brake light LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 Owners Manual

11
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning LightThis light comes on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition key to the START position. It
should go off shortly after the engine starts. If it
stays on longer than five (5) seconds, it indicates
that your anti-lock brake system may not be
working properly. Normal braking is not affected
unless the BRAKE system warning light also remains
on for longer than six (6) seconds. You should have
your vehicle serviced immediately by your dealer or
qualified service technician to restore the benefits of
the anti-lock feature. SeeAnti-lock brakesin the
Index for more information.
Engine Oil Pressure Warning LightThis light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not the
oil level. However, if your engine's oil level is low,
it could affect the oil pressure. The light will come
on briefly when you turn your key to the START
and ON position. The light should stay off when
the engine is running with normal oil pressure. If
the light comes on while the engine is running, you
have lost oil pressure and continued operation will
cause severe engine damage.
If you lose engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe
engine damage could result.
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine oil,
seeEngine Oilin the Index. If you do not
follow these instructions, you or others could
be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your
car should be on level ground.
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124. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again. Do
not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the
light is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact
your nearest dealer for further service actions.
For more information about adding oil, seeAdding
engine oilin theMaintenance and Carechapter.
Traction ControlHActive Light
(If equipped)This light comes on when the Traction ControlH
system begins applying and releasing the brakes and
adjusting the engine characteristics to limit a
wheelspin condition.
It will be lit for a minimum of six seconds or for
the duration of the Traction ControlHevent.
For more information aboutTraction Controlrefer
to theDrivingchapter.
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13
Cruise Control Indicator LightThis light comes on when the speed control system
is actively maintaining the set speed. It will go off
when the brakes are used or if the speed control is
turned off.
Charging System LightThis light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.This light illuminates every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine off).
The light should go off when the engine starts and
the alternator begins to charge.
If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine
is running, have the electrical system checked as
soon as possible.
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78The button that controls the rear window
defroster and heated outside rearview mirrorsBefore using the defroster, clear away any snow
that is on the rear window and outside rearview
mirrors. With the engine running, push the
defroster button.
After approximately 10 minutes, the defroster will
turn off. If the window or mirrors are still not clear,
turn the defroster on again.The defroster will turn off when the ignition key is
turned to the OFF or START position.
The heating elements are bonded to the inside of
the rear window. Do not use sharp objects to
scrape the inside of the rear window or use
abrasive cleaners to clean it. Doing so could damage
the heating elements.
The Interior and Exterior LightsDaytime Running Light System(Canadian vehicles only)The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system is
designed to turn the low beam headlamps on when
all of the following conditions are met:q
The headlamp system is in the OFF position,
and
q
The vehicle is running, and
q
The vehicle has a fully released parking brake.
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95
To Set a Higher Set Speedq
Press and hold SET ACCEL. Release the switch
when the desired vehicle speed is reached. OR
q
Press and release SET ACCEL. Each press will
increase the set speed by 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
OR
q
Accelerate with your accelerator pedal, then
press SET ACCEL.
You may accelerate with the accelerator pedal at
any time during speed control usage. Releasing the
accelerator pedal will return your vehicle speed to
the previously programmed set speed.
To Set a Lower Set Speedq
Press and hold COAST. Release the switch
when the desired vehicle speed is reached. OR
q
Press and release COAST. Each press will
decrease the set speed by 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
OR
q
Depress the brake pedal. When the desired
vehicle speed is reached, press SET ACCEL.
To Disengage Speed Controlq
Depress the brake pedal.
Disengaging the speed control will not erase the
previously programmed set speed.
To Return to a Set Speedq
Press RESUME. For RESUME to operate, the
vehicle speed must be faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h).
Indicator Lightq
Lights when either the SET ACCEL or RESUME
switches are pressed and remains lighted until it
is either disengaged or turned off.
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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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171
DrivingBrakesApplying the BrakesYour vehicle has anti-lock disc brakes on all four
wheels. They adjust automatically as the brake pads
wear down.
When you press down hard on the brake pedal, the
wheels will not lock and slide. The Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) automatically starts releasing and
reapplying the brakes at each wheel independently
whenever your wheels start to lock. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulsate. This
is an indication that the ABS is working correctly
and is normal.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor damage
may also eventually occur.NOTE:If you are driving down a long or steep hill,
shift to a lower gear and do not apply your brakes
continuously. If you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less effective.
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes louder or more frequent, have your brakes
inspected by your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
Ford Motor Company has not found any
detrimental effects of popular mobile radio
transmitting equipment installed on vehicles with
the anti-lock brake system, if the equipment is
installed according to the manufacturer's
instructions. However, if mobile radio transmitting
equipment is installed in your vehicle and, if either
the anti-lock brake system cycles or the ANTI-LOCK
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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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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.
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