1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII check engine light

States) because it may cause these problems to become more
pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) issued a
gasoline specification to provide information on high quality fuels that
optimize the performance of your vehicle. We recommend the use of
gasolines that meet the AAMA specification if they are available.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel.
Cleaner air
Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve air quality, including
reformulated gasolines that contain oxygenates up to 10% ethanol or
15% MTBE.
Do not use gasolines containing methanol, which can damage critical fuel
system components. Damage resulting from the use of methanol may not
be covered by your warranty.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out fuel because this situation may have an adverse affect
on modern powertrain components.
You may need to crank the engine several times before the system starts
to pump fuel from the tank to the engine. If you run out of fuel, your
Check Engine light may come on. For more information on the Check
Engine light, refer to theInstrumentationchapter.
Calculating fuel economy
To accurately calculate your vehicle's fuel economy:
1. Fill the tank completely and record the initial odometer reading.
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five fuel tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and
record the current mileage reading.
4. Use one of the following equations to calculate fuel economy.
Liters used x 1004Total kilometers traveled
Total miles traveled4Total gallons used
Maintenance and care
143

Keep a record for at least one month. This will provide an accurate
estimate of the vehicle's fuel economy.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the services listed in your ªService Guideº performed according
to the specified schedule.
The Scheduled Maintenance Services listed in the ªService Guideº are
required because they are considered essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure, the
charging system warning light, the ªCheck Engineº light or the
temperature warning light. These events could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
If you smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle, have
the dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive
if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
Maintenance and care
144

sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ªcheck engine/service
engine soonº light is on, reference the applicable light description in the
Warning Lights and Chimessection of your owners guide. Your vehicle
may not pass the I/M test with the ªcheck engine/service engine soonº
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop and go, city type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
Maintenance and care
145

Aiming headlamps ....................154
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................77
and child safety seats ..............78
description ................................77
disposal ......................................81
indicator light ...........................80
passenger air bag .....................79
Air suspension
description ................................97
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ................................93
Anti-theft system ........................63
Battery .......................................135
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............128
Brakes ..........................................93
anti-lock .....................................93
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................94
fluid, checking and adding ....128
Brake-shift interlock ...................97
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................145
specifications ..........................154
Changing a tire .........................115
Child safety seats ........................82
Chime
headlamps on ............................11
Cleaning your vehicle ...............156
engine compartment ..............157
fabric ........................................158
instrument panel ....................158
plastic parts ............................158
safety belts ..............................158
tail lamps .................................158
washing ....................................156
waxing .....................................156
wheels ......................................157
windows ..................................160
woodtone trim ........................160Climate control system
automatic temperature
control ..............34,35,36,37,38,39
Compass, electronic ...............22,23
Controls ..................................57,58
Defrost
rear window ..............................40
Emission control system ..........144
Engine ........................................164
service points ..........................125
Engine block heater ...................91
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............130
disposal ....................................131
refill capacities ........................131
Engine oil ...........................126,127
changing oil and oil filter .......128
checking and adding .......126,127
Exhaust fumes ............................92
Floor mats ...................................58
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......143
improving fuel economy ........106
octane rating ...........................142
quality ......................................142
running out of fuel .................143
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................141
Fuel gauge ...................................14
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......107
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................109
power distribution box ...........113
Fuses ...................................108,109
Gauges, Mechanical ....................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................12
Hazard flashers .........................107
Headlamps ...................................32
daytime running lights .............32
flashing ......................................33
high beam .................................32
Index
168

Heating ........................................34
High beams
indicator light .............................8
Hood
release lever ............................124
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........40
Instrument panel
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................33
Jump-starting
your vehicle ........................119,120
attaching cables ......................120
disconnecting cables ..............121
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................63
keypad .......................................60
programming entry code ....61,62
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............12
Lamps
headlamps ........................146,151
interior lamps ...........................52
map lamps .................................52
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............6
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ............................................6
charging system ..........................7
check engine ..........................9,10
cruise indicator ...........................8
oil pressure .................................7
overdrive off ..............................11
safety belt ...................................9
turn signal indicator ...................8
Lubricant specifications ...........163
Message center ...........................14
reset button ..............................20
Mirrors
cleaning ...................................160
side view mirrors (power) .......54Moon roof ....................................51
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................60
Parking brake ..............................94
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....161
Power door locks ........................54
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....132
Refill capacities for fluids ........162
Relays ........................................108
Remote entry system .................58
locking/unlocking doors ......58,59
Reporting safety defects ..........167
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................73,74
extension assembly ..................75
for children ...............................81
lap and shoulder belts .............72
maintenance ..............................76
proper use .................................71
warning light and chime .....11,76
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....86
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................83
in rear seat ................................86
tether anchorage hardware .....87
Seats ............................................66
adjusting the seat, power ........66
auto-glide ..................................69
heated seats ..............................67
lumbar support .........................68
rear seat access ........................70
Servicing your vehicle ..............123
precautions when servicing ...123
Speed control ..............................43
canceling a set speed ...............46
indicator light ...........................47
resuming a set speed ...............47
tap up/tap down .......................45
turning off .................................43
Index
169