Lincoln Mark VIII (1998 year). Instruction — part 5

• Rotate the control to select the

desired heat (from OFF to HI).
Allow five minutes for the heat
level to stabilize.

If the heated seat switch is not turned OFF, the seat will heat up to the
selected temperature level each time the vehicle is started.

Using the power lumbar support

The power lumbar control is located
on the outboard side of the seat.

Press one side of the control to
adjust firmness.

Press the other side of the control
to adjust softness.

PUSH

LO

OFF

HI

HEATED SEAT

BOTH
BACK

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68

Emergency seatback release lever

Lift the lever to release the
seatback.

It is not necessary to use the release lever for rear seat entry or exit.
The seatback remains unlocked with normal usage and locks only during
emergency stopping, upon impact, or on steep downhill grades.

Easy access/easy out feature (driver’s side only)

This feature automatically moves the driver’s seat backward when:
• the transmission is in N (Neutral) or P (Park)
• the driver’s safety belt is buckled
• the ignition switch is turned to OFF.
The seat will move two inches forward (to the original position when:
• the transmission is in N (Neutral) or P (Park)
• the driver’s safety belt is buckled
• the ignition switch is turned to ON.

Auto-Glide seats

This feature automatically moves the seat forward or rearward when the
seatback is tilted forward or rearward to allow ease of entry into the rear
seat.

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69

With the ignition OFF:
• the driver seat Auto-Glide will function when the gearshift is in N

(Neutral) or P (Park) and at least one of the vehicle doors is opened.

• the passenger seat Auto-Glide will only function when at least one of

the vehicle doors is opened.

If the ignition is ON:
• the driver seat Auto-Glide will function with the gearshift in N

(Neutral) or P (Park).

• the passenger seat Auto-Glide will function with the gearshift in N

Neutral) or P (Park).

Shifting the transmission:
• from N (Neutral) or P (Park) while the driver’s seat is moving will

stop the seat where it is.

• back to N (Neutral) or P (Park) will continue seat movement.
The power seat controls must be used to move the seat if the gearshift is
not in N (Neutral) or P (Park).

Rear seat entry

To enter the rear seat:

1. Rotate the safety belt boot
rearward.

2. Enter the rear seat in front of the
safety belt.

3. Rotate the safety belt boot
forward to allow use by the front
seat passengers.

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70

SAFETY RESTRAINTS

Safety restraints precautions

Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.

To prevent the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they
can be properly restrained.

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from

injury in a collision.

All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always
wear their safety belts.

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas

are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.

Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt
assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that

are designed to be used as a pair. 1) Use the shoulder belt on the
outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. 2)
Never swing it around your neck over the inside shoulder. 3) Never use
a single belt for more than one person.

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71

Combination lap and shoulder belts

1. To fasten, insert the tongue into
the slot in the buckle.

2. To unfasten, push the red release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.

The front and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front and rear seat passenger
outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes described below:

Vehicle sensitive mode

The vehicle sensitive mode is the normal retractor mode, allowing free
shoulder belt length adjustment to your movements and locking in
response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes
suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of
8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help
reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers.

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72

Automatic locking mode

In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt.

The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.

When to use the automatic locking mode

• When a tight lap/shoulder fit is desired.
• Anytime a child safety seat is installed in the vehicle. Refer to Safety

Restraints for Children or Safety Seats for Children later in this
chapter.

How to use the automatic locking mode

• Buckle the combination lap and

shoulder belt.

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73

• Grasp the shoulder portion and

pull downward until the entire
belt is extracted.

• Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking

sound. This indicates the safety belt is now in the automatic locking
mode.

How to disengage the automatic locking mode

Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the
vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.

Lap belts

Adjusting the lap belt

The lap belt does not adjust automatically. Adjust to fit snugly and as low
as possible around your hips. Do not wear the lap belt around your waist.

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74

Insert the tongue into the correct
buckle. To lengthen the belt, turn
the tongue at a right angle to the
belt and pull across your lap until it
reaches the buckle. To tighten the
belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it fits
snugly across the hips.

Shorten and fasten the belt when
not in use.

Safety belt extension assembly

If the safety belt assembly is too short, even when fully extended, 20 cm
(8 inches) can be added to the safety belt assembly by adding a safety
belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extension
assemblies can be obtained from your dealer at no cost.

Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too
short for you when fully extended. Do not use extensions to change the
fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.

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75

Safety belt warning light and indicator chime

The seat belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.

Conditions of operation

If...

Then...

The driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position...

The safety belt warning light
illuminates for one to two minutes
and the warning chime sounds for
four to eight seconds.

The driver’s safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding...

The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.

The driver’s safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...

The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.

Safety belt maintenance

Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Check the safety belts to make sure there
are no nicks, wears or cuts. All safety belt assemblies, including
retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle assemblies (slide bar)(if
equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat
tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should
be inspected after a collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However,
if the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts
do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need
to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should
also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is
noted.

Failure to replace the safety belt assembly under the above
conditions could result in severe personal injuries in the event of

a collision.

Refer to Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts in the
Maintenance and care section.

