1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR coolant temperature

Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Engine oil pressure
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the
oil level and add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and Carechapter.
Engine coolant temperature
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let it cool.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter. If light
stays on or continues to turn on after the vehicle warms up, have your
vehicle serviced.
This light also illuminates briefly when the ignition key is turned to ON.
Check Trac (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. If the light stays on, the
Traction Controlysystem needs to
be serviced.
CHECK
TRAC
Instrumentation
9

Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the engine cool. Refer toEngine coolant
in theMaintenance and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate. If the gauge enters the red section, the oil
pressure/engine coolant andCheck Engine/Service Engine Soon
indicators illuminate, refer toWhat you should know about fail-safe
coolingin theMaintenance and carechapter.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
The electronic message center only works when the ignition is in the ON
position.
The message center allows you to:
²see problems such as door ajar
and trunk ajar.
²see the compass direction.
²check the on/off status of air
suspension and speed control
systems.
H
TRUNK AJAR DOOR AJAR
TRAC OFF AIR SUSPENSION
O/D OFF TRAC ACTIVE
SPEED CONTROL COMPASSkmCIRCLE
SLOWLY
Instrumentation
14

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 temperature is above ±12ÉC (10ÉF) and the engine does not
start within five seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the temperature is below -12ÉC (10ÉF) and the engine does not
start in fifteen seconds on the first try, turn the key OFF and wait ten
seconds and try again. If the engine does not start in two attempts,
depress the accelerator and start the engine while holding the
accelerator down to the floor. 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 heater-defroster
system to respond quickly. Use of an engine block heater is 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.
3
2
1
5
4
Starting
107

Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549±AA (in Oregon,
F5FZ-19549±CC, in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10) or an equivalent
premium engine coolant that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44±A.
DO NOT USE Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant
F6AZ-19544±AA, meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44±D
(orange in color). Do not add recycled coolant to your vehicle.
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine coolants mixed
with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. Do not use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm your engine cooling
system. The use of an improper coolant may void the warranty of your
vehicle's engine cooling system.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine coolant produced by Ford-approved
processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44±A, and use of such coolant may harm engine
and cooling system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36ÉC [±34ÉF]), it may
be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the coolant concentration in
your vehicle is such that the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months. Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme climates.
Maintenance and care
149

What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The ªfail-safeº distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
²the engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the H (hot)
area.
²the
symbol will illuminate.
²a tone will sound 3 times.
²theService Engine Soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate, however:
²the engine power will be limited.
²the air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
²the
symbol will begin to flash.
²a tone will sound 5 times.
²the engine will completely shut down, causing steering and braking
effort to increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
H
Maintenance and care
150

When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
Maintenance and care
151

Coolant ...............................147,149
checking and adding ..............148
refill capacities .................149,181
specifications ...................182,184
Customer Assistance ................187
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................194
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................188
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............193
Getting roadside assistance ...187
Getting the service
you need .................................189
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................198
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................190
Defrost
rear window ..............................52
Dipstick
engine oil .................................144
Doors
door ajar warning .....................10
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................122
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................135
Emission control system ..........169
Engine ........................................184
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........6
coolant .....................................147
idle speed control ...................154
lubrication
specifications ...................182,184
refill capacities ........................181
service points ..........................143
starting after a collision .........123
Engine block heater .................107
Engine oil ..................................144checking and adding .......144,145
dipstick ....................................144
filter, specifications .........145,181
recommendations ...................145
refill capacities .................144,181
specifications .....144,145,182,184
Exhaust fumes ..........................108
Fail safe cooling ........................150
Floor mats ...................................69
Fluid capacities .........................181
Fuel ............................................161
calculating fuel economy .......165
cap ...........................................163
capacity ...................................181
choosing the right fuel ...........163
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................168
detergent in fuel .....................165
filling your vehicle
with fuel ....................161,163,166
filter, specifications .........165,181
fuel filler door override ............66
fuel filler door release ..............65
fuel pump shut-off switch .....123
gauge .........................................13
improving fuel economy ........165
octane rating ....................164,184
quality ......................................164
running out of fuel .................165
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................161
Fuses ...................................124,125
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............163
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................165
Gauges .........................................12
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................14
fuel gauge ..................................13
odometer ...................................13
speedometer .............................13
Index
201