1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR warning

shudder while braking, felt mainly
in the steering wheel, the vehicle
most likely needs service.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock up during
brake applications and
compensating for this tendency.
The front wheels are prevented
from locking even when the brakes
are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during
hard braking.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates for
about five seconds when starting
the vehicle. If an ABS fault is
detected, the light will remain on
and your vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible.
Normal braking is still effective
unless the BRAKE warning lamp is
also illuminated.
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when
maximum efficiency from the
ABS is required, apply
continuous full force on the
brake. The ABS will be activated
immediately, thus allowing you
to retain full steering control of
your vehicle and, providing
there is sufficient space, will
!
BRAKE
Driving
97

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
Driving
98

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

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 ªService Engine Soonº light or
the temperature warning light.
These events could indicate that
the emission control system is not
working properly.
Maintenance and care
164

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, 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 theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of your
owners guide. Your vehicle may
Maintenance and care
165

Aiming headlamps ....................169
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................76
and child safety seats ..............78
description ................................77
disposal ......................................81
indicator light ...........................80
passenger air bag .....................79
Air suspension
description ..............................102
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS)#$description
Battery .......................................149
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............138
Brakes ..........................................96
anti-lock .....................................96
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................97
fluid, checking and adding ....138
traction control .........................99
Brake-shift interlock .................103
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................166
headlamps ...............................167
specifications ..........................171
Changing a tire .........................122
Child safety seats ........................84
Childproof locks ..........................51
Chime
headlamps on ............................13
Cleaning your vehicle ...............172
engine compartment ..............173
fabric ........................................175
instrument panel ....................175
plastic parts ............................174
safety belts ..............................176
tail lamps .................................175
washing ....................................172
waxing .....................................172
wheels ......................................173
windows ..................................178Climate control system
automatic temperature
control ..............26,27,28,29,32,33
Clock ............................................34
Compass, electronic
calibration .................................19
set zone adjustment .................18
Controls .......................................52
Daytime running light system ...25
Defrost
rear window ..............................34
Emission control system ..........163
Engine
service points ..........................134
Engine block heater ...................93
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............140
disposal ....................................142
refill capacities ........................142
Engine oil ...........................135,137
changing oil and oil filter .......137
checking and adding .......135,136
Exhaust fumes ............................94
Fail safe cooling ........................143
Floor mats ...................................53
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......162
improving fuel economy ........113
octane rating ...........................161
quality ......................................161
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................158
Fuel gauge ...................................14
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......114
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................117
power distribution box ...........120
Fuses ...................................115,116
Gauges, Mechanical ....................14
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
Hazard flashers .........................114
Index
186

Headlamps ...................................24
autolamp system .......................24
flashing ......................................26
high beam .................................25
Heating ........................................26
High beams
indicator light .............................9
Hood
release lever ............................133
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........35
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and interior .24
Jump-starting
your vehicle ........................126,128
attaching cables ......................127
disconnecting cables ..............128
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................57
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............13
Lamps
interior lamps .........................171
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
low coolant ................................10
oil pressure ...............................10
safety belt ...................................8
service engine soon .................6,7
traction control system ............10
turn signal indicator ...................9
Lubricant specifications ...........181
Message center ...........................16
reset button ..............................17
select button .............................17
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................47
cleaning ...................................178heated ........................................50
side view mirrors (power) .......50
Moon roof ....................................46
Odometer .....................................14
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................55
Parking brake ..............................98
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....179
Power door locks ........................49
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....145
Refill capacities for fluids ........180
Relays ........................................115
Remote entry system .................53
illuminated entry ......................57
locking/unlocking doors ......53,54
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................56
replacing the batteries .............55
Reporting safety defects ..........185
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................71,72
extension assembly ..................74
for children ...............................81
lap and shoulder belts .............70
maintenance ..............................75
proper use .................................68
warning light and chime .....13,75
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....89
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................85
in rear seat ................................88
tether anchorage hardware .....89
Seats ............................................64
adjusting the seat, manual .......67
adjusting the seat, power ...64,66
head restraints ..........................64
heated seats ..............................66
lumbar support .........................67
Servicing your vehicle ..............131
Index
187

precautions when servicing ...131
Speed control ..............................37
canceling a set speed ...............40
indicator light ...........................41
resuming a set speed ...............41
tap up/tap down ..................39,40
turning off .................................38
Speed sensitive steering ..........102
Speedometer ...............................15
Starting your vehicle ........90,91,93
Steering, power .........................101
Tilt steering wheel ......................36
Tires ....................................152,155
changing ..................................123
checking the pressure ............155
replacing ..................................157
rotating ....................................155
snow tires and chains ............157
treadwear ................................153
Trailer towing
tips ...........................................111
Transmission .............................146
automatic operation .......103,104,
105,106,107
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................146Trunk
using the remote entry
system to open ....................48,55
Turn signal
lever ...........................................36
Universal transmitter ..................42
erasing channels .......................46
operating ...................................45
programming .............................43
Vehicle dimensions ...................182
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................184
Vehicle loading ..........................107
Ventilating your vehicle .............95
Warning chimes .............................6
Windows
accessory delay .........................49
power windows, operating .......49
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................151
operation ...................................37
Wrecker towing .........................129
Index
188