maintenance LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1998 Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 3
Controls and features 24
Seating and safety restraints 64
Starting and driving
Starting 90
Driving 96
Roadside emergencies 114
Servicing
Maintenance and care 131
Capacities and specifications 179
Reporting safety defects 185
Index 186
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Copyright
r
1997 Ford Motor CompanyElemental Chlorine Free
Contents
1

parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light remains
on, continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system
serviced immediately.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior
bulbsin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
ABS
Instrumentation
9

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 to
Engine oilin theMaintenance
and Carechapter.
This lamp also illuminates when
the ignition is turned to ON and
the engine is off.
Engine coolant temperature
Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine and
let it cool.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter. If
light stays on or continues to turn
on after the vehicle warms up,
have your vehicle serviced.
This light also illuminates briefly
when the ignition key is turned to
ON.
Check Trac (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light stays on,
the Traction Controlysystem
needs to be serviced.
CHECK
TRAC
Instrumentation
10

Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle
speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the normal area
(the area between the ªHº and
ªCº). If it travels past the ªH,º the
engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the ignition and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine
coolantin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
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 or
mixture, the gauge indication will
not be accurate.
10
2030405060
70
80
90
100
120206080
40100
120
160 140
180
MPHkm/h
110
H
Instrumentation
15

belt extension only if the safety
belt is too short for you when fully
extended. Do not use extensions
to change the fit of the shoulder
belt across the torso.
Safety belt warning light and
indicator chime
The seat belt warning light
illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a chime sounds to
remind the occupants to fasten
their safety belts.
Safety belt maintenance
Check the safety belt systems
periodically to make sure they
work properly and are not
damaged. Check the safety belts to
make sure there are no nicks,
wears or cuts. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies (slide bar)(if
equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child
safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be
inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced.
However, if the collision was minor
and a qualified technician finds
that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly,
they do not need to be replaced.
Safety belt assemblies not in use
during a collision should also be
inspected and replaced if either
Seating and safety restraints
75

damage or improper operation is
noted.
Failure to replace the
safety belt assembly under
the above conditions could result
in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and
maintaining the safety beltsin
theMaintenance and care
section.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
OFF
P102030405060
70
80
90
100
120206080
40100
120
160 140
180MPHkm/h110HF
E1
2FILL ON
LEFT<
CHECK
TRAC
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
PANEL
DIMLO
F
S
OFF
MIST
VOL
PUSH ONTAPE
MUTESEEK
TUNE
AM
FM
REW
FFSIDE 1 2
COMP
SHUFFCDEJ
RDS
SCAN AUTO123
4
56
BASS
TREBSELBAL
FADE
ON
OFFRES
SET
ACCEL
COASTEXT
OFFMAX
A/CAUTOFRONT
REARSELECTRESETSRS
Seating and safety restraints
76

If the air bag is inflated,
the air bag will not
function again and must be
replaced immediately.Ifthe
air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
²one or more impact and safing
sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which
connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system warning (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag back up power and the
air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag
readinesssection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine
maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
Seating and safety restraints
80

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal
and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the
vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake
systems may emit occasional or
intermittent squeal or groan noises
when the brakes are applied. Such
noises are usually heard during the
first few brake applications in the
morning; however, they may be
heard at any time while braking
and can be aggravated by
environmental conditions such as
cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt
or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º
ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is
present while braking, the brake
linings may be worn-out and
should be inspected by a qualified
service technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an
anti-lock braking system (ABS), a
noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal
may be observed during ABS
braking events. Pedal pulsation
coupled with noise while braking
under panic conditions or on loose
gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads
is normal and indicates proper
functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. If the
vehicle has continuous vibration or
Driving
96

If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the hubs (truck)/wheel rims (car).
Once through the water, always try
the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while
applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance.
²excessive speed.
²rapid acceleration.
²extended idle.
Driving
113

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
²We provide a ªService Guideº
which makes tracking routine
service easy.
If your vehicle requires
professional service, your
dealership can provide necessary
parts and service. Check your
ªWarranty Guideº to find out which
parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels,
lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN
SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
The cooling fan is
automatic and may come
on at any time. Always
disconnect the negative terminal
of the battery before working
near the fan.
²When the engine is running,
avoid wearing loose clothing,
jewelry or long hair that could
get caught up in moving parts.
Maintenance and care
131