LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

9. Check to make sure that the child seat is
properly secured prior to each use. If the
retractor is not locked, repeat steps 6 through
8.
NOTE:To remove the retractor from
automatic lock mode, allow seat belt to retract fully
to its stowed position and the retractor will
automatically switch back to the vehicle sensitive
locking mode for normal adult usage.
Installing a Child Safety, Seat at the
Front Center Seating Position with
Adjustable Lap Belt-
1.Lengthen the lap belt. To lengthen the belt,
hold the tongue so that its bottom is
perpendicular to the direction of webbing
while sliding the tongue up the webbing.
2. Place the child safety seat in the center seating
position.3.Route the tongue and webbing through the
child seat according to the child seat
manufacturer's instructions.
4. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle
for the center seating position until you hear
a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the
tongue is m securely fastened to the buckle
by pulling on tongue.
5. Push down on the child seat while pulling on
the loose end of the lap belt webbing to
tighten the belt.
6. Before placing the child into the child seat,
forcibly tilt the child seat from side-to-side
and in forward directions to ensure that the
seat is held securely in place. If the child seat
moves excessively, repeat steps 5 through 6,
or properly install the child seat in a different
seating position.
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/!\WARNINGCarefully follow all of the manufacturer'sinstructions included with the safety seat youput in your vehicle. If you do not install anduse the safety seat properly, the child may beinjured in a sudden stop or collision.Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps
Some manufacturers make safety seats that include
a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle
seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other
manufacturers offer the tether strap as an
accessory. Contact the manufacturer of your child
safety seat for information about ordering a tether
strap.
Tether anchorage hardware
All vehicles include a tether anchor installed at the
rear center seating position for use with child safety
seats. Attachment holes (at each rear outboard
38seating position) have been provided in your
vehicle to attach anchor hardware, if required.
Additional kits can be obtained at no charge from
any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Safety Belts for Children
Children who are too large for child safety seats
should always wear safety belts. (See instructions
with your child seat, or contact its manufacturer,
to determine maximum size of child that will
safely fit in the seat.)/!\ WARNINGIf safety belts are not properly worn andadjusted as described, the risk of seriousinjury to the child in a collision will bemuch greater.

If the shoulder belt portion of the lap/shoulder belt
can be positioned so that it does not cross or rest in
front of the child's face or neck, the child should
wear the lap/shoulder belt. Moving the child closer
to the seat belt buckle may help provide a good
shoulder belt fit.
To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on
children who have outgrown child safety seats,
Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning booster
seat that is labelled as conforming to all Federal
motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning
booster seats raise the child and provide a shorter,
firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating
posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on
the child. A belt-positioning booster should be
used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child's
face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on
both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the
child sit all the way back on the seat cushion when
the lower legs hang over the edge of the seat
cushion. You may wish to discuss the specific
needs of your child with your pediatrician./!\ WARNINGDo not use a belt-positioning booster witha lap-only belt.Lap belts and the lap belt portion of lap and
shoulder belts should always be worn snugly and
below the hips, touching the child's thighs./!\ WARNINGTo reduce the risk of serious injury incollision, children should always ride withthe seatback upright.39

Starting Your ContinentalIgnition
Understanding the Positions of the
IgnitionThe positions of the key in the ignitionACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is not
running.
NOTE:Your vehicle is also equipped with an
accessory timer. This allows some of your
accessories to remain on for up to I 0 minutes after
the ignition is turned to the OFF position. The
accessory timer is cancelled if any door is opened, the
dimmer switch is used, or the ignition is turned to the
ON position.
The automatic transaxle gearshift must be in P (Park)
to move the key to the LOCK position.
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
gearshift lever.
LOCK is the only position that-allows you to remove
the key. The LOCK feature helps to protect your
vehicle from theft.
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OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel, or the
gearshift lever.
ON allows You to test your vehicle's warning lights
(except the brake system warning light) to make sure
they work before you start the engine. The key returns
to the ON position once the engine is started and
remains in this position while the
engine runs.
START cranks the engine. Release the key once the
engine starts so that you do not damage the starter. The
key should return to ON when You release it. The
START position also allows You to test the Brake
Warning Light.
42Removing the Key From the Ignition
1.Put the gearshift in P (Park)-
2.Set the parking brake fully.
3.Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4.Remove the key.
If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move the
steering wheel left or right until the key turns freely.
If the driver's door is open while the key is still in the
ignition, a warning chime sounds./! WARNINGAlways set the parking brake fully andmake sure that the gearshift is securelylatched in P (Park).

