check engine light LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1997 Owners Manual

11
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant to
your engine, seeEngine Coolantin the Index.
If you do not follow these instructions, you or
others could be injured.
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced.
If only the top two and bottom two bars appear on
the gauge, then the system is indicating that it
requires servicing. Contact your dealer for service as
soon as possible.Anti-Lock Brake System LightThis warning light will go on each time you start
your vehicle. If it remains on for longer than 5
seconds, you should shut off your engine and
restart. If the anti-lock brake light stays on, this
indicates that the anti-lock feature is disabled and
should receive immediate attention by a qualifiedservice technician. Normal braking is not affected
unless the brake warning light is also lit.
The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check
capabilities. As previously described, the system
turns on the anti-lock light each time you start your
engine. After the engine is started and the anti-lock
light is out, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 14 mph (22 km/h).
The system turns on the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) pump motor for approximately 1/2 second.
At this time a mechanical noise may be heard. This
is a normal part of the self-check feature. If a
malfunction is found during this check the anti-lock
light will come on.
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14Check Engine Warning LightThis light illuminates when the engine's Emission
Control System requires service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON
position and the engine is off.
Air Bag Readiness LightThe air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone
to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument panel. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this
light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn
off. This indicates that the system is operating
normally.NOTE:Regularly scheduled maintenance
of the air bag system is not required.
If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash,
remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.
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15
Charging System Warning LightThis light comes on when you turn your ignition
key from OFF to ON (engine off). The light should
go out when the engine starts and the alternator
begins to charge.
If this light stays on or comes on while your engine
is running, this tells you that your battery is not
being charged and that you need to have the
electrical system checked as soon as possible.
Engine Oil Pressure LightThis light indicates the lack of engine oil pressure,
not the oil level. However, if your engine's oil level
is low, it could affect the oil pressure. The light
should come on every time your ignition key is
turned to ON or START, and should go out when
the engine starts. If the light stays on or turns on
while the engine is running, you have lost oil
pressure and continued operation will cause severe
engine damage.
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16If you lose engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Shut off the engine immediately. If you do not
stop the engine as soon as safely possible,
severe engine damage could result.
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine oil,
seeEngine Oilin the Index. If you do not
follow these instructions, you or others could
be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your
car should be on level ground.
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again. Do
not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the
light is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact
your nearest dealer for further service actions.
For more information about adding oil, seeAdding
engine oilin theMaintenance and Carechapter of
this guide.
Turn Signal Indicator LightsWhen you push the turn signal lever up before
making a right turn, the right side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
When you push the turn signal lever down before
making a left turn, the left side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically after
you turn your vehicle. If the turn signal continues
to flash after you have made the turn, push the
lever back to the OFF position.
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211
Maintenance and CareService Made EasyFord has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
q
When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your vehicle
easy. The maintenance schedule is located in
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you
need to check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner
Maintenance Checks listed in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet be performed for the proper
operation of your vehicle. In addition to the
conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance
Checklist, be alert for any unusual noise, vibration,
or other indication that your vehicle may need
service. If you do notice something unusual, see
that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
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219
Checking and Adding Engine OilSince the proper amount of engine oil is important
for safe engine operation, check the oil using the
dipstick each time you put fuel in your vehicle.
Remember the engine must be off, the oil must be
warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
Checking the engine oil level:
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and
allow a few minutes for the engine oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the engine.5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
Engine oil dipstick
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the oil
level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some oil
must be removed from the engine.
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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245
q
English: MPG = (total miles)/(gallons used).
q
Metric: L/100K = (liters used) x 100/(total
kilometers)
Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy EstimatesEPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions and
may not reflect the actual conditions you experience
or your style of driving. The EPA fuel economy
estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve
the fuel economy shown.
The following decrease fuel economy:q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
q
Sudden stops
q
Extended engine idling
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
q
Underinflated tires
q
Heavy loads
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage
racks, bug deflectors, etc.
Self-Service PointersIf you choose to do your own fueling, you should
also perform a few simple maintenance routines.
This extra effort will save you additional money and
contribute to the driving efficiency of your vehicle.
The following procedures require only a tire gauge,
a rag, an oil can spout and windshield washer fluid.q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
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248Information about your vehicle's emission control
system is on the Vehicle Emission Control
Information decal located on or near the engine.
This decal identifies engine displacement and gives
some tune-up specifications.How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) TestingIn some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II
system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its
battery has just been serviced, the OBD II system is
reset to a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional city and highway driving is necessary to
complete the check of the OBD II system.
The driving modes required to reach the ready
condition consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of
city and highway driving as described below:
q
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and go,
city type traffic with at least four idle periods.
q
At least ten minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
Before completing the above driving modes, the
engine must be warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the vehicle must not be
turned off during these driving modes.
Lights and Bulb ReplacementIt is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:q
headlamps
q
high-mount brakelamp
q
tail lamps
q
brakelamps
q
hazard flasher
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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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299
Climate control system
air conditioning........... 55
electronic automatic temperature
control.............. 55
heating............... 55
Clock................. 72
Cold engine starting.......... 162
Combination lap and shoulder belts.... 126
Compact disc radio (see Electronic
sound system)............ 35
Controls, mirrors............ 89
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 224
preparing for storage......... 261
refill capacities............ 258
specifications............ 259
temperature gauge.......... 10Cooling fan.............. 214
Cupholder(s).............. 73
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada............ 270
D
Daytime running light system...... 68
Defects, reporting............ 263
Defrost, windshield........... 63
Dipstick................ 219
automatic transmission fluid...... 230
engine oil.............. 219
power steering fluid......... 229
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 209
Dispute Settlement Board........ 266
Doors................. 96
door ajar warning message....... 31
lubricant specifications........ 259
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