1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR engine

PREPARING TO START YOUR
VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the
ignition system. This system meets
all Canadian Interference-Causing
Equipment standard requirements
regulating the impulse electrical
field strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected
engine, avoid pressing the
accelerator before or during
starting. Only use the accelerator
when you have difficulty starting
the engine. For more information
on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this
chapter.
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
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.
Starting
90

Do not start your vehicle
in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start
the engine. SeeGuarding
against exhaust fumesin this
chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes
inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the
engine's idle revolutions per
minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to
warm the engine. If the engine idle
speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle
checked. Do not allow the vehicle
to idle for more than ten minutes.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
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91

3. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
4. Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
5. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
HOOD
1
2
34
5
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
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92

Make sure the corresponding lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the light (
) will not
illuminate.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5 (START)
without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will return
to 4 (ON).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts or if the temperature
is below -12ÉC (10ÉF), depress the
accelerator and start the engine
while holding the accelerator
down. Release the accelerator
when the engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the
3
2
1
5
4
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93

heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. They are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach
-23ÉC (-10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
longer than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical
shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded
electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust
fumes
Although odorless and colorless,
carbon monoxide is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions
to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust
fumes of any kind inside
your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes. These
fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
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94

Have the exhaust and body
ventilation systems checked
whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service.
²the sound of the exhaust system
changes.
²the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision.
Important ventilating
information
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (one
inch).
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning (if equipped) to bring
in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
Starting
95

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
Driving
100

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