Lincoln Town Car

beernut · October 2003

Fortunately, I don't have those nasty bags on my '88 although when my dad first bought the car I was disappointed that it didn't have the extra gadgets to play with. I work with a guy that drives an '86 Continental with bags and he asked a compelling question. Does anyone make a bag-eliminator kit? Something that gets rid of the bags completely and replaces them with good-old springs? Seems like it makes sense that somebody would have come up with that already.

nvbanker · October 2003

Somebody did for the Cadillacs of the 80's, but I don't know if they have an equivalent for the Lincolns.......

gdblake · October 2003

Thank you, Limo, for the help--I'll do it.

gdblake · October 2003

Beemut, I replaced the bags with springs on my prev. '92 Town car, with great results. The discussion is on the read only section/town car--"air suspension" topic

hawk26 · October 2003

Does anyone know what this limo would sell for? Good condition, 60,000 miles, white, seats 8 to 10.

pat · October 2003

You might also want to ask the folks hanging out in Real-World Trade-In Values. Read a back a page or two before posting so that you can see what information they need in order to give you their considered opinions.

beernut · October 2003

GD, I went to the "air suspension" topic. Lots of good info. Thanks.

gkarg · October 2003

I've had the distinct pleasure of hearing the RR bag pop on my mom's 94 Continental. We had 5 full-size adults on board and went over a very mild bump and POP! I thought a gun had gone off. Thank goodness we were only about 12 miles into the trip - I had everyone stand by the road, while I limped back (that is a ROUGH ride) and got my 92 Conti.

Yes, 2 conti's in those years does spell double trouble... that is definitely not recommended for the faint of heart.

I've bought my replacement bags from Arnott Industries and had pretty good luck.

nvbanker · October 2003

yes, it is a rough ride, but it does look like you've installed hydraulics on a low rider that way......

dan182 · October 2003

One of the things the town car and ford cars lack in the US is daytime running lights. It saves lives. General Motors get a lot of ford customers who will not buy a lincoln because they lack running lights. BMW at least gives the US buyer the option to activate the system. Consumer reports names cars where this option is not availiable. While the towncar is good, I know of 2 friends who bought Buick and Caddy because they
had daytime running lights. Ford better wake up.

nvbanker · October 2003

I'm not convinced they save even one life, Dan, but as usual with Consumer Reports, their ignorance is showing. They can be programmed on or off by the dealer.

Notice only GM and Volvo have them standard in the US? Not Mercedes, BMW, Lexus? Wonder why? Well, Volvo thinks like you do, they may be safer, but GM makes them standard to save the cost of an engineering change to make it possible to have them on or off. Just cost savings, no other good reason.

Go have the dealer put them on for you, and enjoy your Town Car.

beernut · October 2003

Switch to GM just for running lights? NOT! For better cup holders, maybe!

nvbanker · October 2003

EXACTLY! Gotta have a reason!

abfisch · October 2003

Recent posts disclaim these devices:

Literature from Europe, Canada, as well as motorcyle manufacturer's would reason different. Lexus as well as Toyota have a switch on the lightling stalk, to give the user the option of using DRL's or not in North America. The post above is incorrect. Sit in any 2003 Toyota or newer and see for yourself.

Additionally, their are firms, specifically one in Canada, that sell DRL modules to install, if you car is not wired up. I just cannot recall the name at the moment. We installed one on a 2004 Honda Civic EX recently, and it worked out excellently, once we found the lead we were looking for.

If the human eye is attracted to light, then this is another compelling reason to at least give the consumer the option.

A.Fisch

beernut · October 2003

Now we can all have running lights on our TC's!! I personally think they suck, but "if they save one life.." blah, blah, blah. Money better spent - as an industry (my opinion only) - would be for improved driver training, specifically including a chapter on etiquette. Paragraphs on the difference between a parking space and a yellow painted curb, cellphone use and how to successfully negotiate the apparently complex task of merging would be nice (notice the common tread here - courtesy). More lives are lost due to the mis-behaviour of self-important a-holes behind the wheel than people too dense to see a five-thousand pound Lincoln coming at them in broad daylight.

nvbanker · October 2003

Better they bring back nice big thick seats, a truly elegant dash layout, put quality stereo units in and an air conditioner with some guts. DRLs are way, way down on my list of priorities for the T/C. Or any other car.

beernut · October 2003

Death to all DRL's! LET'S TRASH THIS PLACE!!

nvbanker · October 2003

You hankering for a Town Car? Had enough minivans for one lifetime?

beernut · October 2003

But even the wife is tired of the MV already. We both like the TC well enough that I'm considering a second one as a replacement for the MV. She prefers more sporty and more performance, so we're kicking around the Linc LS. Why do you ask? How do you like the LS?

