maintenance LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 Owners Manual

3
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book
and search in the alphabetical listing for the word
that best describes the information you need. If the
word you chose is not listed, think of other related
words and look them up. We have designed the
Index so that you can find information under a
technical term.Canadian Owners Ð French VersionFrench Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.The Lincoln CommitmentThe Lincoln Commitment is more than the prestige
of owning a superior luxury automobile, it is a
comprehensive owner benefits package that is
designed to provide you with services to support
your every driving need. Refer to the Lincoln
Commitment brochure for more information.
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record BookletTheMaintenance Schedulebooklet lists the services
that are most important for keeping your vehicle in
good condition. A record log is also provided to
help you keep track of all services performed.About the WarrantiesYour vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:
Basic Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warranties
on certain parts, andEmissions Warranties.
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully to
find out about your vehicle's warranties and your
basic rights and responsibilities.
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses
and phone numbers on the first page of this
Owner's Guide.
File:02fnii8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 15:02:10 1996

4Ford Extended Service PlanMore Protection for Your VehicleYou can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only extended
service program with the Ford name on it and the
only service contract backed by Ford Motor
Company.
Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and
administered by Ford. It provides:q
protection against repair costs after your Bumper
to Bumper Warranty expires;
and
q
other benefits during the warranty period (such
as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for
certain maintenance and wear items).You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford Motor Company dealer. There are several Ford
ESP plans available in various time-and-mileage
combinations. Each plan can be tailored to fit your
own driving needs, including reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental. (In Hawaii, rules
vary. See your dealer for details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind
protection throughout the United States and
Canada, provided by a network of more than 5,100
participating Ford Motor Company dealers.
NOTE:Repairs performed outside the United States
and Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.
This information is subject to change. Ask your
dealer for complete details about Ford ESP coverage.
File:02fnii8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 15:02:10 1996

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.
File:03fnis8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 27 10:00:37 1996

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
File:03fnis8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 27 10:00:37 1996

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.
File:03fnis8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 27 10:00:37 1996

35
CHECK TRANS-MISSIONÐ This warning
message is displayed when the transmission is not
operating properly. If this warning stays on or
comes on, contact your dealer for transmission
service as soon as safely possible.
TRANS-MISSION OVERHEATÐ This warning
message is displayed when the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing
heavy loads, or driving in a low gear at high speed
for an extended period of time. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Check the transmission fluid and level
following the instructions in theMaintenance and
Carechapter. If this warning stays on or continues
to come on, contact your dealer for transmission
service as soon as safely possible.CHECK BRAKE LAMPSÐ This warning message
is displayed when you turn on the brake lamps and
at least one of them is burned out. Check the
lamps as soon as safely possible, and have the
burned out lamp replaced following the instructions
in theMaintenance and Carechapter. Note the
center high mounted stop lamp is not monitored.
CHECK HEADLAMPSÐ This warning message is
displayed when you turn on the headlamps and at
least one of them is burned out. Check the lamps
as soon as safely possible, and have the burned out
lamp replaced following the instructions in the
Maintenance and Carechapter. Note the high
beam lamps are not monitored.
CHECK TAIL LAMPSÐ This warning message is
displayed when you turn on the tail lamps and at
least one of them is burned out. Check the lamps
as soon as safely possible, and have the burned out
lamp replaced following the instructions in the
Maintenance and Carechapter.
File:03fnis8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 27 10:00:37 1996

36CHECK FRT TURN LAMPSÐ This warning
message is displayed when you turn on the front
turn lamps and at least one of them is burned out.
Check the lamps as soon as safely possible, and
have the burned out lamp replaced following the
instructions in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
LOW WASHER FLUIDÐ This warning message
is displayed when there is less than one quarter of
the container of washer fluid remaining. Check the
washer fluid level, and refill the reservoir following
the instructions in theMaintenance and Care
chapter.
TRUNK AJARÐ This warning message is
displayed when the trunk is not completely closed
and the ignition switch is either ON or ACC.CHECK TRACTION CONTROLÐ This warning
message is displayed when the Traction Control
system is not operating properly. If this warning
stays on or comes on, contact your dealer for
service as soon as safely possible. For further
information refer to theTraction Controlsection in
theDrivingchapter.
TRACTION CONTROL DISABLEDÐ This
warning message is displayed when the Traction
Control system is temporarily disabled due to an
overheating condition. This may occur in normal
operation due to a prolonged series of high speed
traction control or braking events. This warning is
removed when the traction control system has
cooled down sufficiently to resume normal
operation. If this warning stays on, contact your
dealer for service as soon as safely possible. For
further information refer to theTraction Control
section in theDrivingchapter.
File:03fnis8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 27 10:00:37 1996

45
Check Engine Warning LightThis light illuminates when the engine's Emission
Control System requires service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON
position and the engine is off.
Air Bag Readiness LightThe air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone
to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this
light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn
off. This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance
of the air bag system is not required.
File:03fnis8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 27 10:00:37 1996

113
The electric remote control switchTo adjust the side mirrors:
1. Find the control switch in the driver's door
panel.
2. Select the right or left mirror by moving the
selector switch to R or L.
3. Move the mirror switch in the direction you
want to move the mirror.
4. Return the selector switch to the middle
position to keep the mirror in place.Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror
with harsh abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based
cleaning products.
Remote Control Fuel Filler Door
Release ButtonYour vehicle has a remote control fuel filler door
which cannot be opened from outside of the
vehicle. To unlatch the fuel filler door, push the
fuel door button on the driver side door. Refer to
theMaintenance and Carechapter for further
information.
File:05fncf8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 27 10:02:20 1996

149
q
and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits,
the air bag electrical system, the air bag readiness
light, the air bag power, and the air bag inflators.
Determining if System Is OperationalThe Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System uses a
readiness light and a tone to indicate the condition
of the system. The readiness light is in the
instrument cluster. When you turn the ignition key
to ON, this light will illuminate for approximately
six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates
that the system is operating normally. NOTE:
Routine maintenance of the air bag system is not
required.A problem with the system is indicated by one or
more of the following:
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
q
the readiness light will not light immediately
after ignition is turned on,
q
a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the problem
and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently,
have the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
File:06fnss8.ex
Update:Wed Jun 19 15:04:39 1996