1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII Engine

224It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED engine
oil of the preferred viscosity. Your vehicle's
warranty coverage may not apply if engine damage
is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted
in yellow. To add oil, remove the filler cap and use
a funnel to pour oil into the opening. Be careful not
to overfill the engine. Recheck the oil level after
you finish adding oil.Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil
FilterYour vehicle has an OIL LIFE LEFT function as part
of the Vehicle Message Center (M/C). This device
displays the percent of useful engine oil life left and
when an oil change is required. Use of a
CERTIFIED oil of the preferred viscosity is required
for this device to work properly. Change your
engine oil and oil filter when the message centerdisplaysCHANGE OIL SOON or OIL CHANGE
REQUIRED. If the Message Center malfunctions,
you may determine your oil change interval based
on the following guidelines.
Change your engine oil and oil filter according to
these mileage and time requirements, whichever
occurs first.
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228
EngineCoolant
WARNING
Th ecoolin gfan is automati can dmay

230Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid
E2FZ-19549-AA (in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or
an equivalent premium engine coolant that meets
Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A. Ford Premium
Engine Coolant is an optimized formula that will
protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in
Ford cooling systems for 4 years or 50,000 miles
(80,000 km).
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm
your engine cooling system. The use of an improper
coolant may void the warranty of your vehicle's
engine cooling system.Recycled engine coolantFord Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes. Not all
coolant recycling processes produce coolant whichmeets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A, and use of
such coolant may harm engine and cooling system
components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and disposing
of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacityTo find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling
system can hold, refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specificationschapter.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system
for leaks if you have to add more than a quart
(liter) of engine coolant per month.Severe winter climateIf you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
-34ÊF[-36ÊC]), it may benecessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to the chart
on the coolant container to ensure the coolant
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231
concentration in your vehicle is such that the
coolant will not freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during winter months. Never
increase the engine coolant concentration above
60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
Proper procedures for a complete coolant drain and
flush of the cooling system can be found in theCar
Service Manual.Following these recommended
procedures will ensure that the specified coolant
level and a 50/50 or appropriate mixture of coolant
and water is maintained.Engine Coolant Refill ProcedureWhen the entire cooling system is drained and
refilled, the following procedure should be used to
ensure a complete fill:
NOTE:It is imperative the following procedure be
adhered to. Failure to do so could result in damage
to your engine.
q
Remove coolant reservoir pressure cap.
q
Remove the engine coolant outlet tube fill plug
on the engine.
q
With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50
mixture of recommended cooling system fluid
and water to the coolant outlet tube fill neck
until the reservoir is full.
NOTE:DO NOT FILL COOLANT SYSTEM
THROUGH COOLANT RESERVOIR. COOLANT
WILL NOT ENTER ENGINE, WHICH CAN LEAD
TO ENGINE DAMAGE.
NOTE:Avoid spilling coolant on the front end
accessory drive belt, as this will allow the belt to
slip and become noisy.
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the coolant
reservoir.
q
Continue filling at the engine coolant tube fill
neck slowly while allowing air to escape.
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232q
Reinstall the engine coolant tube fill plug when
the system is full.
q
Select maximum heater temperature and fan
speed settings. Position control to discharge air
at A/C vents in instrument panel.
q
Start engine and allow to idle. While engine is
idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.
NOTE:IF AIR DISCHARGE REMAINS COOL AND
ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT
MOVE,SHUT ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY.
This is an indication of low coolant level and/or air
pockets in coolant system. Allow engine to cool and
repeat the previous steps.
q
Allow to idle until normal operating temperature
is reached. Hot air should discharge from A/C
vents. The engine temperature gauge should
maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of
the ªNORMALº range and the lower radiator
hose should feel hot to the touch.
q
Shut off the engine and allow to cool down.
q
After the engine cools down, recheck the
engine coolant level. Fill reservoir to the
COLD-FULL level as required.
q
Check for leaks at the draincock, block plug
and vent plug.
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use. Fill to COLD-FULL
level as required.
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233
Power Steering FluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid at least
twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid1. Start the engine and let it run until the power
steering fluid reaches normal operating
temperature. The power steering fluid will be at
the right temperature when the engine coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is
near the center of the NORMAL operating
temperature range.
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
back and forth several times. Make sure that
the cap assembly is installed at this time.3. Turn the engine off and check the level on the
power steering reservoir.
4. The fluid level is viewed through the sight
window on the power steering reservoir. If the
power steering fluid is below the middle line,
add fluid in small amounts, continuously
checking the level. Do not overfill.
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235
NOTE:If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in city traffic
during hot weather, or pulling a trailer, the vehicle
should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
the fluid to cool before checking.Checking the Automatic Transmission
FluidWith the vehicle on a level surface and the brake
fully applied, start the engine and move the gear
shift selector through all of the gears allowing
sufficient time for each position to engage. Securely
latch the gear shift selector in the P (Park) position.
Fully set the parking brake and leave the engine
running.
NOTE:Your vehicle should not be driven if the
fluid level does not appear on the dipstick tip and
outside temperatures are above50ÊF(10ÊC).
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back
into the filler tube and make sure it is fully seated.Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid level.
When checking fluid at normal operating
temperatures150ÊF-170ÊF (66ÊC-77ÊC), thefluid
level should be within the ªHOTº notched area on
the dipstick. When the vehicle has not been driven,
and outside temperatures are above68ÊF(20ÊC),
the fluid levels should be between the ªHOTº
notch and the tip end of the dipstick.
Adding Automatic Transmission FluidBefore adding any fluid, be sure that the correct
type will be used. Use only MerconHFluid, as
shown on handle.
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (250ML) increments through
the filler tube to bring the level to the correct area
on the dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL. If the level is
above the top hole on the dipstick, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified technician.
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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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