maintenance LINCOLN TOWN CAR 2008 Owners Manual

Maintenance and Specifications 226
Engine compartment 228
Engine oil 230
Battery 233
Engine coolant 235
Fuel information 241
Air filter(s) 257
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 260
Engine data 263
Accessories 266
Index 268
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Copyright © 2008 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
3
2008 Town Car(tow)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
2008 Town Car(tow)
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Introduction
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light for additional information.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the on position to check
the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the
Service engine soon

light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the
Service
engine soon
light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing. See theReadiness for Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) testingin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer toOn
board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
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Instrument Cluster
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Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Traction Control™ active:
Flashes when the Traction Control™
system is active. If the light remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately, refer to theDriving
chapter for more information.
Severity indicator:Displays the
indicated severity color when any of
the following warning conditions has
occurred:
•Red: Low Oil Pressure, Charge
System, Engine Coolant Over Temperature, Door Ajar
•Amber: Low Fuel
Refer toMessage Centerin theDriver Controlschapter.
Low tire pressure warning (if
equipped):Illuminates when your
tire pressure is low. If the light
remains on at start up or while
driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. When the ignition is first turned to on, the light will
illuminate for three seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light
does not turn on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
For more information on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
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Instrument Cluster
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GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed. Refer to the
Message centerin theDriver
Controlschapter to change your
display to a digital speedometer.
The digital display is more accurate
than the analog gauge and may not
match.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between “H” and
“C”).If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool,refer to
What you should know about fail-safe coolingin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
2008 Town Car(tow)
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Instrument Cluster
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Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the on position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The arrow near the fuel pump icon
indicates which side of the vehicle
the fuel filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
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Instrument Cluster
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Warning display Status
Overdrive ON/OFF Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from off to on.
Trunk ajar
Low tire pressure
Tire pressure monitor fault
Tire pressure sensor fault
Check compass module
Washer fluid level low
Oil life change soon
Oil change required
DOOR AJAR— Displayed when a door is not completely closed.
POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION— Displayed when the powertrain is
not operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE— Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
CHECK FUEL CAP— Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not
properly installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer
toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK AIR SUSPENSION— Displayed when the air suspension
system is not operating properly. If this message is displayed while
driving, pull off the road as soon as safely possible. For more
information, refer toAir suspension systemin theDrivingchapter.
FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition. Warning message can be reset by pressing the RESET button,
but will return after 10 minutes. If any other button is pressed besides
RESET, the message ’’PRESS RESET TO CLEAR’’ will appear in the
message center. Once this message disappears (after approximately two
seconds), press RESET to clear the warning.
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Driver Controls
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TRUNK AJAR— Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
OVERDRIVE OFF— Displayed when the overdrive is disabled.
OVERDRIVE ON— Displayed when the overdrive is enabled.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use (Note: this includes
the use of the optional full-sized matching spare tire and wheel). For
more information on how the system operates under these conditions,
refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
CHECK COMPASS MOD— Displayed when the compass is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the washer fluid reservoir
is less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
OIL LIFE CHANGE SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 10% or less. When oil life left is between 10% and 0%, the
XX% OIL LIFE CHANGE SOON message will be displayed.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches
0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
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Driver Controls
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manner in response to the occupant’s forward momentum. This helps
reduce the risk of force-related injuries to the occupant’s chest by
limiting the load on the occupant. Refer toEnergy management feature
section in this chapter.
Determining if the Personal Safety System™ is operational
The Personal Safety System™ uses a warning light in the instrument
cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer
to theWarning light and chimessection in theInstrument cluster
chapter. Routine maintenance of the Personal Safety System™ is not
required.
The Restraints control module (RCM) monitors its own internal circuits
and the circuits for the airbag supplemental restraints, crash sensor(s),
safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt buckle sensors, front
passenger sensing system, and the driver seat position sensor. In
addition, the RCM also monitors the restraints warning light in the
instrument cluster. A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or
more of the following.
•The warning light will either flash or stay lit.
•The warning light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and warning light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the Personal
Safety System™ serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.
Safety restraints precautions
WARNING:Always drive and ride with your seatback upright
and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit
in the back seat where they can be properly restrained.
WARNING:Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.
2008 Town Car(tow)
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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Safety belt extension assembly
If the safety belt is too short when fully extended, there is an 8 inch
(20 cm) safety belt extension assembly that can be added (part number
611C22). This assembly can be obtained from an authorized dealer.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too
short for you when fully extended.
WARNING:Do not use extensions to change the fit of the
shoulder belt across the torso.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front safety belt buckle
assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder
belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if
equipped), child safety seat LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Ford Motor Company
recommends that all safety belt assemblies in use in vehicles involved in
a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and an
authorized dealer 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 damage or improper operation is noted.
WARNING:Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the
safety belt assembly under the above conditions could result in
severe personal injuries in the event of a collision.
For proper care of soiled safety belts, refer toInteriorin theCleaning
chapter.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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