nvbanker · October 2003

OH, just looked at your profile, saw the Windstar.
I rent an LS every chance I get. They are an awesome car. I would own one, if they were bigger, but I need room and towing ability in my life right now. The LS is all fun, and really puts a grin on my face.

wotan1 · November 2003

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#1 of 2 Just purchased 2003 Lincoln Cartier Towncar by wotan1 Nov 01, 2003 (12:57 am)
Purchased left over new 2003 Lincoln Cartier Towncar. Did considerable research before purchase. Would like to know what owners of this same vehicle like or dislike about their car even though I'm comitted now no matter what. So far I'm very pleased!

nvbanker · November 2003

It's a great car. If you like the style of the interior and size of the car, you're all set! I rent them frequently, and think they're just great. My only complaint, is not enough power in the A/C blower for my climates.

beernut · November 2003

And, of course, that pesky lack of daytime running lamps. Soulda' bought a Chevy. Ha!

nvbanker · November 2003

just think of all the lives you and I could save if we just turned our lights on in the daytime!!!
I wonder if there is an aftermarket "lives saved" counter you can add on to your car to instantly count the lack of corpses as you drive along the highway? (I'm being very irreverent here, aren't I?)

beernut · November 2003

But its the best laugh I've had all week, and I even saw my sister-in-law naked on Monday!

I'll bet you can get one of those lives-saved-counter-thingy's at your local Honda Civic mod shop, right next to the neon-blue-chrome-ugly-loud-3#coffeecan-bolt on-junky-ugly-mufflers.

nvbanker · November 2003

Glad I could help. I still turn my lights on at night though....advise you do the same. nv.

garyandrews · November 2003

I own a 2003 Town Car, and live in Cleveland. It's been a long time since I've owned a RWD car, and we get a fair amount of snow here. Should I get snow tires for the winter? I assumed that I should, but the service department at my dealership said the all-seasons that came on the car should be fine, and that the snow tires wouldn't make enough difference to be worth the expense.

If I should get snow tires, any recommendation on a good brand/model for th TC?

beernut · November 2003

I grew up in Chicago where snow tires were as common as breathing. Tire chains and tow chains were standard issue for our family's cars as well. Its 25 years later and I live in Virginia which has less and shorter lived snow than Chicago or Cleveland, but still enough to get me in trouble. I've driven rear, front, small, large, cars and trucks in the junk and haven't had the need for snows except when I'm doing something stupid.

Front drive is only "good in snow" because the drive wheels have most of the weight and because they're up front so you can't "fish-tail" thereby making it more idiot-proof to drive. You can still get yourself in plenty of trouble, however, and your technique can make a good day bad. I prefer to drive RWD in snow. I prefer to have my wife in FWD in snow.

Think ahead and slow down. The new generation all-weather tires should do you well. If you find they suck, buy some snow tires. Just be ready for reduced ride and handling and more noise. What do your RWD neighbors do?

cominghome · November 2003

We have a 94 Town Car, and we are having a VERY hard time getting the car out of park into drive (or reverse). It seems to be connected to the the breaks in that we have to pump the breaks big time in order to get the car out of park -- almost to the point of seeming as though the gearshift (handle) is going to break.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what is the problem, and is it expensive to repair?

Thanks

hotrodlincoln1 · November 2003

mechanism is probably misadjusted or worn. I've never seen one fail before, so I'm not sure how hard it is to fix. Consulting the shop manual would be a good idea, even you are paying someone else to fix it, as this will hopefully give you an idea of how time consuming of a job it is, and concordantly what the charge should be.

corsicachevy · November 2003

Is the difficulty moving your gear shift lever more prevalent when the vehicle is parked on a hill as opposed to a flat surface?

jmeasell · November 2003

Having difficulty with my 91 TC (77K miles). The car accelerates smoothly up to about 25 mph. Then it hesitates and is sluggish up to about 40 mph. After that, it's fine, especially on the highway at 60-70 mph. Don't think it's the tranny yet. I've tried higher octane gas -- no luck. any suggestions?

limo · November 2003

Your stop light switch is going bad. When it fails, the circuit to unlatch the shift lever lock is not completed. You MUST replace the stop light switch immediately. It's not expensive. However, if you have more trouble before changing it, do this: (1) put your foot on the brake and KEEP IT THERE! (2) remove the key from the ignition (3) re-insert the key into the ignition (4) turn the key to the FIRST stop only (5) take shift lever and move it to neutral (6) start engine (7) put shift lever in drive (8) remove foot from brake and motor away. Just don't put the shift lever into park again until you really want to, or you will have to repeat the steps above in the exact sequence.

ehardison1 · November 2003

Hope all of you Lincoln owners have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

nvbanker · November 2003

limo: Great assistance, limo, I'm very impressed!

e: Thanks, and same to you!

