1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII Owners Manual

124. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again. Do
not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the
light is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact
your nearest dealer for further service actions.
For more information about adding oil, seeAdding
engine oilin theMaintenance and Carechapter.
Traction ControlHActive Light
(If equipped)This light comes on when the Traction ControlH
system begins applying and releasing the brakes and
adjusting the engine characteristics to limit a
wheelspin condition.
It will be lit for a minimum of six seconds or for
the duration of the Traction ControlHevent.
For more information aboutTraction Controlrefer
to theDrivingchapter.
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Cruise Control Indicator LightThis light comes on when the speed control system
is actively maintaining the set speed. It will go off
when the brakes are used or if the speed control is
turned off.
Charging System LightThis light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.This light illuminates every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine off).
The light should go off when the engine starts and
the alternator begins to charge.
If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine
is running, have the electrical system checked as
soon as possible.
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14Turn Signal Indicator LightsWhen you push the turn signal lever up before
making a right turn, the right side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
When you push the turn signal lever down before
making a left turn, the left side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically after
you turn your vehicle. If the turn signal continues
to flash after you have made the turn, push the
lever back to the OFF position.
If one or both of your turn indicators do not flash
or stay on continuously, have them serviced as soon
as possible. In the meantime, be sure to use the
accepted hand signals.High Beam LightThis light illuminates when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the lights.
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Chime for Headlamps OnThis chime sounds if the driver or any passenger
door is open when the parking lamps or headlamps
are on. The chime sounds until you close the door,
turn off the lamps or turn the ignition to the ON
position.Redundant Electronic Gearshift
IndicatorThe redundant electronic gearshift indicator
The instrument cluster is equipped with a
redundant set of gearshift indicator lights located in
the center of the cluster between the speedometer
and the tachometer gauges.
These lights operate with the key in the ON
position only and displays the same gear selection as
the lights located on the floor console next to the
gearshift lever.
The light that is illuminated indicates which
position the transmission gearshifter is in.
NOTE:If the shifter is moved very quickly (less
than one second) over more than one gear selection
(for example from P [PARK] to D [DRIVE]), the
lights in between these positions may not get a
chance to turn on. Only the last selected gear
indicator will light up.
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16The Instrument ClusterIn addition to warning lights, the instrument cluster
has an electronic odometer, a speedometer,
tachometer, fuel and coolant temperature gauges.OdometerThe odometer tells you the total number of miles
(kilometers) your vehicle has been driven.
SpeedometerThe speedometerThe speedometer tells you how many miles
(kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving.
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TachometerThe tachometerThe tachometer displays the approximate engine
revolutions per minute (rpm), or how fast the
engine is running.
You can drive your vehicle at most rpm points on
the tachometer but you must stay out of the red
zone.
Engine Coolant Temperature GaugeThis gauge indicates the temperature of the engine
coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not
at its proper level or mixture, the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
The engine coolant temperature gauge
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18The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into the
NORMAL band as the engine coolant warms up. It
is acceptable for the pointer to fluctuate within the
NORMAL band under normal driving conditions.
Under certain driving conditions such as, heavy stop
and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot weather,
the pointer may indicate at the top of the NORMAL
band.
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the NORMAL band, the engine is overheating
and continued operation may cause engine damage.
If your engine overheats:
1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safely possible.
2. Turn off the engine.3. Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE
COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE
ENGINE IS COOL.
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant to
your engine, seeEngine Coolantin the Index.
If you do not follow these instructions, you or
others could be injured.
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced as soon as possible.
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Fuel GaugeThe fuel gauge displays approximately how much
fuel you have in the fuel tank.
For a proper fuel gauge indication after adding fuel,
the ignition switch should be in the OFF position
while the vehicle is being refueled.The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly while the
vehicle is in motion. This is the result of fuel
movement within the tank. An accurate reading
may be obtained with the vehicle on smooth, level
ground.
The Electronic Message CenterThe Electronic Message Center (M/C) display,
located in the center of the instrument panel, works
only when your ignition is in the ON or ACC
position. Each time that M/C is powered, the
display goes through a self-test by displaying the
time and a blank message for two seconds. This
self-test is used to stabilize the systems before
reporting the status of the systems to you.
The M/C tells you about the condition of your
vehicle by three methods:q
Operator selectable features
q
Vehicle system status displays
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