2009 Lincoln Town Car Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 182

Driving WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the OFF/LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle. The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected. Your vehicle has an automatic parking brake release. To release the parking brake: 1. Start the vehicle. 2. Press the brake pedal. 3. Move the gearshift from the P (Park) position to one of the forward gears (the parking brake will not release automatically when you shift into reverse). The brake pedal must remain pressed while the gearshift is moved. If the parking brake fails to release after completing this procedure, use the manual parking brake release lever. Pull the lever to manually release the parking brake. TRACTION CONTROL™ For Traction Control™ warning lights refer to Warning lights and chimes in the Instrument cluster chapter. Your vehicle is equipped with a Traction Control™ system (except on commercial conversion packages). This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle, especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use of available traction in these conditions. 182 2009 Town Car (tow) Owners Guide, 1st Printing USA (fus)