air suspension LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 2000 Owners Manual

If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
SeeElectronic Message Centerin theInstrumentationchapter for
personalized adjustment.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked by your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance during:
²certain road conditions
²steering maneuvers
²braking
²accelerations
This system keeps the rear of your vehicle at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the springs.
If you exceed the load limit, the rear air suspension may not operate and
the system warning CHECK RIDE CONTROL may appear on the message
center.
Driving
129

The air suspension shut-off switch is
located on the left side of the trunk.
If this switch is in the OFF position,
the rear air suspension will not
operate.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) unless the brake
pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift, it is
possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears in a steady pattern. Press lightly
OFF
Driving
130

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
8 40A** Rear Window Defrost Control
9 60A** I/P Fuse Panel
10 60A** Lighting Control Module
11 60A** Compressor Relay
12 60A** Anti-Lock Brake Control Module
13 40A** Blower Motor
14 60A** High Speed Cooling Fan
1 30A* PCM
2 20A* ALT SENSE
3 30A* Right Rear Passenger Window
4 30A* Air Suspension
5 Ð Not Used
6 20A* Horns
7 15A* High Beam
8 30A* Right Front Passenger Window
1 Ð A/C Diode
2 Ð PCM Diode
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
Auxiliary relay box
The auxiliary relay box is located in the engine compartment. The
auxiliary relay box contains the high and low speed cooling fan relays.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Roadside emergencies
152

5. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground. Refer to
Anti-theft lug nutsfor information
on removing anti-theft lug nuts.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
Refer toAir suspension systemin
theDrivingchapter for more
information.
6. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the door closest to the tire
you are changing. Turn the jack
handle clockwise until the wheel is
completely off the ground.
OFF
Roadside emergencies
154

To lessen the risk of personal injury, do not put any part of your
body under the vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start the
engine when your vehicle is on the jack. The jack is only meant for
changing the tire.
7. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Replace the flat tire with
the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is facing outward. Reinstall lug
nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug
nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
8. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
9. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
10. Put flat tire, jack and lug wrench
away.
11. Turn on the air suspension
switch.
Anti-theft lug nuts (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, one of the lug nuts on each
wheel must be removed and replaced with a special key. The key and
registration card are attached to the lug wrench and stored with the
spare tire. If you lose the key, send the registration card to the
manufacturer (not the dealer) to get a replacement key. If the lug
wrench/lug nut key assembly is lost, see your nearest Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealer who has access to the master set of keys.Do not
use an impact wrench with the anti-theft key.
To remove the anti-theft lug nut:
1. Insert the key over the locking
lug nut. Make sure you hold the key
square to the lug nut. If you hold
the key at an angle, you could
damage the key and the lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and apply pressure on
the key with the wrench.
1
4 3
2 5
Roadside emergencies
155

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed by wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow your vehicle from the front using slingbelt
equipment. However, if your vehicle has experienced a failure in the air
suspension system and is in the full down position, then your vehicle
must be towed from the rear using a slingbelt with T-hooks.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift or slingbelt
equipment, the front wheels (drive wheels) must be placed on a dolly to
prevent damage to the transaxle.
Before your vehicle can be towed, the air suspension control in the
luggage compartment must be turned to the OFF position (if equipped).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company provides a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
161

Accessory delay ..........................76
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........104,105,109
and child safety seats ............106
description .......................105,109
disposal ....................................112
driver air bag ...................107,110
indicator light ...............9,108,111
operation ..........................107,110
passenger air bag ............107,110
side air bag ..............................109
Air cleaner filter .......................209
Air conditioning ..........................24
automatic temperature
control system ..........................24
Air filter, cabin ..........................179
Air suspension ...........................129
description ..............................129
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................169
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................125,126
Anti-theft system ........................79
arming the system ....................79
disarming a triggered system ..80
Audio system (see Radio) .........30
Automatic transaxle .................130
driving with .............................132
fluid, adding ............................174
fluid, checking ........................174
fluid, refill capacities ..............209
fluid, specification ..................211
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........210
Battery .......................................177
acid, treating emergencies .....177
charging system
warning light .............................11
jumping a disabled battery ....156
maintenance-free ....................177
replacement, specifications ...209
servicing ..................................177Belt minder ...............................100
Brakes ........................................125
anti-lock ............................125,126
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........10,126
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....168
fluid, refill capacities ..............209
fluid, specifications ..........210,211
lubricant specifications ...210,211
shift interlock ..........................130
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....209
CD changer .................................42
Certification Label ....................213
Child safety restraints ..............112
child safety belts ....................112
Child safety seats ......................113
attaching with tether straps ..117
in front seat ............................115
in rear seat ..............................115
Cleaning your vehicle ...............204
engine compartment ..............206
exterior ....................................205
exterior lamps .........................206
instrument panel ....................207
instrument panel lens ............207
interior ..............................207,208
mirrors .....................................205
plastic parts ............................205
safety belts ..............................208
washing ....................................204
waxing .....................................204
wheels ......................................205
windows ..................................208
wiper blades ............................206
woodtone trim ........................208
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............24
Clock ............................................30
Compass, electronic ....................69
calibration ............................71,73
Index
226

charging system ........................11
high beam .................................10
oil pressure ...............................11
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ....................8
traction control active ..............11
turn signal indicator .................10
Load limits .................................135
GAWR ......................................135
GVWR ......................................135
trailer towing ..........................135
Locks
autolock .....................................88
childproof ..................................77
doors ..........................................74
Lubricant specifications ....210,211
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................155
Lumbar support, seats ...............94
Message center .................14,16,20
air leveling disabled .................14
air ride switch off .....................14
check air ride system ...............14
check air suspension ................14
menu button .............................19
reset button ..............................20
system check button ................16
warning messages .....................17
Mirrors .........................................65
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................73
cleaning ...................................205
heated ........................................77
programmable memory ............84
side view mirrors (power) .......76
Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts .................191,209
Octane rating ............................190
Odometer .....................................13
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................165
Overdrive ...................................131
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ..................82Parking brake ............................126
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....209
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................151
Power door locks ........................74
Power steering ...................128,129
fluid, checking and adding ....174
fluid, refill capacity ................209
fluid, specifications ..........210,211
Radio ............................................30
Relays .................................143,152
Remote entry system ............81,82
illuminated entry ......................84
locking/unlocking doors ...........81
opening the trunk .....................82
panic alarm ...............................82
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................83
replacing the batteries .............82
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ................12,95,96,97,98
Safety defects, reporting ..........225
Safety restraints ...........95,96,97,98
belt minder .............................100
cleaning
the safety belts ................104,208
extension assembly ..................99
for adults .........................96,97,98
for children .............................112
lap belt ......................................99
warning light
and chime ........................9,11,100
Safety seats for children ..........113
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............95
Seats ............................................92
child safety seats ....................113
cleaning ............................207,208
easy access/easyout feature ....95
heated ........................................94
memory seat .............................84
Index
229