brake usage during
the cooling down period. Anti-Lock braking is not
affected and will function normally during the cool
down period.
After the cool down period, the Traction Assist
TM
function is restored.%Rear Air Suspension SystemYour vehicle is equipped with an automatic load
leveling rear air suspension system. This system
maintains the rear vehicle height at a constant level
by automatically adding air or releasing air from the
rear air springs to offset changes in vehicle loads.
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