2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR checking oil

AWD DISABLED LOCKED (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
only).Displayed when the AWD system begins to overheat placing itself
in the autolock mode. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer as soon as safely possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toChecking
and adding brake fluidin theMaintenance and specifications
chapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE.Displayed when the engine oil pressure is low. If
this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads, city
driving, when driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended
period of time or due to a loss of transmission fluid. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, place the shift lever into P (Park) or N (Neutral)
and raise the engine RPM. If this does not cool the transmission turn off
the engine and let it cool. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, contact your dealer for transmission service as soon as possible.
Continued operation in this condition may cause internal transmission
damage.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as possible
to prevent additional transmission damage. Refer to the instrument
cluster warning lamps in theInstrument clusterchapter.
LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and specifications
chapter.
CHECK ADVTRAC (if equipped).Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system is not operating properly. If this message is displayed on the
Driver Controls
95

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specification WSB-M8B16–A2.
Refer toLubricant specifications
in this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 4.5° C (40°
F), use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure to use
washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in
impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate
Washer fluid for the liftgate is supplied by the same reservoir as the
windshield.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
Maintenance and Specifications
245

•If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise the
level within the MIN-MAX range.
•Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler capby turning the filler capclockwise
1/4 of a turn until three clicks are heard or until the capis fully seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Maintenance and Specifications
247

If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36° C (-34° F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “cold full” of “cold fill range” level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, refer to instructions in the
Adding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -36° C (-34° F).
•Boiling protection up to 129° C (265° F).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
251

Child safety restraints ..............151
child safety belts ....................151
Child safety seats ......................154
attaching with tether straps ..159
in front seat ............................156
in rear seat ..............................156
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............237
instrument panel ....................239
interior .............................239–240
interior trim ............................240
plastic parts ............................238
washing ....................................236
waxing .....................................236
wheels ......................................237
wiper blades ............................238
Clock ................................27, 38, 69
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................87
Console ........................................99
overhead ..............................67–68
rear ............................................99
Controls
power seat ...............................123
steering column ........................80
Coolant
checking and adding ..............251
coolant temperature light ........13
refill capacities ................253, 270
specifications ..................273, 275
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................76
Customer Assistance ................200
Ford accessories for
your vehicle ....................241, 278
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................228
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............232Getting roadside assistance ...200
Getting the service
you need .................................226
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................233
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................229
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............232
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................52
Defrost
rear window ..............................49
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................265
engine oil .................................245
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........273
Driving under special
conditions ..........................184, 187
sand .........................................186
snow and ice ...........................188
through water .................186, 190
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................41
E
Electronic message center .........86
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................219
Emission control system ..........263
Engine ........................................275
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
Index
282

cleaning ...................................237
coolant .....................................251
fail-safe coolant ......................254
idle speed control ...................249
lubrication
specifications ..................273, 275
refill capacities ........................270
service points ..........................244
starting after a collision .........201
Engine block heater .................167
Engine oil ..................................245
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................245
checking and adding ..............245
dipstick ....................................245
filter, specifications ........248, 270
recommendations ...................248
refill capacities ........................270
specifications ..................273, 275
Exhaust fumes ..........................167
F
Fail safe cooling ........................254
Floor mats ...................................99
Fluid capacities .........................270
Foglamps .....................................50
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................183
indicator light ...........................14
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................173
Fuel ............................................255
calculating fuel
economy ............................88, 260
cap...........................................257
capacity ...................................270
choosing the right fuel ...........258
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................262detergent in fuel .....................259
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................255, 257, 260
filter, specifications ........259, 270
fuel pump shut-off switch .....201
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........260
octane rating ...................258, 275
quality ......................................258
running out of fuel .................259
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................255
Fuses ..................................202–203
G
Garage door opener ....................82
Gas cap(see Fuel cap) ............257
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................260
Gauges .........................................15
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................16
speedometer .............................16
tachometer ................................17
tripodometer ............................17
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ..........................191
calculating ...............................193
definition .................................191
driving with a heavy load ......191
location ....................................191
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................191
calculating .......................191, 193
definition .................................191
driving with a heavy load ......191
location ....................................191
Index
283

GAWR ......................................191
GVWR ......................................191
trailer towing ..........................191
Loading instructions .................193
Locks
childproof
................................103
doors
........................................103
Lubricant specifications
...273, 275
Lumbar support, seats
.............122
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities
........................270
lubricant specifications
..........275
Message center
...........................86
english/metric button
...............90
system check button
................90
warning messages
.....................92
Mirrors
...................................67, 73
fold away
...................................75
heated
........................................74
programmable memory
..........105
side view mirrors
(power)
...............................73, 75
Moon roof
....................................68
Motorcraft parts
................259, 270
O
Octane rating
............................258
Odometer
.....................................16
Oil (see Engine oil)
..................245
Overdrive
.....................................98P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................105
Parking brake ............................169
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....270
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................76
Power adjustable foot pedals .....76
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................206
Power door locks ......................103
Power mirrors .............................73
Power point .................................69
Power steering ..........................173
fluid, checking and adding ....264
fluid, refill capacity ................270
fluid, specifications .........273, 275
Power Windows ...........................70
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................173
R
Radio ......................................18, 27
Radio reception ...........................39
Rear Park Assist .......................179
Rear window defroster ...............49
Relays ................................202, 210
Remote entry system .......103, 105
illuminated entry ....................109
locking/unlocking
doors ........................103–104, 108
opening the trunk ...................105
panic alarm .............................105
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................107
Index
285