LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1997 Owners Manual

260NOTE:Rear axle lube quantities must be replaced
every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or if the axle
has been submerged in water. Otherwise, the lube
should not be checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or repair required.Vehicle StorageMaintenance TipsIf you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended
period of time (60 days or more), refer to the
following maintenance recommendations to ensure
your vehicle stays in good operating condition.Generalq
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust and
damage.
Bodyq
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease,
oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces, rear
wheel housing and underside of front fenders.
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent discoloration.
Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed.
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil.
q
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
q
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
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261
Engineq
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
Fuel systemq
Fill fuel tank with high-quality, premium
unleaded fuel until the first automatic shutoff of
the fuel pump nozzle.
NOTE:During extended periods of vehicle storage
(60 days or more), fuel may deteriorate due to
oxidation. This can damage rubber and other
polymers in the fuel system and may also clog small
orifices.
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60 days.
Follow the instructions on the label. The vehicle
should then be operated at idle speed to circulate
the additive throughout the fuel system.A volatile corrosion inhibitor added to the fuel
system will protect the fuel system's inner surfaces
from corrosion. Follow the instructions packaged
with the product.
Cooling systemq
Protect against freezing temperatures.
Batteryq
Check and recharge as necessary.
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is
maintained for quick starting. NOTE: If battery
cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to
reset any memory features (eg. radio presets).
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262Brakesq
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
Tiresq
Maintain recommended air pressures.
Miscellaneousq
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis
pins under vehicle are covered with grease to
prevent rust.
q
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.
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263
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)Reporting Safety Defects
(U.S. Only)If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which
could cause a crash or could cause injury or death,
you should immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Ford Motor Company.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open
an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall
and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot
become involved in individual problems between
you, your dealer, or Ford Motor Company.To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or
366-0123 in the Washington, D.C. area) or write
to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, Washington D.C. 20590. You can
also obtain other information about motor vehicle
safety from the Hotline.
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265
Customer AssistanceIf You Have a Service ProblemFord Motor Company has authorized Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships that can service your
vehicle for you. This chapter tells you how to get
service or maintenance for your vehicle.Service/Maintenance Concerns
(U.S. or Canada)Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your
selling dealer who wants to ensure your continued
satisfaction. You may, however, take your vehicle to
any authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. In
most cases, your dealer will be able to resolve your
concern.
If you are not satisfied with the service you
received from your dealership's service department,
talk to the service manager at the dealership, or ifyou still are not satisfied, talk to the owner or
general manager of the dealership. In most cases,
you will have your concern resolved at this level.
If you are away from home when your vehicle
needs to be serviced, or if you need more help than
the dealer gave you, contact the Ford Customer
Assistance Center to find an authorized dealership
that may be able to help you.
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266If you have any questions or concerns that the
dealership cannot answer, contact the Customer
Assistance Center.
If you still have a complaint involving a warranty
dispute, you may wish to contact the Dispute
Settlement Board (U.S. only) or the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) in Canada.
A warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under
the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or to the extent
allowed by state law, before pursuing replacement
or repurchase remedies provided by certain state
laws. This dispute handling procedure is not
required prior to enforcing state created rights or
other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement
or repurchase laws.
The Dispute Settlement Board
(U.S. Only)The Dispute Settlement Board is:q
an independent, third-party arbitration program
for warranty disputes
q
available free to owners and lessees of qualifying
Ford Motor Company vehicles
The Dispute Settlement Board may not be available
in all states. Ford Motor Company reserves the right
to change eligibility limitations, modify procedures
and/or to discontinue this service without notice
and without incurring obligations.
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267
What Kind of Cases Does the Board
Review?The Board reviews all warranty performance
complaints on Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and
Ford and Mercury light trucks under the new
vehicle limited warranty that have not been
resolved by either a dealer or Ford Motor Company,
except those involving:q
a non-Ford product
q
a non-Ford dealership
q
a vehicle sales transaction
q
request for reimbursement of consequential
expenses. Expenses incidental to the warranty
complaint being reviewed are eligible for
consideration.
q
items not covered by the new vehicle limited
warranty
q
items covered by a service contract
q
alleged liability claims
q
property damage where the damage is
significant when compared to the economic loss
alleged under the warranty dispute
q
cases currently in litigation
q
vehicles not used primarily for family, personal,
or household purposes (except in states where
the Dispute Settlement Board is required to
review commercial vehicles)
Complaints involving vehicles in which applicable
new vehicle limited warranties have expired at
receipt of your application are not eligible. Eligibility
may differ according to state law. For example, see
the unique brochures for California and Wisconsin
purchasers/lessees.
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268How does the Board Work?The Board consists of:q
three consumer representatives
q
a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer
Consumer candidates for Board membership are
recruited and trained by an independent consulting
firm. Dealers are chosen because of their business
leadership qualities.
What the Board needsTo have your case reviewed you must complete the
application in the DSB brochure and mail it to the
address provided on the application form.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined
to be eligible, you will receive an acknowledgment
indicating:q
the file number assigned to your application
q
the toll-free phone number of the DSB's
independent administrator
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Company
representative are asked to submit statements at this
time.
To review your case properly, the Board needs the
following information:
q
legible copies of all documents and maintenance
or repair orders relevant to the case
q
the year, make, model, and Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) listed on your
vehicle ownership license
q
the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of
occurrence(s)
q
the current mileage
q
the name of the dealer who sold or serviced the
vehicle
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269
q
a brief description of your unresolved concern
q
a brief summary of the action taken with the
dealer and Ford Motor Company
q
the names (if known) of all the people you
contacted at the dealership
q
a description of the action you expect to resolve
your concern
Should your case NOT qualify for review, a letter of
explanation will be mailed to you.
Oral presentationsIf the involved vehicle is within 36 months and
36,000 miles of the warranty start date, you have
the right to make an oral presentation before the
Board. Indicate your choice to do so on the
application. Oral presentations may also be
requested by the Board.
Making a decisionBoard members will review all available information
related to the complaint, including oral
presentations, if necessary. They then arrive at a fair
and impartial decision, decided by a simple majority
vote.
Because the Board usually meets only once a
month, some cases may take longer than 30 days to
be reviewed. The Board makes every effort to
resolve each case within 40 days of receiving the
consumer application form.
After your case is reviewed, the Board mails you a
decision letter. The Board also provides a form on
which to accept or reject the Board's decision. The
decisions of the Board are binding on the dealer
and Ford, but not on consumers who may elect to
pursue other remedies available to them under state
or federal law. Decisions of the Board may be
presented as evidence by any party in subsequent
legal proceedings that may be initiated, where
allowed by law.
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270To Request a DSB
Brochure/ApplicationFor a brochure/application, speak to your dealer or
write to the Board at the following address:Ford of Canada Customer
AssistanceIf you live in Canada and have any questions or
concerns that the dealership cannot answer, contact
the Lincoln Centre.
Please have the following information available
when contacting the Lincoln Centre:q
your telephone number (both business and
home)
q
the name of the dealer and the city where the
dealership is located
q
the year and make of your vehicle
q
the date purchased
q
the current mileage on your vehicle
q
your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license
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