1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR Owners Manual

enable you to avoid obstacles
and bring the vehicle to a
controlled stop.
²We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.
Parking brake with auto-release
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked.
To set the parking brake:
1. Move the gearshifter to P
(Park).
2. Push pedal downward.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is fully released.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
The parking brake is not designed
to stop a moving vehicle. However,
if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency.
Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's
stopping distance will increase
greatly and the handling of your
vehicle will be adversely affected.
HOOD
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98

Your vehicle has an automatic
parking brake release. To release
the parking brake:
1. Turn the ignition to the RUN
position.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshifter from the P
(Park) position to one of the
forward gears (the parking brake
will not release automatically when
you shift into reverse). The brake
pedal must remain pressed while
the gearshifter is moved.
If the parking brake fails to release
after completing this procedure,
use the manual parking brake
release lever.
Pull the lever to manually release
the parking brake.
TRACTION CONTROLY
(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
the optional Traction Controly
system. This system helps maintain
the stability and steerability of
your vehicle. It is especially useful
on slippery and/or hilly road
surfaces. The system operates by
detecting and controlling wheel
spin. The system borrows many of
the electronic and mechanical
elements already present in the
anti-lock braking system (ABS).
HOOD
Driving
99

Wheel-speed sensors allow excess
rear wheel spin to be detected by
the Traction Controlyportion of
the ABS computer. Any excessive
wheel spin is controlled by
automatically applying and
releasing the rear brakes in
conjunction with engine torque
reductions. Engine torque
reduction is realized via the fully
electronic spark and fuel injection
systems. This process is very
sensitive to driving conditions and
very fast acting. The rear wheels
ªsearchº for optimum traction
several times a second and
adjustment are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will
allow your vehicle to make better
use of available traction on
slippery surfaces. The system is a
driver aid which makes your
vehicle easier to handle primarily
on snow and ice covered roads.
During Traction Controly
operation you may hear an electric
motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the
engine will not ªrev-upº when you
push further on the accelerator.
This is normal system behavior.
If you should become stuck in
snow or ice or on a very slippery
road surface, tyro switching the
Traction Controlysystem off. This
may allow excess wheel spin to
ªdigº the vehicle out a enable a
successful ªrockingº maneuver.
If the Traction Controlysystem is
cycled excessively, the brake
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portion of the system will shut
down to prevent the rear brakes
from overheating. A limited
Traction Controlyfunction using
only engine torque reduction will
still control wheels from
over-spinning. When the rear
brakes have cooled down, the
system will again function
normally. Anti-lock braking is not
affected by this condition and will
function normally during the cool
down period.
If the engine coolant temperature
is below þ23ÉC (þ10ÉF) the engine
torque reduction portion of the
Traction Controlysystem isNOT
active. The system will operate
normally when the engine coolant
warms up.
Traction control switch
The traction control switch is
located on the left side of the
glove compartment. The traction
control system defaults to ON
when the ignition key is turned
from OFF to RUN.
The traction control must be
turned off if you are using a
mini-spare tire in a rear wheel
position.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with
power steering. Power steering
uses energy from the engine to
help steer the vehicle.
Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme right or the extreme
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101

left for more than a few seconds
when the engine is running. This
action could damage the power
steering pump.
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is
speed sensitive. At high speeds,
steering assist will decrease to
improve steering feel. At lower
speeds, maneuverability will be
increased.
If the amount of effort required to
steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the
power steering system checked by
your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is
designed to improve ride, handling
and general vehicle performance
during:
²certain road conditions
²steering maneuvers
²braking
²accelerations
This system keeps the rear of your
vehicle at a constant level by
automatically adding air or
releasing air from the springs.
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The air suspension shut-off switch
is located on the left side of the
trunk. If this switch is in the OFF
position, the rear air suspension
will not operate.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Automatic transmission
operation
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift from being
moved from P (Park) unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift
out of P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn
ignition key to LOCK, then remove
the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to
OFF. Apply the brake pedal and
shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift, it
AIR SUSPENSION
SWITCH
INTERRUPTEUR DE
LA SUSPENSION
PNEUMATIQUE
WARNING
AVERTISSEMENTOFF-ARRET
To prevent sudden
vehicle movement,
turn off air suspen-
sion switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or
towing vehicle.
Pour prévenir tout mouvement soudain du véhi-
cule, placer à l'arrêt l'interrupteur de la suspension
pneumatique avant de lever to véhicule (cric ou
pont élévateur) ou de le remorquer.
OFF
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is possible that a fuse has blown
and the vehicle's brakelamps may
not be operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle
until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud
or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse
gears in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each
gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
Driving with a 4±speed
automatic transmission
Understanding gearshift
positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards
you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
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Hold the brake pedal down
while you move the
gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and
injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the transmission
control switch on the end of the
gearshift lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) will illuminate in the
instrument cluster.
O/D
ON/OFF
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