Engine LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 Owner's Manual

130Spare Key Programming ProcedureTwo electronically coded keys were supplied with
your vehicle, use one of these with the procedure
below:q
Using a coded key that you can start your
engine with, turn the ignition from the ON to
the OFF position.
q
Within 15 seconds, insert a new key into the
ignition and turn it to ON or START. The
vehicle does not have to be started.
If the key has been coded, the theft indicator will
illuminate for two seconds. The key can then be
used to start the vehicle.Repeat until all chosen keys have been coded
(max=8).
If the key coding failed, the theft indicator will flash
and the vehicle cannot be started. One of 3 causes
are possible:
q
The new key was not inserted within 15
seconds or
q
All 8 key codes have been stored or
q
The key does not have an electronic code
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165
Starting
Fuel-InjectedEngines
WARNING
Do no tstar tyou rvehicl ein aclosed

1663. 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.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.
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.
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167
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.
A computer system controls the engine's idle speed.
When you start your vehicle, the engine's idle
speed normally runs higher than when it is warmed
up. These faster engine speeds will make your
vehicle move slightly faster than its normal idle
speed. It should, however, slow down after a short
time. If it does not, have the idle speed checked.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle for
more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle checked.
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170Have 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 PNL-FLR
function buttons pressed.
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174Manual parking brake release leverThe parking brake is not designed to stop a moving
vehicle, but you can use the parking brake to stop
your vehicle in an emergency if the normal brakes
fail. However, since the parking brake applies only
the rear brakes, the stopping distance will increase
greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be
adversely affected.Always check the Brake Warning Light each time
you start your engine. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly
and will reduce the fuel economy.
Traction Control
TM
(If equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Control
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.
When the Traction Control system is controlling
wheelspin, an electric motor sound may be heard
from the engine compartment and engine
acceleration may seem slower. This is normal.
Traction Control
TM
works automatically by rapidly
applying and releasing the brakes and reducing
engine torque to prevent one or both of the rear
drive wheels from spinning during acceleration.
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175
NOTE:Engine torque reduction isNOTactive
when engine coolant temperature is below-10ÊF
(-23ÊC).
During the Traction Control
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 Control
TM
is fully
effective at all vehicle speeds.
If the Traction Control
TM
system is cycled
excessively, the brake portion of the system will
shut down to prevent the rear brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Control
TM
function
using engine torque will still control wheels from
spinning. A cooling down period is required to
prevent damage to the brakes. This time periodvaries 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 full Traction
Control
TM
function is restored.
Air Suspension SystemYour vehicle is equipped with an automatic load
leveling air suspension system. This system
maintains the vehicle height at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the air
springs to offset changes in vehicle loads.
A shutoff switch is located in the trunk behind the
left hand vertical trim panel. If this switch is in the
OFF position, the automatic leveling system will not
operate. The switch should be OFF whenever
jacking up the vehicle. ªAIR RIDE SWITCH OFFº
will appear in the Message Center when the
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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.
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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.
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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.
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