1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR maintenance

3
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book
and search in the alphabetical listing for the word
that best describes the information you need. If the
word you chose is not listed, think of other related
words and look them up. We have designed the
Index so that you can find information under a
technical term.Canadian Owners Ð French VersionFrench Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.The Lincoln CommitmentThe Lincoln Commitment is more than the prestige
of owning a superior luxury automobile, it is a
comprehensive owner benefits package that is
designed to provide you with services to support
your every driving need. Refer to the Lincoln
Commitment brochure for more information.
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record BookletTheMaintenance Schedulebooklet lists the services
that are most important for keeping your vehicle in
good condition. A record log is also provided to
help you keep track of all services performed.About the WarrantiesYour vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:
Basic Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warranties
on certain parts, andEmissions Warranties.
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully to
find out about your vehicle's warranties and your
basic rights and responsibilities.
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses
and phone numbers on the first page of this
Owner's Guide.
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4Ford Extended Service PlanMore Protection for Your VehicleYou can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only extended
service program with the Ford name on it and the
only service contract backed by Ford Motor
Company.
Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and
administered by Ford. It provides:q
protection against repair costs after your Bumper
to Bumper Warranty expires;
and
q
other benefits during the warranty period (such
as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for
certain maintenance and wear items).You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford Motor Company dealer. There are several Ford
ESP plans available in various time-and-mileage
combinations. Each plan can be tailored to fit your
own driving needs, including reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental. (In Hawaii, rules
vary. See your dealer for details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind
protection throughout the United States and
Canada, provided by a network of more than 5,100
participating Ford Motor Company dealers.
NOTE:Repairs performed outside the United States
and Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.
This information is subject to change. Ask your
dealer for complete details about Ford ESP coverage.
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Update:Mon Jun 17 13:45:23 1996

14Check Engine Warning LightThis light illuminates when the engine's Emission
Control System requires service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON
position and the engine is off.
Air Bag Readiness LightThe air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone
to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument panel. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this
light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn
off. This indicates that the system is operating
normally.NOTE:Regularly scheduled maintenance
of the air bag system is not required.
If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash,
remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.
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16If you lose engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Shut off the engine immediately. If you do not
stop the engine as soon as safely possible,
severe engine damage could result.
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine oil,
seeEngine Oilin the Index. If you do not
follow these instructions, you or others could
be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your
car should be on level ground.
4. 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 of
this guide.
Turn 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.
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139
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System consists
of:q
driver and passenger air bag modules (which
include the inflators and air bags),
q
one or more impact and safing sensors,
q
a system diagnostic module,
q
a readiness light and tone,
q
and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits,
the air bag electrical system, the air bag readiness
light, the air bag power, and the air bag inflators.
Determining if System Is OperationalThe Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System uses a
readiness light and a tone to indicate the condition
of the system. The readiness light is in the
instrument cluster. When you turn the ignition key
to ON, this light will illuminate for approximatelysix (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates
that the system is operating normally. NOTE:
Routine maintenance of the air bag system is not
required.
A problem with the system is indicated by one or
more of the following:
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
q
the readiness light will not light immediately
after ignition is turned on,
q
a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the problem
and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently,
have the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
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Update:Fri Jun 21 08:57:53 1996

208Jump-Starting1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in
the way of moving engine parts, then start the
booster vehicle. Run the engine at a moderate
speed.
2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle. It
may take a couple of tries before the vehicle
starts. If the vehicle does not start after several
attempts, there may be a different problem.
3. When both vehicles are running, let them idle
for a few minutes to charge the discharged
battery.Removing jumper cables1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order.Remove the negative (s) end
of the jumper cable from the metallic surface
on the engine or frame of the disabled vehicle.2. Remove the negative (s) cable from the
booster battery.
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the booster
battery.
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+) cable
from the discharged battery.
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while to
let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions. Drive it
around for a while with all electrical accessories
turned off to let the battery recharge. Driveability
may be deteriorated slightly until all drive modes
are ªrelearned.ºYou may need to use a battery
charger to fully recharge the battery.
If you need to replace your battery, seeBatteryin
theMaintenance and Carechapter.
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211
Maintenance and CareService Made EasyFord has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
q
When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your vehicle
easy. The maintenance schedule is located in
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you
need to check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner
Maintenance Checks listed in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet be performed for the proper
operation of your vehicle. In addition to the
conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance
Checklist, be alert for any unusual noise, vibration,
or other indication that your vehicle may need
service. If you do notice something unusual, see
that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
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Update:Mon Jun 17 13:54:56 1996

218Engine Oil RecommendationsWe recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the
front of the container.
The API Certification Mark
Neveruse:q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments or
engine treatments
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and engine
protection for all climates down to-15ÊF (-25ÊC).
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of
the preferred viscosity may be used in your engine.
The engine oil and oil filter must still be changed
according to the maintenance schedule.
File:11fnmct.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:54:56 1996