coolant level LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 Owners Manual

17
TachometerThe tachometerThe tachometer displays the approximate engine
revolutions per minute (rpm), or how fast the
engine is running.
You can drive your vehicle at most rpm points on
the tachometer but you must stay out of the red
zone.
Engine Coolant Temperature GaugeThis gauge indicates the temperature of the engine
coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not
at its proper level or mixture, the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
The engine coolant temperature gauge
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18The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into the
NORMAL band as the engine coolant warms up. It
is acceptable for the pointer to fluctuate within the
NORMAL band under normal driving conditions.
Under certain driving conditions such as, heavy stop
and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot weather,
the pointer may indicate at the top of the NORMAL
band.
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the NORMAL band, the engine is overheating
and continued operation may cause engine damage.
If your engine overheats:
1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safely possible.
2. Turn off the engine.3. Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE
COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE
ENGINE IS COOL.
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant to
your engine, seeEngine Coolantin the Index.
If you do not follow these instructions, you or
others could be injured.
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced as soon as possible.
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28
OTo START the Elapsed Time count when it
is stopped without resetting the counter,
briefly press the reset control for less than 2
seconds.
OTo reset the elapsed time counter, hold the
reset control down until the count reads
00:00:00 (about 2 seconds).
CompassPressing the COMPASS control will display one of
the following eight compass displays: North,
Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West
and Northwest.
For additional information on the compass operation
and for instructions to adjust the compass, see
Electronic Compassin this chapter.System CheckA press of the SYSTEM CHECK control causes the
M/C to cycle through a status of each of the
systems being monitored. For each of the monitoredsystems, the M/C will indicate either an OK
message or a warning message for two seconds. The
sequence of the system check report is as follows:
q
Engine Oil Life Status
q
Engine Oil Life Left
q
Engine Oil Level
q
Voltage Level
q
Engine Coolant Temperature
q
Engine Coolant Level
q
Washer Fluid Level
q
Doors Closed (Driver and Rightside)
q
Trunk Closed
q
Exterior Lamps (Head, Front Turn, Brake and
Tail)
q
Air Ride System
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33
DRIVER'S DOOR AJARÐ This warning message
is displayed when the driver's door is not
completely closed and the ignition switch is either
ON or in ACC mode.
RIGHT DOOR AJARÐ This warning message is
displayed when the right (passenger side) door is
not completely closed and the ignition switch is
either ON or in ACC mode.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPÐ This warning message
is displayed when the engine coolant is overheating.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off
the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and
level, and add coolant as required following the
instructions in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
If you do not follow these instructions, you or
others could be injured. If this warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer for
service as soon as safely possible.LOW OIL LEVELÐ This warning message is
displayed when your engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the
engine oil.
To check your oil:
1. Park your vehicle on level ground, turn off the
engine and wait at least 5 minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
2. Use the dipstick to check the oil. If the level is
low, add oil, but do not overfill.
If you are parked on a steep incline, the LOW OIL
LEVEL warning may come on when you start your
vehicle, even though the oil is at the correct level.
The oil level is monitored while the engine is off,
so that the oil can drain into the oil pan to be
measured. Some after-market devices such as
remote starters, if improperly installed, can cause
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34the engine to start without alerting the oil
monitoring system. This may also cause the LOW
OIL LEVEL warning to come on when you start
your vehicle, even though the oil is at the correct
level.
For further information about adding oil, seeEngine
oilin the index.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEMÐ This warning
message is displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining a proper voltage. If you are running
electrical accessories when the engine is idling at a
low speed, turn off as many of the electrical loads
as soon as safely possible. If this warning stays on
or comes on when the engine is operating at
normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as safely possible.
LOW FUEL LEVELÐ This warning message is
displayed when you have approximately 50 miles
(80 km) or less left before you run out of fuel.LOW ENGINE COOLANTÐ This warning
message is displayed when the engine coolant level
is low. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
turn off the engine and let it cool. Check the
coolant and level, and add coolant as required
following the instructions in theMaintenance and
Carechapter. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
ENGINE TEMP DATA ERRÐ This warning
message is displayed when the engine coolant
temperature information is missing or invalid. Check
the instrument cluster temperature gauge to assure
the engine is not overheating. If it is, stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and level
following the instructions in theMaintenance and
Carechapter. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured. Contact
your dealer for service as soon as safely possible to
correct the engine temperature data error.
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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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231
concentration in your vehicle is such that the
coolant will not freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during winter months. Never
increase the engine coolant concentration above
60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
Proper procedures for a complete coolant drain and
flush of the cooling system can be found in theCar
Service Manual.Following these recommended
procedures will ensure that the specified coolant
level and a 50/50 or appropriate mixture of coolant
and water is maintained.Engine Coolant Refill ProcedureWhen the entire cooling system is drained and
refilled, the following procedure should be used to
ensure a complete fill:
NOTE:It is imperative the following procedure be
adhered to. Failure to do so could result in damage
to your engine.
q
Remove coolant reservoir pressure cap.
q
Remove the engine coolant outlet tube fill plug
on the engine.
q
With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50
mixture of recommended cooling system fluid
and water to the coolant outlet tube fill neck
until the reservoir is full.
NOTE:DO NOT FILL COOLANT SYSTEM
THROUGH COOLANT RESERVOIR. COOLANT
WILL NOT ENTER ENGINE, WHICH CAN LEAD
TO ENGINE DAMAGE.
NOTE:Avoid spilling coolant on the front end
accessory drive belt, as this will allow the belt to
slip and become noisy.
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the coolant
reservoir.
q
Continue filling at the engine coolant tube fill
neck slowly while allowing air to escape.
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232q
Reinstall the engine coolant tube fill plug when
the system is full.
q
Select maximum heater temperature and fan
speed settings. Position control to discharge air
at A/C vents in instrument panel.
q
Start engine and allow to idle. While engine is
idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.
NOTE:IF AIR DISCHARGE REMAINS COOL AND
ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT
MOVE,SHUT ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY.
This is an indication of low coolant level and/or air
pockets in coolant system. Allow engine to cool and
repeat the previous steps.
q
Allow to idle until normal operating temperature
is reached. Hot air should discharge from A/C
vents. The engine temperature gauge should
maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of
the ªNORMALº range and the lower radiator
hose should feel hot to the touch.
q
Shut off the engine and allow to cool down.
q
After the engine cools down, recheck the
engine coolant level. Fill reservoir to the
COLD-FULL level as required.
q
Check for leaks at the draincock, block plug
and vent plug.
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use. Fill to COLD-FULL
level as required.
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233
Power Steering FluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid at least
twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid1. Start the engine and let it run until the power
steering fluid reaches normal operating
temperature. The power steering fluid will be at
the right temperature when the engine coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is
near the center of the NORMAL operating
temperature range.
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
back and forth several times. Make sure that
the cap assembly is installed at this time.3. Turn the engine off and check the level on the
power steering reservoir.
4. The fluid level is viewed through the sight
window on the power steering reservoir. If the
power steering fluid is below the middle line,
add fluid in small amounts, continuously
checking the level. Do not overfill.
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