1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR wheel

1242. Rotate the thumbwheel from ª0º to ª1º (the
lowest heat level). Allow five minutes for the
heat level to stabilize.
3. If the heat level is not high enough for
comfort, select increased heat levels ª2º
through ª5º (the maximum level). Allow at
least two minutes for the heat level to stabilize
at any new level selected.
4. If the heated seat switch is not turned off (ª0º
on the thumbwheel), the seat will heat up to
the selected temperature level each time the
car is started.
NOTE:Cooling the seat down takes considerably
longer than increasing its heat level.Important Safety Belt InformationThe use of safety belts helps to restrain you and
your passengers in case of a collision. In most states
and in Canada the law requires their use.Safety belts provide best restraint when:
q
the seatback is upright
q
the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)
q
the lap belt is snug and low on the hips
q
the shoulder belt is snug against the chest
q
the knees are straight forward
To help you remember to fasten your safety belt, a
warning light may come on and a chime may
sound. SeeSafety Belt Warning Light and Chimein
theInstrumentationchapter.
See the following sections in this chapter for
directions on how to properly use these safety belts.
Also seeSafety Restraints for Childrenin this
chapter for special instructions about using safety
belts for children.
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Update:Fri Jun 21 08:57:53 1996

1623. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and
the parking brake is set before you turn the
key.
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the
warning lights on the instrument panel to make
sure that they work. Refer to theInstrumentation
chapter.Starting Your EngineTo start your engine:
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.4. Turn the key to the START position (cranking)
until the engine starts. Allow the key to return
to the ON position after the engine has started.
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate
the steering wheel slightly because it may be
binding.
For a cold engine:
q
At temperatures10ÊF(-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do
not flood the engine, then try again.
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
File:08fntot.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:51:45 1996

167
DrivingBrakesApplying the BrakesYour vehicle has anti-lock disc brakes on all four
wheels. They adjust automatically as the brake pads
wear down.
When you press down hard on the brake pedal, the
wheels will not lock and slide. The Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) automatically starts releasing and
reapplying the front brakes independently and the
rear brakes together whenever your wheels start to
lock. When this happens, you will feel the brake
pedal pulsate. This is an indication that the ABS is
working correctly and is normal.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor damage
may also eventually occur.NOTE:If you are driving down a long or steep hill,
shift to a lower gear and do not apply your brakes
continuously. If you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less effective.
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes louder or more frequent, have your brakes
inspected by your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
Ford Motor Company has not found any
detrimental effects of popular mobile radio
transmitting equipment installed on vehicles with
the anti-lock brake system, if the equipment is
installed according to the manufacturer's
instructions. However, if mobile radio transmitting
equipment is installed in your vehicle and, if either
the anti-lock brake system cycles or the ANTI-LOCK
File:09fngft.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:52:03 1996

170Traction Assist
TM
(If equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Assist
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.
Traction Assist
TM
works automatically by rapidly
applying and releasing the brakes to prevent one or
both of the rear drive wheels from spinning during
acceleration.
During the Traction Assist
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 Assist
TM
is fully
effective up to approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).At 25 mph (40 km/h) the function begins to taper
off until it no longer operates above 34 mph
(55 km/h).
If the Traction Assis;
TM
system is cycled excessively,
the system will shut down to prevent the rear
brakes from overheating. A cooling down period is
required to prevent damage to the brakes. This time
period varies 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 Traction Assist
TM
function is restored.%Rear Air Suspension SystemYour vehicle is equipped with an automatic load
leveling rear air suspension system. This system
maintains the rear vehicle height at a constant level
by automatically adding air or releasing air from the
rear air springs to offset changes in vehicle loads.
File:09fngft.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:52:03 1996

176Overdrive 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 (jÐ 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.
File:09fngft.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:52:03 1996

193
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the
maximum vehicle load rating listed on the tire
decal.
q
tow a trailer.
q
use tire chains on this tire.
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove
it from its wheel.
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
q
drive through an automatic car wash with this
tire. Because the temporary spare tire is smaller
than a conventional tire, it reduces the ground
clearance. Your vehicle may get caught in the
rails and it could be damaged.
The Conventional Spare TireIf you have the conventional spare tire, you can use
it as a spare or as a regular tire. This spare tire is
identical to the other tires that come with your
vehicle, although the wheel may not match.Spare Tire LocationThe spare tire is stored under the carpet on the
floor of the trunk.
You will find additional instructions for the spare
tire on the warning label located on the wheel and
the jacking instructions located on the spare tire
cover.
File:10fnert.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 15:16:36 1996

194The spare tire location
To remove the spare tire:
1. Remove the spare tire cover.
2. Unscrew the wing-nut holding down the spare
tire.
3. Lift out the spare tire and jack kit.Preparing to Change the Tire1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move or
roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
Turn off the air suspension switch prior to
jacking.
File:10fnert.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 15:16:36 1996

198Locating the notch for the jack Ð rear wheelsLocating the notch for the jack Ð front wheels
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the wheel
clears the ground. Remove the wheel lug nuts.
3. If you are replacing the front tire (with
aluminum wheels) with the temporary spare
tire, you need to remove the black dust shield.
Gently pull the shield over the rubber o-rings
and slide it off the wheel studs. Because the
rubber o-rings are soft, they should pass
through the holes in the shield. If the rings do
not pass through the holes, remove them from
the wheel studs. Save the black dust shield for
future use, and ensure the rubber o-rings are
removed from wheel studs.
4. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making
sure that the air valve stem is facing outward.
5. Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the
wheel is snug against the hub. The beveled
edges on the lug nuts face inward. Do not fully
tighten the lug nuts until you lower the
vehicle. If you do, you could force the vehicle
off the jack.
File:10fnert.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 15:16:36 1996