LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 Owners Manual

176ignition switch is in the ON position and the
shutoff switch is in the OFF position. ªCHECK AIR
RIDEº will appear when a system fault has been
detected and the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
Normal vehicle operation does not require any
action by the driver.
The air suspension switch Ð located behind
the left-hand vertical trim panel in the trunk
File:09fngf8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996

177
WARNING
Holdthebrak epeda ldow nwhil eyou

178To move the shifter out of P (Park), the ignition
key must be turned to the ON position. This
vehicle is also equipped with the brake shift
interlock safety feature which prevents shifting the
transmission out of the P (Park) position without
the brake pedal being depressed if the key is in the
ON position.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. Thisfeature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be moved
from P (Park) with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
2. Apply parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise to
the first position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is possible
that a fuse has blown and that your brakelamps
may also not be functional. Please refer to the
Servicing Your Mark VIIIchapter for instructions on
checking and replacing fuses.
File:09fngf8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996

179
WARNING
DO NO TDRIV EYOU RVEHICLE
File:09fngf8.ex

180R (Reverse)With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position, the
vehicle will move backward. You should always
come to a complete stop before shifting into or out
of R (Reverse).N (Neutral)With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position, the
vehicle can be started and is free to roll. Hold the
brake pedal down while in this position.DrivingYour vehicle's gearshift is console-mounted on the
floor. The Transmission Control Switch (TCS) is
located on the gearshift handle. The Transmission
Control Indicator Light is located on the instrument
panel. You can put the gearshift lever in any of the
several positions.The O/D OFF light is off (not illuminated) during
normal vehicle operation. This allows the
transmission to upshift and downshift from 1st
through 4th gears. When the TCS is pressed, the
Transmission Control Indicator Light will illuminate
(O/D OFF) on the instrument panel. When this
O/D OFF is illuminated, the transmission will
upshift and downshift from 1st through 3rd gears.
If O/D OFF light does not come ªONº when TCS
is depressed or if the light flashes when you are
driving, have your vehicle serviced at the first
opportunity. If this condition persists, damage could
occur to the transmission.
To return the transmission to normal operation (1st
through 4th gear) depress the TCS again. This
switch may be used to cancel overdrive any time
the vehicle is being driven. Each time your vehicle
is started, the overdrive system will automatically be
in the normal overdrive mode and the light will not
be illuminated.
File:09fngf8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996

181
When to use D (Overdrive)Overdrive is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transmission. It works the same
way Drive works, automatically upshifting or
downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows.
However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth gear Ð
an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle cruises at
an appropriate consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.When to use Drive (D Ð with
Transmission Control Switch activated)Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrain. If the transmission shifts back and forth
between Third and Fourth gears while you are
driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle does not
have adequate power for climbing hills, depress the
TCS.
You can depress the TCS at any speed.
When to use 2 (Second)Use 2 (Second) for start-up on slippery roads or to
give you more engine braking to slow your vehicle
on downgrades.When to use 1 (Low)Use 1 (Low) when driving down steep grades. It
gives more engine braking to slow your vehicle than
2 (Second) on the downgrades. You can upshift
from 1 (Low) to 2 (Second) or from 1 (Low) to
Overdrive at any speed.P (Park)Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
rotating.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn off the
ignition whenever you leave your vehicle.
File:09fngf8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996

182
Youca n tel la console-mounte dgearshif tis securely
WARNING
Neve rleav eyou rvehicl eunattended
WARNING
Do no texcee dtheGVW Ror the

183
Limiting Your Vehicle's LoadThe load that you add to your vehicle must not
exceed the maximum load stated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Decal attached to the left
front door pillar.
To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add the
weights of:q
the driver and passengers
q
luggage and any other items that you put in
your vehicle
q
the tongue load of the loaded trailer
q
the weight of any equipment that has been
added to your vehicle since it was delivered to
your dealerIf you do not know the actual weights of these
items, use the following procedure to figure the
weight of a load:
1. Weigh your vehicle without the driver,
passengers and luggage. You might take your
vehicle to a shipping company or an inspection
station for trucks.
2. Then weigh your vehicle with the driver,
passengers and luggage.
3. Subtract the first reading from the second to
figure the total weight of the load.
After determining this load, you must also make
sure that the total weight of your vehicle, plus the
load it carries, is less than its GVWR. Also, make
sure that the weight your vehicle carries over each
axle is less than the GAWR for the respective axle.
File:09fngf8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996

184
If you rvehicl eexceed sthe GVWR ,remov ecargo
WARNING
Imprope rdistributio nof you rvehicle's

185
WARNING
Towingtrailer sbeyon dthemaximum
WARNING
Do no tto w atraile rwhe nusin ga
Yo ushoul dals olimi tyou rtrailer' sloa dwhe nyou