coolant level LINCOLN MARK VIII 1998 Owners Manual

Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer in the red zone may damage
the engine.
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
5
6
0 123
4
7
RPMx1000
20406080
100
120
1404080120
200160
MPHkm/h
000000.0
0
Instrumentation
13

3. Press the RESET control to enter
the calibration mode. The display
will show CIRCLE SLOWLY TO CAL.
4. Slowly drive the vehicle at less
than 5 km/h (3 mph) in a circle,
taking at least 20 seconds to
complete one circle, until the
display shows a direction (north,
south, etc.).
5. The compass is now calibrated.
If the message center display shows CHECK COMPASS SYSTEM during
any of the compass adjustment
procedures, contact your dealer.
System check
Pressing this control causes the
message center to cycle through a
status of each of the systems being
monitored.
The sequence of the system check
report is as follows:
²engine oil life status
²engine oil life left
²engine oil level
²voltage level
²engine coolant temperature
²engine coolant level
²washer fluid level
²doors closed (driver and passenger side)
²trunk closed
²exterior lamps (head, front turn, brake and tail)
²air ride system
²traction control
²fuel level
²kilometers to empty (miles to empty)
RESET
N
S W
E DATE
TIMESYSTEM
CHECK
RESET
N
S W
E DATE
TIMESYSTEM
CHECK
Instrumentation
24

Driver's door ajar Warning cannot be reset
Right door ajar
Check engine temp Warning returns after 10 minutes
Low oil level
Check charging system
Low fuel level
Low engine coolant
Engine temp data err
Check transmission
Transmission overheat
Check brake lamps Warning returns after the ignition
key is turned from OFF to ON or
system check sequence is
completed Check headlamps
Check taillamps
Check front turn lamps
Low washer fluid
Trunk ajar
Check traction control
Air ride switch off
Check air ride system
Oil change required
Change oil soon
Gear display data err
DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR. Displayed when the driver's door is not
completely closed and the ignition switch is either ON or in ACC mode.
RIGHT DOOR AJAR. Displayed when the passenger side door is not
completely closed and the ignition switch either ON or in ACC mode.
CHECK ENGINE TEMP. 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 coolant level. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as safely
possible.
Instrumentation
27

LOW OIL LEVEL. Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
If you are parked on a steep incline, the LOW OIL LEVEL message 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 aftermarket devices
such as remote starters, if improperly installed, can cause the engine to
start without alerting the oil monitoring system. This may also cause the
warning to appear when the vehicle is started, even though the oil level
is correct. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and carechapter for
information about adding engine oil.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM. Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the 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 LEVEL. Displayed when you have approximately 80 km (50
miles) or less left before you run out of fuel.
LOW ENGINE COOLANT. 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. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
ENGINE TEMP DATA ERR. Displayed when the engine coolant
temperature information is missing or invalid. Check the instrument
cluster temperature gauge. If the gauge indicates overheating, stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it cool.
Check the coolant and level. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter. Contact your dealer for service as soon
as safely possible to correct the engine temperature data error.
CHECK TRANSMISSION. Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as safely
possible.
Instrumentation
28

Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is on
the right side of the engine
compartment and is highlighted with
a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the windshield
washer fluid.
Maintenance and care
129

ENGINE COOLANT
Check the level of the coolant in the
reservoir at least once a month. Be
sure to read and understand
Precautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked for a long period of time, the
engine coolant reservoir may eventually empty. If this occurs, add engine
coolant to the coolant reservoir. For more information on engine coolant
maintenance, refer toAdding engine coolantin this chapter.
Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine coolant,
antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified function and
vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the windshield
washer fluid.
If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could make it difficult to see
through the windshield.
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
water to the engine coolant recovery reservoir-DO NOT ADD DIRECTLY
TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only in an emergency, but you
should replace it with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water as
soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery reservoir the next few
times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough of a 50/50 mixture
of coolant and water to bring the liquid level to the fill line on the
reservoir.
Maintenance and care
130

Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36ÉC [±34ÉF]), it may
be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the coolant 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.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid at
least twice a year. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F
power steering fluid.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge will be near the
center of the NORMAL band).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
132