User manual LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997

Table of Contents i ii iii iv Introduction Ford's Commitment to You At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication to learning what you want, determination to develop the right concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard by which others are judged. u Continuous improvement is essential to our success. We must strive for excellence in everything we do: in our products -- in their safety and value -- and in our services, our human relations, our competitiveness, and our profitability. We are a team. We must treat one another with trust and respect. u Employee involvement is our way of life. u Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We must maintain mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our other business associates. Our Guiding Principles u Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the quality of our products and services must be our number one priority. work must be done with you in mind, providing better products and services than our competition. u You are the focus of everything we do. Our u Integrity is never compromised. Our conduct worldwide must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible and commands respect for its integrity and for its positive contributions to society. 1 Things to Know About Using This Guide Congratulations on the purchase of your new vehicle. This guide has information about the equipment and the options for your new vehicle. You may not have bought all of the options available to you. If you do not know which information applies to your vehicle, talk to your dealer. This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for equipment that was in effect when this guide was approved for printing. Ford may discontinue models or change specifications or design without any notice and without incurring obligation. NOTES and WARNINGS NOTES give you additional information about the subject matter you are referencing. WARNINGS remind you to be especially careful in those areas where carelessness can cause damage to your vehicle or personal injury to yourself, your passengers or other people. Please read all WARNINGS carefully. WARNING 2 Finding Information in This Guide After you have read this guide once, you will probably return to it when you have a specific question or need additional information. To help you find specific information quickly, you can use the Quick Index or the Index. The Quick Index at the end of the book provides a page number following each item which indicates where detailed information can be found. To use the Index, turn to the back of the book and search in the alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think of other related words and look them up. We have designed the Index so that you can find information under a technical term. Canadian Owners -- French Version French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3. The Lincoln Commitment The Lincoln Commitment is more than the prestige of owning a superior luxury automobile, it is a comprehensive owner benefits package that is designed to provide you with services to support your every driving need. Refer to the Lincoln Commitment brochure for more information. Your Maintenance Schedule and Record Booklet The Maintenance Schedule booklet lists the services that are most important for keeping your vehicle in good condition. A record log is also provided to help you keep track of all services performed. 3 About the Warranties Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended Warranties on certain parts, and Emissions Warranties. Read your Warranty Information Booklet carefully to find out about your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and responsibilities. If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, you can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page of this Owner's Guide. More Protection for Your Vehicle You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only extended service program with the Ford name on it and the only service contract backed by Ford Motor Company. Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and administered by Ford. It provides: u protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper Warranty expires; and u other benefits during the warranty period (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance and wear items). You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford Motor Company dealer. There are several Ford ESP plans available in various time-and-mileage combinations. Each plan can be tailored to fit your own driving needs, including reimbursement benefits for towing and rental. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for details.) 4 When you buy Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind protection throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor Company dealers. NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United States and Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage. This information is subject to change. Ask your dealer for complete details about Ford ESP coverage. -- Begin braking well in advance. -- Apply the brakes gradually. The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving. u Use only the type of engine oil that Ford Breaking Your Vehicle In Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or break-in period during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in period, you need to pay careful attention to how you drive your vehicle. recommends. See Engine oil recommendations in the Index. Do not use special "break-in" oils. u Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle has new brake linings, you should take these steps: -- Watch traffic carefully so that you can anticipate when to stop. 5 Instrumentation The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is divided into several different sections. The illustrations on the following pages show the major parts of the instrument panel that are described in this chapter. Some items shown may not be on all vehicles. The main controls for the climate control system, clock, and radio are on the instrument panel. If you have radio transmitting equipment in your vehicle, be aware that it can interfere with your vehicle's electrical system and may cause the instrumentation and/or convenience products to have temporary, abnormal operation. NOTE: Any cleaner or polish that increases the gloss (shine) of the upper part of the instrument panel should be avoided. The dull finish in this area is to help protect the driver from undesirable windshield reflection. 