suspension LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 2004 Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints 169Seating 169
Safety restraints 183
Air bags 195
Child restraints 203
Driving 217Starting 217
Brakes 221
Air suspension 225
Transmission operation 231
Vehicle loading 252
Trailer towing 254
Roadside Emergencies 262Getting roadside assistance 262
Hazard flasher switch 263
Fuel pump shut-off switch 263
Fuses and relays 265
Changing tires 275
Jump starting 282
Wrecker towing 288
Customer Assistance 290Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 298
Cleaning 299
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USA English (fus)Table of Contents
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System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for three seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. FUEL LEVEL
2. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
3. ENGINE TEMP
4. ADVANCETRAC
5. OIL PRESSURE
6. TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM
7. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
8. CHARGING SYSTEM
9. SUSPENSION
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle ’ s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for 4
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
• They will reappear on the display every minute from the time of reset.
• They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
• They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
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This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Check park assist Warning displays when R (reverse)
gear is selected.
PRNDL error no park assist
AdvTrac ON Displays for 4 seconds
AdvTrac OFF
Power liftgate off
Door ajar Warning returns after 10 minutes
Liftgate ajar
Warning-tire very low
Low fuel level
Check charging system
Low brake fluid level
Low oil pressure
Check engine temperature
Reduced engine power
Stop engine safely
Check tire pressure Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to ON.
Tire pressure system fault
Tire pressure sensor fault
Low washer fluid level
Check AdvTrac
AdvTrac OFF T/C ON
Check suspension
Suspension switched off
Check fuel cap
CHECK PARK ASSIST. Displayed when the transmission is in R
(Reverse).
PRNDL ERROR NO PARK ASSIST. Displayed when the transmission
is in R (Reverse) and the Backup Aid is disabled. Refer to Backup Aid
in this section to enable.
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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 possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer to Checking
and adding brake fluid in the Maintenance and specifications
chapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE. Displayed when the engine oil pressure is low. If
this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer to Engine oil in the Maintenance and specifications chapter for
information about adding engine oil. If the oil level is OK and this
warning persists, shut down the engine immediately and contact your
dealership for service.
LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL. Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluid in the Maintenance and specifications
chapter.
CHECK ADVTRAC. Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system is not
operating properly. If this message is displayed on the message center
the AdvanceTrac
system may be partially operable. If this warning
stays on while the engine is running, contact your dealer for service as
soon as possible. For further information, refer to AdvanceTrac

stability enhancement system in the Driving chapter.
ADVTRAC OFF T/C ON. Displayed on 4x4 vehicles only when 4x4 Low
Range is selected. In this mode, the stability enhancement portion of the
AdvanceTrac
is disabled, but the traction enhancement feature remains
enabled. For further information, refer to AdvanceTrac
stability
enhancement system in the Driving chapter.
CHECK SUSPENSION. Displayed when the air suspension system is
not operating properly. If this message is displayed while driving, pull off
the road as soon as safely possible. For more information, refer to Air
suspension in the Driving chapter.
SUSPENSION SWITCHED OFF. Displayed when the air suspension
switch is in the OFF position. For more information, refer to Air
suspension in the Driving chapter.
CHECK FUEL CAP. Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer to Fuel
filler cap in the Maintenance and specifications chapter.
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If the parking brake fails to release
after completing this procedure, use
the manual parking brake release
lever.
Pull the release lever to release the
brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to decrease the driver ’ s effort in steering the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
• Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the MIN mark on the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
• Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
• Uneven vehicle loading
• High crown in center of road
• High crosswinds
• Wheels out of alignment
• Loose or worn suspension components
Speed sensitive steering
Your vehicle is equipped with speed sensitive, variable assist power
steering (VAPS). At low speeds, steering assist will adjust to reduce
efforts and improve low speed maneuverability and at high speeds, the
assist will adjust to improve steering feel.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving at a constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system
checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician.
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AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride comfort, vehicle
handling and general vehicle performance by adjusting the vehicle ’ s ride
height according to vehicle speed, weight added to or removed from the
vehicle and four-wheel drive (if equipped) operation. Normal vehicle
operation does not require any action by the driver.
