LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 Owners Manual

186Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's
bumper. The bumper is not designed to bear the
load.
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's tires
when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).Using the hitchYour vehicle uses aload carryinghitch. Because
this type of hitch places the tongue load of a trailer
on the rear wheels of your vehicle, you must
distribute the load in your trailer so that only 10 to
15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the
tongue.
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and
change the weight on the hitch. This will prevent
damage to your vehicle and make your vehicle
easier to handle.
Connecting the safety chainsAlways attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the hitch
breaks.
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
attach them to your vehicle's frame or hook
retainers. Never attach the safety chains to your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed
to bear the weight of a trailer.
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in the
chains to allow you to turn corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
File:09fngf8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996

187
WARNING
Do no tconnec ta trailer' shydraulic

188If you tow in D (Overdrive) while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, press the
Transmission Control Switch located on the shift
lever. This will also give the engine more power
going up hills and better engine braking going down
hills.
If you use the speed control while you are towing
on very long, steep grades, the speed control may
shut off.
Servicing Your Vehicle If You TowIf you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle
will need to be serviced more frequently than usual.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
File:09fngf8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996

189
Roadside EmergenciesHazard FlashersThe flashers work whether your vehicle is running
or not. The flashers work for up to two hours
when the battery is fully charged and in good
condition without draining the battery excessively. If
the flashers run for longer than two hours or if the
battery is not fully charged, the battery can be
drained.
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a CollisionFuel Pump Shut-off SwitchIf the engine cranks but does not start even after a
small collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may
have been actuated. The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the fuel pump when your vehicle
has been involved in a substantial jolt.
Once the shut-off switch is actuated, you must reset
the switch by hand before you can start your
vehicle. The switch is on the left side of the trunk.
File:10fner8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:27:22 1996

190
Thefue lpum pshut-of fswitch
WARNING
If yo useeor smel lfuel ,do no treset

191
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking fuel.
If you see or smell fuel, do not start your
vehicle again.If you do not see or smell fuel,
you can try to start your vehicle again.FusesFuses (miniature and high current) protect your
vehicle's wiring system from overloading. If
electrical parts in your vehicle are not working, the
system may have been overloaded and blown a
fuse. Before you replace or repair any electrical
parts, check the appropriate fuses (miniature and
high current).
The following charts tell you which fuses or circuit
breakers protect the wiring for each electrical part
of your vehicle. If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker
opens a circuit,allthe parts of your vehicle that
use that circuit will not work.
Once you have determined which fuses to check,
follow the procedures underChecking and
replacing fusesin this chapter.The instrument panel fuse panel location
File:10fner8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:27:22 1996

192The instrument panel fuse box
File:10fner8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:27:22 1996

193
The Instrument Panel Fuses, Circuit Breakers and Relays
File:10fner8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:27:22 1996

194
File:10fner8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:27:22 1996

195
High Current FusesHigh current fuses are circuit protectors that are
part of the wiring harness for some electrical
equipment. These, like fuses, open when the circuit
load exceeds their amperage rating. High current
fuses may be purchased from your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
File:10fner8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:27:22 1996