1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR maintenance schedule

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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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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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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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.
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230If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive your
vehicle for a long period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering pump.Automatic Transmission FluidUnder normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transmission, since your
vehicle does not use up transmission fluid. Refer to
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for replacement
intervals. However, if the transmission is not
working properly Ð for instance, the transmission
may slip or shift slowly, or you may notice some
sign of fluid leakage Ð the fluid level should be
checked.
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid level
at normal operating temperature150ÊF-170ÊF
(66ÊC-77ÊC),after approximately 20 miles (30 km)
of driving. However, if necessary, you can check
the fluid level without having to drive 20 miles
(30 km) to obtain a normal operating temperature if
outside temperatures are above50ÊF(10ÊC).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 is below the bottom hole on the dipstick
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.
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245
q
English: MPG = (total miles)/(gallons used).
q
Metric: L/100K = (liters used) x 100/(total
kilometers)
Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy EstimatesEPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions and
may not reflect the actual conditions you experience
or your style of driving. The EPA fuel economy
estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve
the fuel economy shown.
The following decrease fuel economy:q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
q
Sudden stops
q
Extended engine idling
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
q
Underinflated tires
q
Heavy loads
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage
racks, bug deflectors, etc.
Self-Service PointersIf you choose to do your own fueling, you should
also perform a few simple maintenance routines.
This extra effort will save you additional money and
contribute to the driving efficiency of your vehicle.
The following procedures require only a tire gauge,
a rag, an oil can spout and windshield washer fluid.q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
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306
M
Maintenance schedule and record
(see separate Maintenance Schedule
and Record booklet)........... 3
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 211
Master cylinder, brakes......... 221
Memory seat (programmable
memory seat)............ 99
Message center
door ajar.............. 31
low washer fluid........... 31
trunk ajar.............. 32
Mileage, calculating fuel economy..... 244
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview mirror . . . 89
heated............... 101
rearview.............. 89
side view mirrors.......... 100
Moon roof............... 87
Motorcraft parts............ 257
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration............ 263
New vehicle break-in........... 5
O
Octane rating............. 241
Odometer
description............. 21
Oil filter.............220, 257
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 218
Oil viscosity.............. 218
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 248
Overseas offices............ 272
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system . 112
Parking brake
operation.............. 168
warning light............ 12
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)....... 257
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Update:Mon Jun 17 13:58:01 1996