LincolnTown Car1998Overview/lincoln/town-car/1998/base/

1998 Lincoln Town Car

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Town Car.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Lincoln Town Car pairs a 5.0-quart oil capacity and 5W-20 API viscosity specification with EPA ratings of 15 city/22 highway/18 combined mpg, all delivered through an automatic four-speed transmission. Within the 1990-2011 model run, this year logged 161 owner complaints and seven recalls, with Engine & Engine Cooling emerging as the most frequently reported problem area. That complaint total sits well below the 1997 peak of 328, placing the 1998 Town Car on the lower-complaint side of the model's long production history.

Model year201120102009200820072006200520041998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-105 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 ex. Limo · 650 ex. Limo CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 ex. Limo · 650 ex. Limo CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length215.4 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase117.7 in
Curb weight4006 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume112 cu ft
Cargo volume21 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Town Car of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 1998 Signature Series Touring Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998Signature Series Touring Sedan 4.6L V87.90 sec16.10 sec205 hpRWD
2000Cartier L Sedan 4.6L V89.30 sec16.90 sec200 hpRWD
2003Cartier Sedan 4.6L V89.50 sec16.80 sec239 hpRWD
2005BPS (Ballistic Protection Series) Sedan 4.6L V812.00 sec18.60 sec239 hpRWD
2011Signature Limited Fleet Sedan 4.6L V88.10 sec16.10 sec239 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts114-121 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts14.0-16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)25 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65 ex. Limo
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 ex. Limo cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 Optional and Limo

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30.0-45.0
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket147 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85-105 ft-lbs / 50 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00035 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.063 in / 0.56 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.063 in / 0.56 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.01 in / 0.52 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miSteering Linkage (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Lincoln Town Car recorded 161 complaints, which is markedly lower than the 1995‑1997 range of 204‑328 complaints and also below the 1994 figure of 191 complaints, indicating a decline after the mid‑1990s peak. Across the 1990‑2011 span, complaint counts rose through the early 1990s, dipped in 1993‑1994, climbed again to a high of 328 in 1997, then fell sharply in 1998 and remained comparatively low through 2000 before fluctuating at lower levels. Thus, 1998 sits on the descending side of the complaint arc, following the 1997 peak and preceding the modest 2001 rebound. In that year the vehicle also had 7 recalls, 4 investigations, and 182 technical service bulletins — recall and investigation counts are similar to adjacent years, while the TSB count is the highest in the series. Given its relatively low complaint volume relative to the surrounding years, the 1998 model year represents a favorable choice for a used purchase.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
182
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
161
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 7 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 161 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling28
Service Brakes, Hydraulic17
Suspension14
Visibility12
Exterior Lighting11
Structure10
Electrical System10
Steering8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15E082000SteeringReported 06/10/2015

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured… Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at…

00V200000Equipment:Mechanical:Integrated Jack/Leveler/StabilizerReported 18/07/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE… Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 182 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CSP 08B042008-05-15Fuel System, GasolineFORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 1992-2001 MODEL YEAR CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND…
072122007-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
05312007-05-08StructureCUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 05B31 - INFORMATION ONLY. A POSSIBILITY THAT DURING A HIGH…
05N042005-12-14Engine And Engine CoolingEXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 05N04 - EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS…
0416012005-11-14Engine And Engine CoolingWDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Town Car. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Town Car take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Town Car have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Town Car get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.