nvbanker · November 2003

And IMO, the Town Car could really use the attention, so this is good news.

http://www.lincolnvehicles.com/other/interior.asp?sSection=about&- amp;sSubSection=701

limo · November 2003

Thanks

thanks, nvbanker, but this procedure is described in the owners manual for the 95 and later models. It just goes to show that when a driver (me) is on a long wait & return ride, he'll read the owners manual out of desperation, and to his utter amazement, learn something useful about the bells and whistles. For example, does anyone know that if you lightly tap the windshield washer button on the end of the turn signal stalk, the wipers will sweep three times and shut off? Useful in light rain or after getting splashed by another vehicle, but even my most experienced driver (not me) was embarrassed that he never saw this in the manual.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

nvbanker · November 2003

Shame on me. I don't read them anymore, and I obviously should. No, I didn't know that.

sparky53 · November 2003

can someone please tell me if the easy pass in use in the north east area will work on the windshield of 2003 Lincoln cars.I have been told that due to the composition of the windshield you may have to use an exterior unit.Thank you.

nvbanker · November 2003

Has glass advanced that far technologically?

hotrodlincoln1 · December 2003

I know that some vehicles come with a thin layer of electrically conductive material on or in the windshield. Electricity is passed through this layer to produce "rapid de-icing". It is conceivable that the conductive material may act as a kind of electromagnetic shielding, interfering with the operation of cruise-card type devices.

ehardison1 · December 2003

Had the first oil change for my 2003 town car today. Took it to the Lincoln dealer as they give free maintenance for 36,000 miles. They put the recommended motorcraft 5w20 synthetic blend oil in and that stuff is clear as water. You can't hardly see it on the dip stick. Seems like some good stuff. Any comments from any one that is useing this oil.

nvbanker · December 2003

My perception is that it's quality stuff, and I have to trust the "father" of my baby, that the weight is proper for the car. Even though it rubs my old traditions wrong to use oil that runny, I use it. I do note a bit more consumption than I used to though on that oil.

beernut · December 2003

I'm not too familiar with the newer TC's. How long has 5w20 been going on and what is the purpose? Have there been cold start lube issues or distribution problems in the past? Is it the same oil recommended for all climates? Also, what is the recommended change frequency?

One more... how clean is it when it comes out? Still good enough to fry a couple of turkeys in?

ehardison1 · December 2003

Not sure how long 5w20 oil has been around. There is a good write up of it under the Motorcraft OIL website.
I am not aware of any problems that caused the shift to 5w20 oil. It is recommended for all year use and the recommended change interval is 5,000 miles. As it is a synthetic blend it should be fine for this change interval.
I expect it will darken with use but should be OK to fry a light colored turkey.

nvbanker · December 2003

I believe it has been developed to lessen the friction internally, rendering maximum operating gas mileage while still protecting for long term use. Unless the engine is pretty old, it comes out fairly light still. At least, you could do your fries in it.....no problem.

rickiericcardo · December 2003

Hi everybody!

I am planning to get to know Lincoln Town Car 2003 during my visit in States, impressed by its long history and good reviews in some of the magazines available in Europe.

I am wondering now, if any of you know about the exact dimensions of its trunk. It has been told to be huge (21 cu.ft), but the exact dimensions of it are difficult to find on the Web.

I drive a lot and travel with large suitcases - it would help to know, how deep, high and wide is the deeper area of the trunk that is closest to the opening of the trunk? If anyone of you know where to get this information before Christmas, or if you have it yourself, it'd be a great help!

ehardison1 · December 2003

My 2003 Executive measures:14 inches deep,32.5 inches wide and 26 inches long.Hope this helps.These measurements are for the deep part of the trunk.

rickiericcardo · December 2003

Thank you heaps, ehardison1! You helped a lot.

Estimating from a photo I found from the Web, I suppose if I'd place
(1) one box that would be of an exact size 14"x32.5"x 26" to the deep part of the trunk,
(2) another box of the same size on top of it,
(3) a 3rd box of the same size on the upper compartment closer to the rear seats,
all boxes would fit in, but the trunk would be rather full?

The volume of the three boxes would be quickly counting 3 x 5.23 cubic ft = 15,7 cu.ft. Lincoln advertises a trunk size of 21 cu.ft, but I suppose the remaining 6 cu.ft would left on the sides of the deeper area, or the upper compartment is perhaps higher than the deep part of the trunk?

ehardison1 · December 2003

Sounds OK. The extra space in your calculations would be on both sides of the deep part of the trunk,one side,the right has the spare tire but the left has a space approximately 14 inches wide and goes to the back of the seat. The problem with these spaces is you have to leave room for the trunk brackets when the trunk is closed,but you can put quite a bit there if you pack it carefully.

Lincoln Town Car

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