parking brake LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1998 Owners Manual

Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle
components, possibly causing a
fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. Also illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
AIR
BAG
!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
8

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

Daytime running light (Canadian
vehicles only)
The daytime running light system
turns the headlamps on, with a
reduced light output, when:
²the vehicle is running,
²the parking brake is released,
²the headlamp system is in the
OFF position or AUTOLAMP
position when the autolamp
function has turned on the
headlamps (daytime)
The Daytime Running
Light (DRL) system will
not illuminate the tail lamps and
parking lamps. Turn on your
headlamps at dusk. Failure to do
so may result in a collision.
High beams
Push forward to activate.
HI
LO
F
S
OFF
Controls and features
25

3. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
4. Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
5. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
HOOD
1
2
34
5
10
2030405060
70
80
90
100
120206080
40100
120
160 140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPHkm/h
110
HF
E1
2
FILL ON
LEFT<
AIR
BAG CHECK
TRAC
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
TRUNK AJAR DOOR AJAR
TRAC OFF AIR SUSPENSION
O/D OFF TRAC ACTIVE
SPEED CONTROL COMPASSkmCIRCLE
SLOWLYWASHER FUEL ECON AVG
LTR/100km
FUEL REMAIN
DIST TO EMPTY
AVG SPEED
TRIP A B
E/M km MILES/GAL
BRAKE
Starting
92

Make sure the corresponding lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the light (
) will not
illuminate.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5 (START)
without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will return
to 4 (ON).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts or if the temperature
is below -12ÉC (10ÉF), depress the
accelerator and start the engine
while holding the accelerator
down. Release the accelerator
when the engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the
3
2
1
5
4
Starting
93

enable you to avoid obstacles
and bring the vehicle to a
controlled stop.
²We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.
Parking brake with auto-release
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked.
To set the parking brake:
1. Move the gearshifter to P
(Park).
2. Push pedal downward.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is fully released.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency.
Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's
stopping distance will increase
greatly and the handling of your
vehicle will be adversely affected.
HOOD
Driving
98

Your vehicle has an automatic
parking brake release. To release
the parking brake:
1. Turn the ignition to the RUN
position.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshifter from the P
(Park) position to one of the
forward gears (the parking brake
will not release automatically when
you shift into reverse). The brake
pedal must remain pressed while
the gearshifter is moved.
If the parking brake fails to release
after completing this procedure,
use the manual parking brake
release lever.
Pull the lever to manually release
the parking brake.
TRACTION CONTROLY
(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
the optional Traction Controly
system. This system helps maintain
the stability and steerability of
your vehicle. It is especially useful
on slippery and/or hilly road
surfaces. The system operates by
detecting and controlling wheel
spin. The system borrows many of
the electronic and mechanical
elements already present in the
anti-lock braking system (ABS).
HOOD
Driving
99

The air suspension shut-off switch
is located on the left side of the
trunk. If this switch is in the OFF
position, the rear air suspension
will not operate.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Automatic transmission
operation
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift from being
moved from P (Park) unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift
out of P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn
ignition key to LOCK, then remove
the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to
OFF. Apply the brake pedal and
shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift, it
AIR SUSPENSION
SWITCH
INTERRUPTEUR DE
LA SUSPENSION
PNEUMATIQUE
WARNING
AVERTISSEMENTOFF-ARRET
To prevent sudden
vehicle movement,
turn off air suspen-
sion switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or
towing vehicle.
Pour prévenir tout mouvement soudain du véhi-
cule, placer à l'arrêt l'interrupteur de la suspension
pneumatique avant de lever to véhicule (cric ou
pont élévateur) ou de le remorquer.
OFF
Driving
103

is possible that a fuse has blown
and the vehicle's brakelamps may
not be operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle
until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud
or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse
gears in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each
gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
Driving with a 4±speed
automatic transmission
Understanding gearshift
positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards
you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Driving
104

When driving with the temporary
spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under
any circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond
maximum vehicle load rating
listed on the Safety Compliance
Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car
wash, because of the vehicle's
reduced ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary
spare tire or remove it from its
wheel
²use the wheel for any other type
of vehicle
If the mini-spare tire is used as a
replacement for a rear wheel:
²Turn off the traction control
switch (located in the glove
box).
²Turn off the air suspension
switch (located on the left hand
side of the trunk).
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set parking
brake.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park).
Roadside emergencies
123