belt LINCOLN MARK VIII 1998 Owners Manual

Message center warning lights
The following warning lights are displayed directly above the message
center controls.
Safety belt
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned on to remind you to fasten
your safety belts. For more
information, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitor's the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD
II). This OBD II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your
vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
Thecheck engineindicator light illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the
VEHICLE
SETTINGDRIVER
SETTINGTRIP
ODO RANGE
RESET
N
S W
E
FUELECONOMY
DATE
TIMESYSTEM
CHECK
CHECK
ENGINEO/D
OFFANTI
THEFTT/C
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
9

O/D off
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON. It
also illuminates when the
transmission control switch been
pushed. When the light is on, the
transmission does not shift into
overdrive. If the light does not come
on when the transmission control switch is depressed or if the light
flashes when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced.
Anti-theft system
This light indicates the anti-theft
alarm system is armed. Refer to the
Controls and featureschapter.
Traction ControlYoff light
This light tells you that the Traction
Controlysystem has been turned
off using the Vehicle Settings menu
in the Message Center. The Traction
Controlysystem defaults to ªONº
(light is not illuminated) whenever
the vehicle is shut off and restarted.
This light will also illuminate if there is a total Traction Controlysystem
shut down.
If this lamp continuously stays on, contact your dealer for service as
soon as safely possible.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and either front door is opened.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
O/ D
OFF
ANTI
THEFT
T/ C
OFF
Instrumentation
11

Emergency seatback release lever
Lift the lever to release the
seatback.
It is not necessary to use the release lever for rear seat entry or exit.
The seatback remains unlocked with normal usage and locks only during
emergency stopping, upon impact, or on steep downhill grades.
Easy access/easy out feature (driver's side only)
This feature automatically moves the driver's seat backward when:
²the transmission is in N (Neutral) or P (Park)
²the driver's safety belt is buckled
²the ignition switch is turned to OFF.
The seat will move two inches forward (to the original position when:
²the transmission is in N (Neutral) or P (Park)
²the driver's safety belt is buckled
²the ignition switch is turned to ON.
Auto-Glide seats
This feature automatically moves the seat forward or rearward when the
seatback is tilted forward or rearward to allow ease of entry into the rear
seat.
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69

With the ignition OFF:
²the driver seat Auto-Glide will function when the gearshift is in N
(Neutral) or P (Park) and at least one of the vehicle doors is opened.
²the passenger seat Auto-Glide will only function when at least one of
the vehicle doors is opened.
If the ignition is ON:
²the driver seat Auto-Glide will function with the gearshift in N
(Neutral) or P (Park).
²the passenger seat Auto-Glide will function with the gearshift in N
Neutral) or P (Park).
Shifting the transmission:
²from N (Neutral) or P (Park) while the driver's seat is moving will
stop the seat where it is.
²back to N (Neutral) or P (Park) will continue seat movement.
The power seat controls must be used to move the seat if the gearshift is
not in N (Neutral) or P (Park).
Rear seat entry
To enter the rear seat:
1. Rotate the safety belt boot
rearward.
2. Enter the rear seat in front of the
safety belt.
3. Rotate the safety belt boot
forward to allow use by the front
seat passengers.
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70

SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Safety restraints precautions
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
To prevent the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they
can be properly restrained.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from
injury in a collision.
All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always
wear their safety belts.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt
assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that
are designed to be used as a pair. 1) Use the shoulder belt on the
outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. 2)
Never swing it around your neck over the inside shoulder. 3) Never use
a single belt for more than one person.
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71

Combination lap and shoulder belts
1. To fasten, insert the tongue into
the slot in the buckle.
2. To unfasten, push the red release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
The front and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front and rear seat passenger
outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes described below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
The vehicle sensitive mode is the normal retractor mode, allowing free
shoulder belt length adjustment to your movements and locking in
response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes
suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of
8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help
reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers.
Seating and safety restraints
72

Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt.
The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
²When a tight lap/shoulder fit is desired.
²Anytimea child safety seat is installed in the vehicle. Refer toSafety
Restraints for ChildrenorSafety Seats for Childrenlater in this
chapter.
How to use the automatic locking mode
²Buckle the combination lap and
shoulder belt.
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73

²Grasp the shoulder portion and
pull downward until the entire
belt is extracted.
²Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound. This indicates the safety belt is now in the automatic locking
mode.
How to disengage the automatic locking mode
Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the
vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.
Lap belts
Adjusting the lap belt
The lap belt does not adjust automatically. Adjust to fit snugly and as low
as possible around your hips. Do not wear the lap belt around your waist.
Seating and safety restraints
74

Insert the tongue into the correct
buckle. To lengthen the belt, turn
the tongue at a right angle to the
belt and pull across your lap until it
reaches the buckle. To tighten the
belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it fits
snugly across the hips.
Shorten and fasten the belt when
not in use.
Safety belt extension assembly
If the safety belt assembly is too short, even when fully extended, 20 cm
(8 inches) can be added to the safety belt assembly by adding a safety
belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extension
assemblies can be obtained from your dealer at no cost.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too
short for you when fully extended. Do not use extensions to change the
fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.
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75

Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The seat belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position...The safety belt warning light
illuminates for one to two minutes
and the warning chime sounds for
four to eight seconds.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding...The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver's safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
Safety belt maintenance
Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Check the safety belts to make sure there
are no nicks, wears or cuts. All safety belt assemblies, including
retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle assemblies (slide bar)(if
equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat
tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should
be inspected after a collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However,
if the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts
do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need
to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should
also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is
noted.
Failure to replace the safety belt assembly under the above
conditions could result in severe personal injuries in the event of
a collision.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety beltsin the
Maintenance and caresection.
Seating and safety restraints
76