1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII Engine

170Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:q
your vehicle is raised for service
q
the sound of the exhaust system changes
q
your vehicle has been damaged in a collision
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet
vents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.If the engine is idling while you are stopped in an
open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least one inch (2.5 cm). Also, adjust
the heating or air conditioning system to bring in
outside air.
If you use the Electronic Automatic Climate
Control, set the fan speed selector dial to a medium
or high blower speed with the VENT or PNL-FLR
function buttons pressed.
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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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175
NOTE:Engine torque reduction isNOTactive
when engine coolant temperature is below-10ÊF
(-23ÊC).
During the Traction Control
TM
function, which most
often occurs during low speed acceleration on
slippery surfaces, a noise may be heard coming from
the engine compartment. This is normal and may
last for a few seconds during the acceleration of the
vehicle.
In general, this system improves your vehicle's
stability and acceleration performance when road
conditions warrant. Traction Control
TM
is fully
effective at all vehicle speeds.
If the Traction Control
TM
system is cycled
excessively, the brake portion of the system will
shut down to prevent the rear brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Control
TM
function
using engine torque will still control wheels from
spinning. A cooling down period is required to
prevent damage to the brakes. This time periodvaries and depends on brake usage during the
cooling down period. Anti-Lock braking is not
affected and will function normally during the cool
down period.
After the cool down period, the full Traction
Control
TM
function is restored.
Air Suspension SystemYour vehicle is equipped with an automatic load
leveling air suspension system. This system
maintains the vehicle height at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the air
springs to offset changes in vehicle loads.
A shutoff switch is located in the trunk behind the
left hand vertical trim panel. If this switch is in the
OFF position, the automatic leveling system will not
operate. The switch should be OFF whenever
jacking up the vehicle. ªAIR RIDE SWITCH OFFº
will appear in the Message Center when the
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178To move the shifter out of P (Park), the ignition
key must be turned to the ON position. This
vehicle is also equipped with the brake shift
interlock safety feature which prevents shifting the
transmission out of the P (Park) position without
the brake pedal being depressed if the key is in the
ON position.
To operate:
1. Start the engine.
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. Thisfeature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be moved
from P (Park) with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
2. Apply parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise to
the first position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is possible
that a fuse has blown and that your brakelamps
may also not be functional. Please refer to the
Servicing Your Mark VIIIchapter for instructions on
checking and replacing fuses.
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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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188If you tow in D (Overdrive) while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, press the
Transmission Control Switch located on the shift
lever. This will also give the engine more power
going up hills and better engine braking going down
hills.
If you use the speed control while you are towing
on very long, steep grades, the speed control may
shut off.
Servicing Your Vehicle If You TowIf you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle
will need to be serviced more frequently than usual.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
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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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196
Thehig hcurren tfus epane lis locate din the engine
WARNING
Alway sdisconnec tth ebatter ybefore
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