1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 3
Controls and features 24
Seating and safety restraints 64
Starting and driving
Starting 90
Driving 96
Roadside emergencies 114
Servicing
Maintenance and care 131
Capacities and specifications 179
Reporting safety defects 185
Index 186
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Copyright
r
1997 Ford Motor CompanyElemental Chlorine Free
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section onWarningsfor
a full explanation.
Indicates vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information
which may reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle and its equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of
driving, vary speeds frequently.
This is necessary to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full
use of the brakes for the first
1 600 km (1 000 miles).
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
GUIDE
The information found in this
guide was in effect at the time of
printing. Ford may change the
contents without notice and
without incurring obligation.
Introduction
2

OFF
P102030405060
70
80
90
100
120206080
40100
120
160 140
180MPHkm/h110HF
E1
2FILL ON
LEFT<
CHECK
TRAC
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
PANEL
DIMLO
F
S
OFF
MIST
VOL
PUSH ON
AM
SRS
RESUME
SET ACCEL
COAST
OFF
ONNEXT
MODEVOL
TEMP FAN
Headlamp control
(pg. 24)
Speed control
(pg. 37)Gearshift lever
(pg. 103)
Driver side
air bag
(pg. 76) Turn signal and
wiper/washer
control
(pg. 36)Instrument
cluster
(pg. 6) Panel dimmer
switch
(pg. 24)
*if equipped
Instrumentation
4

TAPESEEK
TUNE
REW
FFSIDE 1 2
COMP
SHUFF
EJ
RDS
SCAN AUTO
123
4
56
BASS
TREBSELBAL
FADE
MAX
A/CAUTO
FRONT
REAR
SELECTRESET
Climate control
systems
(pg. 26)Clock
(pg. 34) Electronic sound
system; refer to
Audio Guide
(pg. 35)
Passenger side
air bag
(pg. 77)
Traction control
switch*
(pg. 101)
Instrumentation
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Service engine soon
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the
engine's emission control system.
This system is commonly known as
the On Board Diagnostics System
(OBD II). This OBD II system
protects the environment by
ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government
emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service
technician in properly servicing
your vehicle.
TheService Engine Soon
indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the ON
position to check the bulb. If it
comes on after the engine is
started, one of the engine's
emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may
illuminate without a driveability
concern being noted. The vehicle
10
2030405060
70
80
90
100
120206080
40100
120
160 140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPHkm/h
110
HF
E1
2
FILL ON
LEFT<
AIR
BAG CHECK
TRAC
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
TRUNK AJAR DOOR AJAR
TRAC OFF AIR SUSPENSION
O/D OFF TRAC ACTIVE
SPEED CONTROL COMPASSkmCIRCLE
SLOWLYWASHER FUEL ECON AVG
LTR/100km
FUEL REMAIN
DIST TO EMPTY
AVG SPEED
TRIP A B
E/M km MILES/GAL
BRAKE
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
6

will usually be drivable and will not
require towing.
What you should do if the
Service Engine Soon light
illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system
has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause
yourService Engine Soonlight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel.
(The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been
properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or
properly installing and securely
tightening the gas cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions
present, theService Engine Soon
light should turn off. (A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine
startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No
additional vehicle service is
required.
If theService Engine Soonlight
remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Instrumentation
7

Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which
could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a
moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and
have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire
conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could
damage the catalytic converter,
the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle
components, possibly causing a
fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. Also illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
AIR
BAG
!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
8

parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light remains
on, continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system
serviced immediately.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior
bulbsin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
ABS
Instrumentation
9