When you enter the vehicle and the ignition is off, the air suspension will
have automatically lowered the vehicle to its lowest height to provide
easier entry. When a door or the liftgate is opened, the system
memorizes and maintains that height until either all doors are closed or
the vehicle ’ s speed exceeds 24 km/h (15 mph). The air suspension
system will then raise the vehicle ’ s height to its normal position when the
ignition is turned on, all doors are closed and the transmission is shifted
from P (Park).
When the vehicle is in motion, the air suspension will adjust the vehicle
ride height to normal operating position to maximize your ride comfort.
If your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive and you shift into 4WD
LOW, the air suspension will not move to it ’ s lowest position; instead, the
ride height is raised above the normal ride height position (at speeds
below 40 km/h [25 mph]) to improve ground clearance.
If a load is added to, or removed from the vehicle, the load leveling
feature of the air suspension system will adjust the suspension to keep
the vehicle at a constant level.
When exiting the vehicle, the air suspension will automatically lower the
vehicle to its lowest height to provide easier exit. You may hear a buzz or
click from the air suspension system when the ignition is turned off. The
air suspension system will stay active for 40 minutes after the ignition is
turned off to accommodate any load changes. (The air compressor may
run when the vehicle is off; this is normal.)
The air suspension shut-off switch is
located behind two access panels on
the left rear quarter trim panel, near
the liftgate. To remove the first
panel, turn the control
counterclockwise and remove the
panel.
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On vehicles equipped with air suspension, turn the air
suspension and the ignition switch off prior to jacking, hoisting
or towing your vehicle.
To remove the second panel, press
the tab down to unlock the access
panel.
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Press the bottom portion of the
switch to turn off the air
suspension.
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
limited slip axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer ’ s specified size tires on a
limited slip rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Your vehicle has special design and equipment features to make it
capable of performing in a wide variety of circumstances. These special
design features, such as larger tires and increased ground clearance, give
the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
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Do not alter or modify your vehicle ’ s suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle ’ s handling can adversely affect
the Roll Stability Control system. Also, do not install a stereo
loudspeaker near the front center console or under either front
seat. The speaker vibrations can adversely affect the Roll
Stability Control sensors located in this area.
Note: Pressing the Roll Stability Control button will disable the Roll
Stability Control.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of an Roll Stability Control
event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed, it is possible that a fuse
has blown or the vehicle ’ s brakelamps are not operating properly. Refer
to Fuses and relays in the Roadside emergencies chapter.
If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn the ignition to LOCK, then remove the
key.
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Tires, Replacement Requirements
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that
originally provided by Ford Motor Company because it can affect
the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and/or serious
personal injury or death.
Make sure all road tires and road wheels on the vehicle are of the same
size, type, tread design and load carrying capacity (for information on
the spare tire, refer to Changing the Tires in the Roadside
emergencies chapter). If you have questions regarding tire replacement,
see an authorized Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
If you nevertheless decide to equip your four – wheel drive for off-road
use with tires larger than what Ford Motor Company recommends, you
should not use these tires for highway driving.
If you use any tire/wheel combination not recommended by Ford Motor
Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure as well as the increased
risk of loss of vehicle control.
Do not use “ aftermarket lift kits ” or other suspension modifications,
whether or not they are used with larger tires and wheels.
These “ aftermarket lift kits ” could adversely affect the vehicle ’ s handling
characteristics, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or rollover and
serious injury.
Tires can be damaged during off-road use. For your safety, tires that are
damaged should not be used for highway driving because they are more
likely to blow out or fail.
You should carefully observe the recommended tire inflation pressure
found on the safety compliance certification label attached to the left
front door latch post pillar (a label may also be found on the fuel cap
filler door). Failure to follow tire pressure recommendations can
adversely affect the way your vehicle handles. Do not exceed the Ford
Motor Company recommended pressure even if it is less than the
maximum pressure allowed for the tire.
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