oil LINCOLN TOWN CAR 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 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

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.6L 2V engine
1. Transmission fluid dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil fill cap
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Power steering fluid reservoir
6. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
7. Air filter assembly
8. Battery
9. Engine coolant reservoir
61234
9578
Maintenance and care
134

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert
the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
MAX MIN
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135

²If the oil level isbetween the
MIN and MAX marks, the oil
level is acceptable.DO NOT
ADD OIL.
²If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise
the level within the MIN-MAX
range.
²Oil levels above the MAX mark
may cause engine damage. Some
oil must be removed from the
engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer toChecking the
engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within
the normal range, add only
certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
the oil level is not above the MAX
mark on the dipstick.
Maintenance and care
136

Engine oil recommendations
Look for this certification mark.
Ford oil specification is
WSS-M2C153-G.
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil certified
for gasoline engines by the
American Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary
and could, under certain
conditions, lead to engine damage
which is not covered by your
warranty.
Changing the engine oil and
filter
Change your engine oil and filter
according to the following mileage
and time requirements, whichever
occurs first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule -
5,000 km (3,000 miles) or three
months. Severe duty operation
would include extensive idling,
trailer towing, driving in severe
dust and police, taxi or delivery
service.
Maintenance and care
137

Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake
fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed at least once
each year:
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid
until the level reaches MAX. Do
not fill above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford
specifications. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin theCapacities
and specificationschapter.
MAX
MIN
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138

²Have the services listed in your
ªService Guideº performed
according to the specified
schedule.
The Scheduled Maintenance
Services listed in the ªService
Guideº are required because they
are considered essential to the life
and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or
Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting
emission control such non-Ford
parts should be equivalent to
genuine Ford Motor Company
parts in performance and
durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charging system warning light,
the ªService Engine Soonº light or
the temperature warning light.
These events could indicate that
the emission control system is not
working properly.
Maintenance and care
164

²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless
they will be replaced immediately.
If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp
housings and affect performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
Handle a halogen
headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children's reach.
Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass.
The oil from your hand could
cause the bulb to break the next
time the headlamps are
operated.
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in
OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Twist the plastic knobs to
release the plastic sight shield
covering the back of the
headlamps. Lift the shield and pull
towards the windshield.
Maintenance and care
167

alcohol with a clean cloth to
remove. Use tar remover to
remove any tar spots.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage
from road debris may be repaired
with touch-up paint, repair foil or
aerosol paint spray from the Ford
accessory line. Observe the
application instructions on the
products.
Remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect
remains, tar spots, road salt and
industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as
the body of your vehicle. Do not
use acid-based wheel cleaners,
steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives
that will damage the finish of
special wheel surfaces. Use a tar
remover to remove grease and tar.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when
they are clean because grease and
dirt buildup keep the engine
warmer than normal. When
washing:
²Take care when using a power
washer to clean the engine. The
high pressure fluid could
penetrate the sealed parts and
cause damage.
Maintenance and care
173

The type of scrubbing pad is
very critical because the
common 3M ªScotch Briteº
green pad is too aggressive and
will damage the leather surface
²Spray a small amount of the
leather cleaner on the pad and
rub the area to be cleaned with
the pad using a circular motion.
Only clean 1/4 of the area at a
time. For heavily soiled areas,
spray the cleaner directly onto
the leather (two squirts should
be adequate) and rub with the
pad. Repeat if necessary.
²Use a soft, damp cloth to
remove the loosened dirt and
foam.
²Dry with a soft cloth.
Do not use household cleaners,
glass cleaner, alcohol solutions
or cleaner intended for vinyl,
rubber or plastics. These
products can damage the
leather.
In some instances, color or dye
transfer can occur when wet
clothing (wool, denim, leathers
or other non-colorfast
garments) comes in contact
with leather upholstery. If this
occurs, the leather should be
cleaned immediately to avoid
permanent staining.
ªTanners Preserve Leather
Cleanerº (product number AS-300)
is available from ªFirst Brandsº by
calling 1±800±726±1001. This
product may also be available at
Maintenance and care
177