cooling LINCOLN TOWN CAR 2000 User Guide

To avoid scalding hot steam or coolant from being released from
the engine cooling system, never remove the radiator cap while
the engine is running or hot. Failure to follow this warning may result
in damage to the engine's cooling system and possible severe personal
injury.
If you must remove the radiator cap, follow these steps to avoid personal
injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44-A. Use of a recycled engine coolant which
does not meet the Ford specification may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36É C [±34É F]):
²it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
Maintenance and care
160

²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
²it is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The ªfail-safeº distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
Maintenance and care
161

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
²the engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the H (hot)
area.
²the
symbol will illuminate.
²a tone will sound 3 times.
²theService Engine Soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
²the engine power will be limited.
²the air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
²the
symbol will begin to flash.
²a tone will sound 5 times.
²the engine will completely shut down, causing steering and braking
effort to increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
H
Maintenance and care
162

Compass, electronic
calibration .................................19
set zone adjustment ............18,19
Console
rear ............................................70
Controls
power seat ............................84,86
steering column ........................60
Coolant
checking and adding ..............157
coolant temperature light ........11
refill capacities .................160,195
specifications ...................197,198
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................56
Customer Assistance ................132
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................209
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................202
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............208
Getting roadside assistance ...132
Getting the
service you need ....................203
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................212
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................205
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............208
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................23
Defrost
rear window ..............................53
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................164
engine oil .................................153
Doors
door ajar warning .....................12
lubricant specifications ..........197Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................131
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................144
Emission control system ..........182
Engine ........................................198
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................8
cleaning ...................................193
coolant .....................................157
fail-safe coolant ......................161
idle speed control ...................166
lubrication
specifications ...................197,198
refill capacities ........................195
service points ..........................152
starting after a collision .........133
Engine block heater .................116
Engine oil ..................................153
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................153
checking and adding ..............153
dipstick ....................................153
filter, specifications .........155,195
recommendations ...................155
refill capacities ........................195
specifications ...................197,198
Exhaust fumes ..........................117
Fail safe cooling ........................161
Floor mats ...................................71
Fluid capacities .........................195
Fuel ............................................174
calculating fuel economy ..20,179
cap ...........................................176
capacity ...................................195
choosing the right fuel ...........177
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................182
detergent in fuel .....................178
filling your
vehicle with fuel .......174,176,179
Index
215