1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII Owners Manual

260Cleaning Your VehicleWashing and Polishing Your VehicleWash the outside of your vehicle, including the
underside, with a mild detergent.
DO NOT:q
Wash your vehicle with hot water
q
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct
sunlight
q
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the
paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle
as often as necessary to keep it clean.
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed
to chemical industrial fallout.Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to
a defect inpaint materials or workmanship and
therefore is not covered by warranty. Ford,
however, believes that continual improvement in
customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this
reason, Ford has authorized its dealers to repair, at
no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new
vehicles damaged by environmental fallout within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of
purchase, whichever comes first. Customers may be
required to bring their vehicle in for inspection by a
Ford representative.
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and
protect the finish.
Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum PartsWash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild
detergent. Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
fuel, or strong detergents.
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261
Cleaning Plastic PartsSome of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are
plastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover if
necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning.
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove
oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil
remover. If rustproofing is not removed from plastic
and rubber parts, it can cause deterioration.
Cleaning the Safety BeltsClean the safety belts with any mild soap solution
that is recommended for cleaning upholstery or
carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belt webbing
because this may weaken it.
Clean the instrument panel lens and woodtone trim
with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner. Do not use
paper towel or any abrasive cleaner to clean either
the lens or the woodtone trim as these may cause
scratches.Cleaning the Exterior LampsDo not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or
abrasive cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may
cause scratches or crack the lamps.
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262Cleaning the Interior LampsYour interior dome lamps and map lamps are plastic
and should be cleaned with a mild detergent
diluted in water. Rinse them with clear water.Cleaning the SeatsLeatherFor routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft,
damp cloth. For more thorough cleaning, wipe the
surface with a leather and vinyl cleaner or a mild
soap.
Wipe the surface with a damp, soft cloth, then dry
and buff with a dry, soft cloth.
Cleaning the WheelsWash the wheels with the same detergent you use
to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based
wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives, fuel, or strong
detergents. These substances will damage protective
coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to remove
grease and tar.
NOTE:Before going to a car wash, find out if the
brushes are abrasive.
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263
Capacities and SpecificationsRefill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts,
and Lubricant SpecificationsMotorcraft Parts
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264Fluid Specifications and Capacities
NOTE:Rear axle lube quantities must be replaced
every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or if the axle
has been submerged in water. Otherwise, the lube
should not be checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or repair required.
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265
Lubricant Specifications
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266NOTE:Rear axle lube quantities must be replaced
every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or if the axle
has been submerged in water. Otherwise, the lube
should not be checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or repair required.Vehicle StorageMaintenance TipsIf you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended
period of time (60 days or more), refer to the
following maintenance recommendations to ensure
your vehicle stays in good operating condition.Generalq
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust and
damage.
Bodyq
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease,
oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces, rear
wheel housing and underside of front fenders.
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent discoloration.
Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed.
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil.
q
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
q
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
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267
Engineq
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
Fuel systemq
Fill fuel tank with high-quality, premium
unleaded fuel until the first automatic shutoff of
the fuel pump nozzle.
NOTE:During extended periods of vehicle storage
(60 days or more), fuel may deteriorate due to
oxidation. This can damage rubber and other
polymers in the fuel system and may also clog small
orifices.Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60 days.
Follow the instructions on the label. The vehicle
should then be operated at idle speed to circulate
the additive throughout the fuel system.
A volatile corrosion inhibitor added to the fuel
system will protect the fuel system's inner surfaces
from corrosion. Follow the instructions packaged
with the product.
Cooling systemq
Protect against freezing temperatures.
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