traction control LINCOLN MARK VIII 1998 Owners Manual

Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and
add oil if needed. Refer toEngine
oilin theMaintenance and Care
chapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off.
Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Traction ControlYactive
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON. It
also illuminates when the Traction
Controlysystem begins applying
and releasing the brakes and
adjusting the engine characteristics
to limit a wheelspin condition. It will
be lit for a maximum of four
seconds or for the duration of the Traction Controlyevent.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Instrumentation
7

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

Selectable features
You can select different features for the message center to display by
using the message center controls located below the message center
display. You will hear a tone when you press one of these controls.
However, the message center will display the appropriate warning
message if it detects a warning from any of the monitored systems.
Vehicle setting
Each press of the VEHICLE
SETTING control will select a
different feature as follows:
²TRACTION CONTROL. This
system helps prevent wheel spin
to improve tire traction. The
RESET control will toggle this
feature on or off, but the feature
defaults to ON after each cycle of
the ignition key.
²ENGLISH/METRIC. This feature
allows you to change the message
center and electronic automatic temperature control units from metric
to English units. The modes can be toggled by pressing the RESET
control.
²AUTOLAMP DELAY STATUS. This feature displays the current
autolamp delay setting. To change the delay setting, you must rotate
the headlamp control.
²WIPER/HEADLAMP ON. When enabled, the headlamps will
automatically switch on when the windshield wipers are in the
intermittent, low or high speed settings. Use the RESET control to
toggle the feature on or off.
VEHICLE
SETTINGDRIVER
SETTINGTRIP
ODO RANGE
FUELECONOMY
Instrumentation
15

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

TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT. Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a 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. Refer toTransmission
fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer for transmission service as
soon as safely possible.
CHECK BRAKE LAMPS. Displayed when the brake lamps are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. The center
high-mount brakelamp is not monitored.
CHECK HEADLAMPS. Displayed when the headlamps are activated
and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as safely
possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing
headlamp bulbsin theMaintenance and carechapter. The high beam
lamps are not monitored.
CHECK TAIL LAMPS. Displayed when the tail lamps are activated and
at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as safely possible
and have the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK FRT TURN LAMPS. Displayed when the turn signals are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
LOW WASHER FLUID. Indicates there is less than one quarter of
washer fluid left in the reservoir. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter.
TRUNK AJAR. Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed and
the ignition switch is in ON or ACC.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL. Displayed when the Traction
Controlysystem is not operating properly. If this message is displayed
on the message centerandthe green T/C OFF light isnotilluminated,
the Traction Controlysystem will be partially operable. If this warning
stays on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction controlyin theDrivingchapter.
AIR RIDE SWITCH OFF. Displayed when the air suspension switch is
in the OFF position.
Instrumentation
29

TRACTION CONTROLY
Your vehicle is equipped with the Traction Controlysystem. This system
helps maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle. It is
especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces. The system
operates at all speeds by detecting and controlling wheel spin. The
system borrows many of the electronic and mechanical elements already
present in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlyportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the rear brakes
in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque reduction is
realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems. This
process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast acting. The
rear wheels ªsearchº for optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice
covered roads. This is especially evident if wheel spin-up should occur
while turning.
During Traction Controlyoperation you may hear an electric motor type
of sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not
ªrev-upº when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
If you should become stuck in snow or on a very slippery road surface,
try switching the Traction Controlysystem off. This may allow excess
wheel spin to ªdigº the vehicle out or enable a successful ªrockingº
maneuver. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrumentationchapter.
If the Traction Controlysystem is cycled excessively, the brake portion
of the system will shut down to prevent the rear brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Controlyfunction using only engine
torque reduction will still control wheels from over-spinning. When the
rear brakes have cooled down, the system will again function normally.
Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will function
normally during the cool down period.
If the engine coolant temperature is below þ23ÉC (þ10ÉF) the engine
torque reduction portion of the Traction Controlysystem isNOTactive.
The system will operate normally when the engine coolant warms up.
Driving
96

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire grade 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
grade 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are A, B, and C, and they
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Maintenance and care
138

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose control and roll
over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
Do not use any type of tire chains on this vehicle. This includes both
conventional and cable-type chains.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide traction in
rain or snow. However, during the winter months in some climates, you
may need to use snow tires.
Maintenance and care
140

Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .............88,91
Sunvisor .......................................51
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................13
Tilt steering wheel ......................42
Tires ....................................137,139
changing ..................................115
checking the pressure ............139
replacing ..................................140
rotating ....................................139
snow tires and chains ............140
treadwear ................................138
Traction control ..........................96
active light ..................................7
check traction control
message ................................25,31
how to enable/disable ..............15
off light ......................................11
Trailer towing ............................104
tips ...........................................106
Transmission .............................133
automatic
operation ...........97,98,99,100,102
fluid, checking and
adding (automatic) ................133Trunk
using the remote entry
system to open .........................59
Turn signal
lever ...........................................41
Universal transmitter ..................47
erasing channels .......................50
operating ...................................49
programming .............................48
Vehicle dimensions ...................164
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................166
Vehicle loading ..........................103
Ventilating your vehicle .............92
Warning chimes .............................6
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts ..................118
Windows
power windows, operating .......52
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....129
checking and replacing
wiper blades ............................136
operation ...................................41
Wrecker towing .........................122
Index
170