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76

AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

Important supplemental restraint system (SRS) precautions

The supplemental restraint system
is designed to:
• work with the safety belt to

protect the driver and right front
passenger.

• reduce certain upper body

injuries.

Failure to follow these instructions will affect the performance of
the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury.

VEHICLE
SETTING

DRIVER
SETTING

TRIP
ODO

RANGE

RESET

N

S

W

E

FUEL

ECONOMY

DATE
TIME

SYSTEM
CHECK

P

5

0

1

2

3

4

6

7

RPMx1000

H

C

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

40

80

120

200

160

MPH

km/h

FUEL

FILL DOOR

F

E

BRAKE

888888.8

0

R

N
D
2

1

ABS

PREMIUM FUEL
RECOMMENDED

OFF

AUTO LAMP

DELAY

P

PANEL

DIM

INT
TIME

HI

LO

INT

OFF

MIST

ON

OFF

RES

SET

ACCEL

COAST

VOL-PUSH ON

AM
FM

BASS TREB

BAL

FADE AUTO

SET

SEEK

TUNE

DISCS

SCAN

EJ

TAPE CD

DOLBY 8 NR

REW

1

FF
2

SIDE 1-2

3

4

COMP

5

SHUFFLE

6

ST

FM 1

OUTSIDE TEMP

OFF

AUTOMATIC

MAX A/C

VENT

PNL•FLR

FLOOR

FLR•DEF

DEF

HI

LO

OFF

LO

HI

BOTH
BACK

HEATED SEAT

OFF

LO

HI

BOTH
BACK

HEATED SEAT

PUSH

PUSH

R.DEF.

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77

The right front passenger air bag is not designed to restrain
occupants in the center front seating position.

All occupants of the vehicle including the driver should always
wear their safety belts even when air bag SRS is provided.

Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag
cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas that may come

into contact with a deploying air bag. Failure to follow this instruction
may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or

Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Children and air bags

For additional important safety
information, read all information on
safety restraints in this guide.

Children should always wear their
safety belts. Failure to follow these
instructions may increase the risk of
injury in a collision.

Air bag can kill or injure a
child in a child seat. If you

must use a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat, move seat
all the way back.

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78

How does the air bag supplemental restraint system work?

The SRS is designed to activate
when the vehicle sustains sufficient
longitudinal deceleration.

The fact that the air bags did not
inflate in a collision does not mean
that something is wrong with the
system. Rather, it means the forces
were not of the type sufficient to
cause activation.

The air bags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation.

After air bag deployment, it is
normal to notice a smoke-like,
powdery residue or smell the burnt
propellant. This may consist of
cornstarch, talcum powder (to
lubricate the bag) or sodium
compounds (e.g., baking soda) that
result from the combustion process
that inflates the air bag. Small
amounts of sodium hydroxide may
be present which may irritate the
skin and eyes, but none of the
residue is toxic.

Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.

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79

If the air bag is inflated, the air bag will not function again
and must be replaced immediately. If the air bag is not

replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.

The SRS consists of:
• driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and

air bags),

• one or more impact and safing sensors,
• a readiness light and tone
• and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.

Determining if the system is operational

The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Air bag readiness
section in the Instrumentation chapter. Routine maintenance of the air
bag is not required.

A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
• The readiness light will either

flash or stay lit.

• The readiness light will not

illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.

• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat

periodically until the problem and light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.

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80

Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles

For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN

Important child restraint precautions

You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S.
and Canada. If small children ride in your vehicle (generally children who
are four years old or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs] or less), you
must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Check your
local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the
safety of children in your vehicle.

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from

injury in a collision.

Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or
child restraint you might use.

When possible, place children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident
statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seating position.

Children and safety belts

Children who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by your
child safety seat manufacturer) should always wear safety belts.

Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag precautions that
apply to adult passengers in your vehicle.

If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can
be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or
neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child
closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt
fit.

If the shoulder belt cannot be properly positioned:
• move the child to one of the seats with a lap belt only (if equipped) or
• if the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a safety seat.

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81

Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets unattended in
your vehicle.

To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who have
outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning
booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle
safety standards. Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and
provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating
posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on the child.

A belt-positioning booster should be used if the shoulder belt rests in
front of the child’s face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on
both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the way
back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over the edge of the
seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the special needs of your child
with your pediatrician.

SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN

Child and infant or child safety seats

Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the
child. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions with the
safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the
safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or
collision.

When installing a child safety seat:
• Use the correct safety belt buckle

for that seating position.

• Make sure the tongue is securely

fastened in the buckle.

• Keep the buckle release button

pointing up and away from the
safety seat, with the tongue
between the child seat and the
release button, to prevent
accidental unbuckling.

• Place seat back in upright position.
• Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. Refer to Automatic

locking mode.

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82

Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether
strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position which is capable
of providing a tether anchorage. For more information on top tether
straps, refer to Attaching safety seats with tether straps.

Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions included
with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install

and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden
stop or collision.

Installing child safety seats in combination lap and shoulder belt
seating positions

1. Position the child safety seat in a
seat with a combination lap and
shoulder belt.

Air bag can kill or injure a child in a child seat. If you must use a
forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move seat all the way

back.

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83