steering wheel LINCOLN AVIATOR 2003 User Guide

Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharpturn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Driving
185

•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power
the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain
and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keepall four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stopthe
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
Driving
186

Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb upthe hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steephill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stopany
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since
your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of AWD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Driving
188

Tires, Replacement Requirements
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that
originally provided by Ford Motor Company because it can affect
the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and/or serious
personal injury or death.
AWD vehicles are equipped with tires designed to provide for safe ride
and handling capability.
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that originally
provided by Ford Motor Company because it can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could lead to loss of vehicle control
or rollover and serious injury. Make sure all tires and wheels on the
vehicle are of the same size, type, tread design, brand and load-carrying
capacity. If you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an
authorized Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
If you nevertheless decide to equipyour AWD for off-road use with tires
larger than what Ford Motor Company recommends, you should not use
these tires for highway driving.
If you use any tire/wheel combination not recommended by Ford Motor
Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure.
Do not use “aftermarket lift kits” or other suspension modifications,
whether or not they are used with larger tires and wheels.
These “aftermarket lift kits” could adversely affect the vehicle’s handling
characteristics, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or rollover and
serious injury.
Tires can be damaged during off-road use. For your safety, tires that are
damaged should not be used for highway driving because they are more
likely to blow out or fail.
You should carefully observe the recommended tire inflation pressure
found on the safety compliance certification label attached to the left
front door lock facing or door latch post pillar. Failure to follow tire
pressure recommendations can adversely affect the way your vehicle
handles. Do not exceed the Ford Motor Company recommended pressure
even if it is less than the maximum pressure allowed for the tire.
Driving
189

The relays are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay Location Description
Relay 1 Liftgate release solenoid
Relay 2 Open
Relay 3 Open
Relay 4 Trailer tow back-uplamps
Relay 5 Open
Relay 6 Open
Relay 7 Trailer tow battery charge
Relay 8 Trailer tow park lamps
Relay 9 Open
Relay 10 Puddle lamps
Diode 11 Open
Diode 12 Open
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Roadside Emergencies
211

The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may
compromise the integrity of your tires. The use of tire sealants
may also affect your tire pressure monitoring system (if equipped).
If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (if
equipped)in theMaintenance and specificationssection for
important information. If the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes
damaged, it will no longer function.
Spare tire information
The spare tire can be used as a spare or a regular tire and is identical to
the other tires on your vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, a spare tire of a different
size than the road tires should not be used. Such a tire could
make the vehicle difficult to control as well as result in damage to
driveline components.
Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. 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.
2. Park on a level surface, activate
the hazard flashers and set the
parking brake.
3. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
and turn engine OFF.
When one of the rear wheels is off the ground, the transmission
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the transmission is in P (Park).
Roadside Emergencies
212

•Wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or
windshield washer solution. Be sure to replace wiper blades when they
appear worn or do not function properly.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CLUSTER LENS
Clean the instrument panel with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
•Avoid cleaners or polish that increase the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the air bag system.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the painted surfaces.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
air bags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Ford Extra Strength Upholstery
Cleaner (E8AZ-19523–AA).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•Never saturate the seat covers with cleaning solution.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Cleaning
239

1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the range between the MIN and
MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap
back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will dropslowly 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 lampare 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 dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
The automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Maintenance and Specifications
265

Child safety restraints ..............151
child safety belts ....................151
Child safety seats ......................154
attaching with tether straps ..159
in front seat ............................156
in rear seat ..............................156
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............237
instrument panel ....................239
interior .............................239–240
interior trim ............................240
plastic parts ............................238
washing ....................................236
waxing .....................................236
wheels ......................................237
wiper blades ............................238
Clock ................................27, 38, 69
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................87
Console ........................................99
overhead ..............................67–68
rear ............................................99
Controls
power seat ...............................123
steering column ........................80
Coolant
checking and adding ..............251
coolant temperature light ........13
refill capacities ................253, 270
specifications ..................273, 275
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................76
Customer Assistance ................200
Ford accessories for
your vehicle ....................241, 278
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................228
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............232Getting roadside assistance ...200
Getting the service
you need .................................226
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................233
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................229
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............232
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................52
Defrost
rear window ..............................49
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................265
engine oil .................................245
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........273
Driving under special
conditions ..........................184, 187
sand .........................................186
snow and ice ...........................188
through water .................186, 190
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................41
E
Electronic message center .........86
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................219
Emission control system ..........263
Engine ........................................275
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
Index
282

replacing the batteries ...........106
Roadside assistance ..................200
Roof rack ...................................101
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............14, 133–136, 138
Safety Canopy ...........................148
Safety defects, reporting ..........235
Safety restraints ................133–138
belt minder .............................139
cleaning the safety belts ........143
extension assembly ................142
for adults .........................134–136
for children .............................151
warning light and
chime ...........................12, 14, 138
Safety seats for children ..........154
Seat belts (see
Safety restraints) ......................133
Seats ..........................................121
child safety seats ....................154
climate control ........................125
easy access/easyout feature ..124
memory seat ...................105, 124
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............114–116
Servicing your vehicle ..............242
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................270, 275
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................273, 275Speed control ..............................76
Speedometer ...............................16
Starting your vehicle ........164–166
jumpstarting ..........................219
Steering wheel
controls ................................76, 80
T
Tachometer .................................17
Tires ...........................211, 266–267
changing ..........................211, 215
checking the pressure ............267
replacing ..........................215, 268
rotating ....................................268
snow tires and chains ............269
spare tire .........................212–214
tire grades ...............................267
treadwear ................................266
Towing .......................................193
recreational towing .................199
trailer towing ..........................193
wrecker ....................................224
Traction control ........................170
active light ................................13
Transmission .............................174
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................265
fluid, refill capacities ..............270
lubricant specifications ..273, 275
Tripodometer .............................17
Trunk .........................................105
Turn signal ............................13, 55
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................275
Index
286