1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII tires

186Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's
bumper. The bumper is not designed to bear the
load.
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's tires
when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).Using the hitchYour vehicle uses aload carryinghitch. Because
this type of hitch places the tongue load of a trailer
on the rear wheels of your vehicle, you must
distribute the load in your trailer so that only 10 to
15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the
tongue.
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and
change the weight on the hitch. This will prevent
damage to your vehicle and make your vehicle
easier to handle.
Connecting the safety chainsAlways attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the hitch
breaks.
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
attach them to your vehicle's frame or hook
retainers. Never attach the safety chains to your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed
to bear the weight of a trailer.
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in the
chains to allow you to turn corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
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239
Tire RotationBecause your vehicle's front and rear tires perform
different jobs, they often wear differently. To make
sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the following diagram.
Do not include the spare tire as part of your
rotation.
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedule. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
Rotating the tires
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240
Replacingth e Tires
Becaus eyou rvehicle' stire sma ywea runevenly,
WARNING
Whe nreplacin gful lsiz etires ,never

241
Information About Tire Quality GradesNew vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded into
the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality Grades are
determined by standards that the United States
Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires
for use on passenger cars. They do not apply to
deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as
the government has written it.
TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction A B CThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A,
B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
File:11fnmc8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:28:32 1996

268Batteryq
Check and recharge as necessary.
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is
maintained for quick starting. NOTE: If battery
cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to
reset any memory features (eg. radio presets).
Brakesq
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
Tiresq
Maintain recommended air pressures.
Miscellaneousq
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis
pins under vehicle are covered with grease to
prevent rust.
q
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.
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Update:Thu Jun 20 14:28:48 1996

298Chains, tires.............. 242
Changing a tire............ 201
Charging system warning light...... 13
Child safety restraints.......... 150
child safety belts........... 163
child safety seats........... 151
Child safety seats............ 151
and air bags............. 151
attaching with tether straps...... 162
automatic locking mode (retractor) 143, 151
in front seat............. 151
in rear outboard seat......... 151
in rear seat............. 151
tether anchorage hardware . . . 162, 163
Chime
headlamps on............ 15
key in ignition............ 84
safety belt.............. 44Cleaning your vehicle.......... 260
chrome and aluminum parts...... 260
exterior............... 260
exterior lamps............ 261
fabric................ 262
headlamps.............. 261
instrument panel......... 7,261
interior............... 262
interior lamps............ 262
mirrors............... 100
plastic parts............. 261
polishing.............. 260
rustproofing............. 261
safety belts............. 261
tail lamps.............. 261
upholstery and interior trim...... 262
washing............... 260
waxing............... 260
wheels............... 262
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Update:Thu Jun 27 10:02:38 1996

308Remote entry system
arming and disarming the
anti-theft system.......... 123
locking/unlocking doors........ 123
opening the trunk.......... 123
panic alarm............. 123
replacement/additional transmitters . . . 125
replacing the batteries........ 125
Reporting safety defects......... 269
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult................ 138
child................ 150
head................ 131
infant............... 150
Reverse................ 180
Roadside emergencies.......... 189
Rotating the tires............ 239
S
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)..... 138
Safety chains, when towing a trailer.... 186
Safety Compliance Certification Label . . . 182
Safety defects, reporting......... 269
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 247
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts....... 140
automatic locking mode........ 143
center rear lap belt.......... 143
cleaning the safety belts........ 261
extension assembly.......... 144
for adults.............. 138
for children............. 150
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Update:Thu Jun 27 10:02:38 1996

310Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof).... 97
Snow tires and chains.......... 242
Spare tire............... 201
changing the tire........... 201
finding the spare........... 202
removing the spare tire........ 203
storing the flat tire.......... 205
temporary spare........... 201
Spark plugs, specifications........ 263
Specification chart, lubricants...... 265
Speed control
turning off............. 94
when towing a trailer......... 187
Speedometer.............. 16
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 165
starting after a collision........ 189
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 209Steering, power............ 177
Steering wheel
horn................ 90
locking............... 83
Storage compartments, center console . . . 115
Storing your vehicle........... 266
Sunroof (moon roof)........... 97
Sun visor............... 101
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 45
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 145
T
Tachometer.............. 17
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 253
cleaning............... 261
Temperature control (see Climate control) . 69
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints)......... 162
Tilt/Telescope steering column...... 91
File:fnix8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 27 10:02:38 1996