2000 LINCOLN LS towing

Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
Motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your
local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
The luggage rack is dealer installed only. See your local Lincoln Mercury
dealership.
The maximum load is 75 kg (165 lb) on the luggage rack structure. The
vehicle's roof panel is not designed to carry a load.
When loading the luggage rack, it is recommended to evenly distribute
the load, as well as maintain a low center of gravity. Ensure that the load
is securely fastened.
Driving
172

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford offers a
complimentary roadside assistance program. This program is separate
from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the Basic warranty period (Canada) or New Vehicle Limited
Warranty period (U.S.) of three years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles),
whichever comes first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and four years or
80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire
²jump-starts
²lock-out assistance
²fuel delivery
²towing to the nearest Ford of Canada or Ford Motor Company
dealership, or towing to your selling dealership if within 56 km (35
miles). Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck
in the mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as
impound towing or repossession).
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, it is found in
the Roadside Assistance book in the glove compartment.
To receive roadside assistance in the United States for Ford or Mercury
vehicles, call 1-800-241-3673 or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call
1±800±521±4140. In Canada call 1±800±665±2006.
Should you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford will
reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain information about
reimbursement, call 1-800-241-3673 in the United States for Ford or
Mercury vehicles; or if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call 1±800±521±4140.
Call 1±800±665±2006 in Canada.
Roadside emergencies
173

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company provides a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
194

²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
Maintenance and care
234

Ford Extended Service Plan
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
²benefits during the warranty period depending on the plany you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items)
²protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper Warranty
expires
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln/
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your
dealer for details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln/Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options.
Getting the service you need
At home
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada have authorized dealerships to
service your vehicle. When you need warranty repairs your selling dealer
would like you to return to it for that service, but you may also take your
vehicle to another Ford Motor Company dealership authorized for
warranty repairs. Certain warranty repairs require special training
though, so not all dealers are authorized to perform all warranty repairs.
That means that depending on the warranty repair needed, the vehicle
may need to be taken to another dealer. If a particular dealership can not
assist you, then contact the Customer Assistance Center.
Customer assistance
254

headlamps, flash to pass ..........28
instrument panel, dimming .....29
interior lamps .............83,238,239
replacing bulbs .........236,237,238
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................72
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
AdvanceTrac .............................12
air bag ........................................11
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....10,150
brake ..........................................10
bulb warning .............................12
charging system ........................11
check engine ...............................8
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................13
high beam ............................10,12
low coolant ..................................8
low fuel ......................................11
low washer fluid .......................12
oil pressure ...............................11
safety belt .................................11
speed control ............................82
steering column lock ................13
transmission PRNDL
indicator ....................................13
turn signal indicator .................10
Load limits .................................167
GAWR ......................................167
GVWR ......................................167
trailer towing ..........................167
Locks
autolock ...................................105
childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................99
Lubricant specifications ....249,251
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................187
Lumbar support, seats .............115
Manual transmission .................163
fluid capacities ........................247
lubricant specifications ..........251
reverse .....................................166Message center ......................16,18
select button .............................17
warning messages .....................21
Mirrors .........................................84
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................83
cleaning ...................................243
heated ........................................30
programmable memory ..........106
side view mirrors (power) .......29
Moon roof ....................................82
Motorcraft parts .................231,247
Octane rating ............................230
Odometer .....................................16
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................198
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ................103
Parking brake ............................150
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....247
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ........................179,182
Power door locks .................99,105
Power steering ...................151,152
fluid, checking and adding ....211
fluid, refill capacity ................247
fluid, specifications ..........249,251
Radio ............................................42
Relays ........................................175
Remote entry system ........101,103
illuminated entry ....................103
locking/unlocking doors ..101,102
opening the trunk ...................103
panic alarm .............................103
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................105
replacing the batteries ...........104
Roof rack ...................................172
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......................14,117,119
120,121,122,123
Safety defects, reporting ..........265
Index
269

Safety restraints .................117,119
120,121,122,123
belt minder .............................124
cleaning the
safety belts .......................127,245
extension assembly ................127
for adults ............119,120,121,122
for children .............................136
warning light
and chime ......................11,13,124
Safety seats for children ..........137
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............117
Seats ..........................................112
child safety seats ....................137
cleaning ............................245,246
easy access/easyout feature ..115
memory seat ....................106,116
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system .........107,108,109
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................160
Servicing your vehicle ..............195
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................247,251
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................249,251
Speed control ..............................77
Speedometer ...............................15
Starting your vehicle .........144,146
jump starting ..........................188
Steering
speed sensitive .......................152
Steering wheel
controls ......................................74
tilting ...............................13,71,73
Tachometer .................................15
Tilt steering wheel ......................73
Tires .............................184,222,223
changing ...........................184,185
checking the pressure ............223replacing ..................................225
rotating ....................................224
snow tires and chains ............226
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ................................222
Towing ................................168,223
recreational towing .................172
trailer towing ..........................168
wrecker ....................................194
Traction control ........................152
active light ................................12
Transmission ...............................13
automatic operation ...............155
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................211
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................212
fluid, refill capacities ..............247
lubricant specifications ...249,251
manual operation ...............13,163
Trip odometer .............................16
Trunk .........................................110
remote release ...................30,103
Turn signal ........................10,14,72
Vehicle dimensions ...................251
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................253
Vehicle loading ..........................167
Ventilating your vehicle ...........147
Warning chimes ......................13,14
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Water, Driving through .............166
Windows
power .........................................98
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and cleaning ............220
operation ...................................72
replacing wiper blades ...........221
Wrecker towing .........................194
Index
270