2003 LINCOLN LS check engine light

•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
Maintenance and Specifications
261

It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are 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.
Illumination of the“Check Engine”light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
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
Maintenance and Specifications
262

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 yourWarranty Guidefor 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 diagnostics system. If your“Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon”light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
Maintenance and Specifications
263

A
Accessory delay ..........................91
AdvanceTrac ..............................187
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................157–158, 162, 165
and child safety seats ............159
description ..............158, 162, 165
disposal ....................................168
driver air bag ..........160, 163, 167
indicator light .........161, 164, 168
operation .................160, 163, 167
passenger air bag ...160, 163, 167
side air bag ......................162, 165
Air cleaner filter ...............265, 271
Air conditioning ....................69, 71
Antifreeze (see
Engine coolant) ........................248
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................184–185
Anti-theft system ......................133
arming the system ..................134
disarming a triggered
system .....................................134
Audio system (see Radio) ...16, 20
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................191
fluid, adding ............................264
fluid, checking ........................264
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
fluid, specification ..................275
Axle
lubricant
specifications ..................274–275
refill capacities ........................272
B
Battery .......................................246acid, treating emergencies .....246
jumping a disabled battery ....216
maintenance-free ....................246
replacement, specifications ...271
servicing ..................................246
BeltMinder .................................152
Brakes ........................................184
anti-lock ...........................184–185
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............184
fluid, checking and adding ....264
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
fluid, specifications .........274–275
lubricant specifications ..274–275
parking ....................................185
shift interlock ..........................190
Bulbs ............................................81
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....272
Cargo net ...................................119
Cassette tape player ...................16
CD-single premium .....................20
Cell phone use ..........................106
Certification Label ....................277
Changing a tire .........................211
Child safety restraints ..............169
child safety belts ....................169
Child safety seats ......................172
attaching with tether straps ..176
in front seat ............................173
in rear seat ..............................173
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............234
instrument panel ....................236
interior .............................236–237
interior trim ............................237
Index
281