1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR suspension

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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102

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
Driving
103

²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating): Carrying capacity for
each axle system. The GAWR is
specific to each vehicle and is
listed on the Safety Compliance
Label on the driver's door pillar.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with
lower weight capacities than the
originals because they may lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with
a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Your vehicle is classified as a light
duty towing vehicle. It does not
come from the factory fully
equipped to tow. No towing
packages are available through
Ford or Mercury/Lincoln dealers.
Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
3 200 km (2 000 miles).
Towing a trailer places an
additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transmission, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after towing.
The amount of weight your loaded
trailer should be no more than
907 kg (2 000 lbs.).
Driving
108

The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
1 10A Lighting Control Module (LCM)
2 30A EATC Blower Motor
3 10A Lighting Control Module (LCM)
4 7.5A Instrument Cluster
5 7.5A Lighting Control Module (LCM)
6 15A EATC, Heated Seats
7 15A Lighting Control Module (LCM),
Day/Night Sensor/Amplifier
8 10A Shift Lock, Speed Control, Air
Suspension, Steering Wheel Rotation
Sensor
9 20A Lighting Control Module (LCM),
Multi-Function Switch
10 20A Brake Pedal Position (BPP) Switch,
Brake Pressure Switch
11 10A Electronic Crash Sensor
12 15A Instrument Cluster, Anti-Theft, Ignition
Switch
13 10A Anti-Lock Brake Module, Traction
Control Switch
14 7.5A Transmission Control Switch, Lighting
Control Module (LCM)
15 20A Multi-Function Switch
16 30A Wiper Control Module (WCM),
Windshield Wiper Motor
17 10A Digital Transmission Range (DTR)
Sensor
18 7.5A Lighting Control Module (LCM), Front
Radio Control Unit, Cellular Telephone
Transceiver, Electronic Day/Night Mirror,
Compass Module
Roadside emergencies
118

The high-current fuses are coded
as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
1 50A** Ignition Switch
2 40A** Ignition Switch
3 50A** Cooling Fan
4 30A** PCM Power Relay
5 40A** I/P Fuse Panel, Fuses 10, 19, 21, 23, 25,
27, 32
6 30A** Starting System
7 50A** I/P Fuse Panel, Fuses 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 31
8 30A** Power Seats, I/P Fuse Panel, Fuse 30
9 50A** Anti-Lock Brakes
10 40A** Rear Defrost
11 40A** Accessory Delay Relay, I/P Fuse Panel,
Fuse 29
12 30A** Air Suspension
13 15A* Charging System
14 20A* Fuel Pump
15 10A* Air Bags
16 30A* Heated Seats
17 10A* Air Suspension
18 15A* Horn
19 30A* Subwoofer, I/P Fuse Panel, Fuse 23
20 15A* Fuel Injectors
21 15A* Heated Oxygen Sensors
22 Ð Not Used
23 Ð Not Used
24 20A* Auxiliary Power Outlet
25 30A** Power Lumbar, Power Seats
26 30A CB Cooling Fan
27 Ð Not Used
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121

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
Relay 1 Ð Fuel Pump Relay
Relay 2 Ð A/C Clutch Relay
Relay 3 Ð PCM Power Relay
Relay 4 Ð Air Suspension Relay
Relay 5 Ð Rear Defrost Relay
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving,
do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your
speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe
place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire
information
Your vehicle may have a temporary
or full-size spare tire. The
temporary spare tire for your
vehicle is labeled as such. It is
smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only.
Replace this tire with a full-size
tire as soon as possible.
If you use the temporary
spare tire continuously or
do not follow these precautions,
the tire could fail, causing you to
lose control of the vehicle,
possibly injuring yourself or
others.
Roadside emergencies
122

When driving with the temporary
spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under
any circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond
maximum vehicle load rating
listed on the Safety Compliance
Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car
wash, because of the vehicle's
reduced ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary
spare tire or remove it from its
wheel
²use the wheel for any other type
of vehicle
If the mini-spare tire is used as a
replacement for a rear wheel:
²Turn off the traction control
switch (located in the glove
box).
²Turn off the air suspension
switch (located on the left hand
side of the trunk).
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set parking
brake.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park).
Roadside emergencies
123

3. Remove the spare tire, jack and
lug wrench.
4. Remove the center ornament
from the aluminum wheel with the
tapered end of the wheel nut
wrench that came with your
vehicle. Insert and twist the
handle, then pry against the wheel.
5. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the
wheel is raised off the ground.
Refer toAnti-theft lug nutsfor
information on removing anti-theft
lug nuts.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
Refer toAir suspension systemin
theDrivingchapter for more
information.
OFF
Roadside emergencies
124