tow LINCOLN LS 2003 Owner's Guide

In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state’s warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Since this
information is subject to change, please ask your dealer for complete
details about Ford Extended Service Plan coverage options, or visit the
Ford ESP website at www.ford-esp.com.
Customer Assistance
225

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available
from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the parts over time.
PAINT CHIPS
Your dealer has touch-up paint and sprays to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jam) to
your dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
Cleaning
233

•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
Maintenance and Specifications
261

J
Jack ............................................211
positioning ...............................211
storage .....................................211
Jump-starting your vehicle ......216
K
Keyless entry system ...............129
autolock ...................................128
Keys ...........................................120
positions of the ignition .........181
valet key ..................................120
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................77
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................81
cargo lamps ...............................79
daytime running light ...............78
fog lamps ...................................78
headlamps .................................77
headlamps, flash to pass ..........79
instrument panel, dimming .....79
interior lamps .....................81–82
replacing bulbs ...................81–85
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................81
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........184
Load limits .................................198
GAWR ......................................198
GVWR ......................................198
trailer towing ..........................198
Locks
autolock ...................................128
childproof ................................122doors ........................................120
Lubricant specifications ...274–275
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................215
Lumbar support, seats .............136
M
Message center .................106, 108
select button ...........................106
warning messages ...................110
Mirrors ...................................89, 92
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................92
fold away ...................................95
heated ........................................94
programmable memory ..........128
side view mirrors (power) .......94
Moon roof ..................................101
Motorcraft parts ................258, 271
N
Navigation system .......................24
cd functions ..............................35
destination mode ......................48
map mode .................................39
quick start .................................27
radio functions ..........................29
O
Octane rating ............................257
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................243
P
Parking brake ............................185
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....271
Index
284

checking the pressure ............268
replacing ..................................270
rotating ....................................268
snow tires and chains ............271
tire grades ...............................267
treadwear ................................267
Towing .......................................198
recreational towing .................199
trailer towing ..........................198
wrecker ....................................222
Traction control ........................186
Transmission .............................190
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................264
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
lubricant specifications ..274–275
Trunk .........................................122
remote release ................117, 125
Turn signal ..................................81
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................276Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
..........................................278
Vehicle loading
..........................198
Ventilating your vehicle
...........184
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......10
Washer fluid
..............................243
Water, Driving through
.............197
Windows
power
.........................................90
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................86
checking and adding fluid
.....243
replacing wiper blades
.............87
Wrecker towing
.........................222
Index
286