/! WARNINGDo not leave children, unreliable adults,or pets alone in your vehicle. They couldaccidentally injure themselves or othersthrough inadvertent operation of thevehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days,temperatures in a closed vehicle couldquickly become high enough to causesevere and possibly fatal injuries to peopleas well as animals.Fuel-Injected Engines
When starting a fuel-injected engine, the most
important thing to remember is to avoid pressing
down on the accelerator before or during starting.
Only use the accelerator when you have problems
getting your vehicle started. See Starting Your Engine
in this chapter for details about when to use the
accelerator while you start your vehicle.Staring Your Vehicle
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle/!\WARNINGDo not start your vehicle in a closed garage orother enclosed area. Never sit in a stoppedvehicle for more than a short period of timewith the engine running. Exhaust fumes aretoxic. See Guarding Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for more instructions.Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
1. Make sure you and all your passengers buckle
your safety belts. See Safety Restraints in the
Index for more details.
2. Make sure the headlamps and other accessories
are turned off when starting.
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3.Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is set before you turn the key.
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the
warning lights on the instrument panel to make sure that
they work. Refer to the Warning Lights and Gauges
chapter.
Starting Your Engine
To start your engine:
1.Follow the steps under Preparing to Start Your
Vehicle at the beginning of this section.
2.Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the accelerator
while the vehicle is parked.
444. Turn the key to the START position (cranking)
until the engine starts. Allow the key to return to
the ON position after the engine has started.
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the
steering wheel slightly because it may be binding.
For a cold engine: At temperatures 10° °F (-12° °C) and below: If the
engine does not start in fifteen (15) seconds on the
first try, turn the key to OFF, wait approximately
ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine,
then try again. At temperatures above 10° °F (-12° °C): If the
engine does not start in five (5) seconds on the
first try, turn the key to OFF, wait approximately
ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine,
then try again.

For a warm engine: Do not hold the key in the START position for more
than five (5) seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start within five (5) seconds on the first try, turn
the key to the OFF position. Wait a few seconds
after the starter stops, then try again.
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon
as the engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage
the starter or flood the engine.
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and put the
gearshift lever in gear. Release the parking brake.
Slowly release the brake pedal and drive away in the
normal manner.
NOTE:Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transaxle that has an interlock that prevents you from
shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is on the brake
pedal.If the engine does not start after two
attempts:
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position,
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off may have been triggered. For directions
on how to reset the switch see Fuel Pump Shut-
Off Switch later in this chapter.
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A computer system controls the engine's idle speed.
When you start your vehicle, the engine's idle speed
normally runs higher than when it is warmed up. These
faster engine speeds will make your vehicle move
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It should,
however, slow down after a short time. If it does not,
have the idle speed checked.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle for more
than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle checked./! WARNINGExtended idling at high engine speeds can producevery high temperatures in the engine and exhaustsystem, creating the risk of fire or other damage.46/! WARNINGDo not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in drygrass or other dry ground cover. Theemission system heats up the enginecompartment and exhaust system, which canstart a fire.Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if
you live in a region where temperatures reach -10° °F
(-23° °C) or below. An engine block heater warms
the engine coolant, which improves starting, warms
up the engine faster, and allows the heater-defrost
system to respond quickly.
To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a
grounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends that
you use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by a
ground fault circuit interrupter.

/! WARNINGTo prevent electrical shock, do not use yourheater with ungrounded electrical systemsor two-pronged (cheater) adapters.For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before you start your vehicle. Using the
heater for longer than three hours will not damage
the engine, so you can plug it in at night to start
your vehicle the following morning.If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start After a Collision
Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
If the engine cranks but does not start or does
not start after a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device intended to stop the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle. The switch is on the left side of the
trunk.
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