7 Instrument panel 8 Instrument cluster 9 The following warning lights and gauges are on the instrument cluster. All of the warning lights and gauges alert you to possible problems with your vehicle. u If the safety belt is buckled before the ignition is turned to the ON position, neither the light nor the chime will come on. Indicator Lights and Chimes Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety belt. The following conditions will take place: u If the safety belt is not buckled when the ignition is turned to the ON position, the chime will turn on for four (4) to eight (8) seconds and the light will come on for one to two minutes. and the chime is sounding, both the light and chime will turn off. Brake System Warning Light The warning light for the brakes can show two things -- that the parking brake is not fully released, or that the brake fluid level is low in the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is low, the brake system should be checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician. u If the safety belt is buckled while the light is on 10 WARNING The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately. Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light This light comes on when the parking brake is set, or if it is not set, it comes on briefly when you turn the ignition to the START position. It normally goes off shortly after the engine starts and you release the parking brake. If the light stays on after you have fully released the parking brake, have the hydraulic brake system serviced by your dealer or a qualified service technician. This light comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key to the START position. It should go off shortly after the engine starts. If it stays on longer than five (5) seconds, it indicates that your anti-lock brake system may not be working properly. Normal braking is not affected unless the BRAKE system warning light also remains on for longer than six (6) seconds. You should have your vehicle serviced immediately by your dealer or qualified service technician to restore the benefits of the anti-lock feature. See Anti-lock brakes in the Index for more information. 11 If you lose engine oil pressure: 1. 2. 3. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible. Shut off the engine immediately or severe engine damage could result. Check the engine's oil level, following the instructions on checking and adding engine oil, see Engine Oil in the Index. If you do not follow these instructions, you or others could be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your car should be on level ground. If the level is low, add only as much oil as necessary before you start the engine again. Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the light is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact your nearest dealer for further service actions. Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light This light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not the oil level. However, if your engine's oil level is low, it could affect the oil pressure. The light will come on briefly when you turn your key to the START and ON position. The light should stay off when the engine is running with normal oil pressure. If the light comes on while the engine is running, you have lost oil pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine damage. 4. For more information about adding oil, see Adding engine oil in the Maintenance and Care chapter. 12 Traction Control Active Light (If equipped) This light comes on when the Traction Control system begins applying and releasing the brakes and adjusting the engine characteristics to limit a wheelspin condition. It will be lit for a minimum of six seconds or for the duration of the Traction Control event. Charging System Light This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and that you need to have the electrical system checked. 13 This light illuminates every time you turn the ignition to the ON or START position (engine off). The light should go off when the engine starts and the alternator begins to charge. If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine is running, have the electrical system checked as soon as possible. Turn Signal Indicator Lights When you push the turn signal lever up before making a right turn, the right side arrow on the instrument panel flashes. When you push the turn signal lever down before making a left turn, the left side arrow on the instrument panel flashes. Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically after you turn your vehicle. If the turn signal continues to flash after you have made the turn, push the lever back to the OFF position. If one or both of your turn indicators do not flash or stay on continuously, have them serviced as soon as possible. In the meantime, be sure to use the accepted hand signals. Service Engine Soon Warning Light This light illuminates when the engine's Emission Control System requires service. It will also illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON position and the engine is off. 14 Chime for Headlamps On This chime sounds if the driver or any passenger door is open when the parking lamps or headlamps are on. The chime sounds until you close the door, turn off the lamps or turn the ignition to the ON position. Air Bag Readiness Light High Beam Light This light illuminates when the headlamps are turned to high beam or when you flash the lights. The air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. The readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance of the air bag system is not required. 15 If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash, remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. See Anti-Theft System in the Controls and Features chapter for more information. The Instrument Cluster In addition to warning lights, the instrument cluster has a message center/odometer, a speedometer, tachometer, fuel and coolant temperature gauges. Anti-Theft Alarm Light (If equipped) This light flashes on and off when the ignition is turned to the OFF position and any door is opened. As soon as you lock the doors, the light glows steadily. Within 30 seconds of closing all the doors, the light goes out. This indicates that the alarm system is armed. 16