2003 LINCOLN LS check oil

•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, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding 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
248

•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

plastic parts ............................235
washing ....................................233
waxing .....................................233
wheels ......................................234
wiper blades ............................236
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......69, 71
Compass, electronic ....................92
calibration .................................93
set zone adjustment .................93
Console ......................................118
overhead ....................................89
Controls
power seat ...............................136
steering column ........................98
Coolant
checking and adding ..............248
refill capacities ................252, 272
specifications ..................274–275
Cruise control (see
Speed control) ............................95
Customer Assistance ................200
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................238
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................225
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............230
Getting roadside assistance ...200
Getting the service
you need .................................223
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................231
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................226
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............229D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................78
Defrost
rear window ..............................76
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................264
engine oil .................................243
Doors
central unlocking ....................121
lubricant specifications ..........274
Driving under special
conditions ..................................195
through water .........................197
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................216
Emission control system ..........262
Engine ................................275–276
cleaning ...................................234
coolant .....................................248
fail-safe coolant ......................253
idle speed control ...................246
lubrication
specifications ..................274–275
refill capacities ........................272
service points ..................241–242
Engine block heater .................183
Engine oil ..................................243
checking and adding ..............243
dipstick ....................................243
filter, specifications ........245, 271
recommendations ...................245
refill capacities ........................272
specifications ..................274–275
Exhaust fumes ..........................184
Index
282