1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII stop start

174Manual parking brake release leverThe parking brake is not designed to stop a moving
vehicle, but you can use the parking brake to stop
your vehicle in an emergency if the normal brakes
fail. However, since the parking brake applies only
the rear brakes, the stopping distance will increase
greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be
adversely affected.Always check the Brake Warning Light each time
you start your engine. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly
and will reduce the fuel economy.
Traction Control
TM
(If equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Control
TM
system. This system helps
prevent wheel spin in order to improve tire traction
and is an especially useful feature when you drive
in hilly areas or on slippery, icy or snowy roads.
When the Traction Control system is controlling
wheelspin, an electric motor sound may be heard
from the engine compartment and engine
acceleration may seem slower. This is normal.
Traction Control
TM
works automatically by rapidly
applying and releasing the brakes and reducing
engine torque to prevent one or both of the rear
drive wheels from spinning during acceleration.
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Update:Wed Jun 19 10:45:23 1996

180R (Reverse)With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position, the
vehicle will move backward. You should always
come to a complete stop before shifting into or out
of R (Reverse).N (Neutral)With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position, the
vehicle can be started and is free to roll. Hold the
brake pedal down while in this position.DrivingYour vehicle's gearshift is console-mounted on the
floor. The Transmission Control Switch (TCS) is
located on the gearshift handle. The Transmission
Control Indicator Light is located on the instrument
panel. You can put the gearshift lever in any of the
several positions.The O/D OFF light is off (not illuminated) during
normal vehicle operation. This allows the
transmission to upshift and downshift from 1st
through 4th gears. When the TCS is pressed, the
Transmission Control Indicator Light will illuminate
(O/D OFF) on the instrument panel. When this
O/D OFF is illuminated, the transmission will
upshift and downshift from 1st through 3rd gears.
If O/D OFF light does not come ªONº when TCS
is depressed or if the light flashes when you are
driving, have your vehicle serviced at the first
opportunity. If this condition persists, damage could
occur to the transmission.
To return the transmission to normal operation (1st
through 4th gear) depress the TCS again. This
switch may be used to cancel overdrive any time
the vehicle is being driven. Each time your vehicle
is started, the overdrive system will automatically be
in the normal overdrive mode and the light will not
be illuminated.
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181
When to use D (Overdrive)Overdrive is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transmission. It works the same
way Drive works, automatically upshifting or
downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows.
However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth gear Ð
an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle cruises at
an appropriate consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.When to use Drive (D Ð with
Transmission Control Switch activated)Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrain. If the transmission shifts back and forth
between Third and Fourth gears while you are
driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle does not
have adequate power for climbing hills, depress the
TCS.
You can depress the TCS at any speed.
When to use 2 (Second)Use 2 (Second) for start-up on slippery roads or to
give you more engine braking to slow your vehicle
on downgrades.When to use 1 (Low)Use 1 (Low) when driving down steep grades. It
gives more engine braking to slow your vehicle than
2 (Second) on the downgrades. You can upshift
from 1 (Low) to 2 (Second) or from 1 (Low) to
Overdrive at any speed.P (Park)Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
rotating.
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.
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189
Roadside EmergenciesHazard FlashersThe flashers work whether your vehicle is running
or not. The flashers work for up to two hours
when the battery is fully charged and in good
condition without draining the battery excessively. If
the flashers run for longer than two hours or if the
battery is not fully charged, the battery can be
drained.
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a CollisionFuel Pump Shut-off SwitchIf the engine cranks but does not start even after a
small collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may
have been actuated. The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the fuel pump when your vehicle
has been involved in a substantial jolt.
Once the shut-off switch is actuated, you must reset
the switch by hand before you can start your
vehicle. The switch is on the left side of the trunk.
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237
Help Us Protect Our EnvironmentFord Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
Battery recycling symbolBecause your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the battery. If you
ever disconnect the battery or install a new battery,
you must allow the computer to ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly.
To let the engine do this, put the gearshift in P
(Park), turn off all the accessories, and start thevehicle. Let the engine idle for at least one minute.
(Engine must be warm in order to ªlearn.º) Also,
allow approximately 10 miles (16 km) of stop and
go traffic for your vehicle's engine to completely
ªrelearnº its idle.
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected
until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle will
eventually relearn its idle while you drive it, but it
takes much longer than if you use the previous
procedure.
Wiper BladesCheck the windshield wiper blades at least twice a
year. Also check them whenever they seem less
effective than usual. Substances such as tree sap
and some hot wax treatments used by commercial
car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the
windshield and the wiper blades. Use undiluted
windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
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253
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) TestingIn some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II
system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its
battery has just been serviced, the OBD II system is
reset to a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional mixed city and highway driving is
required to complete the check of the OBD II
system.
The driving modes required to reach the ready
condition consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of
city and highway driving as described below:q
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and go,
city type traffic with at least four idle periods.
q
At least ten minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.Before completing the above driving modes, the
engine must be warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the vehicle must not be
turned off during these driving modes.
Lights and Bulb ReplacementIt is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:q
headlamps
q
high-mount brakelamp
q
tail lamps
q
brakelamps
q
hazard flasher
q
turn signals
q
license plate lamps
File:11fnmc8.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 14:28:32 1996