service LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Engine coolant reservoir Power steering fluid reservoir Windshield washer fluid reservoir Engine oil filler cap Hood safety release High current fuse box Engine oil
dipstick Air filterEngine compartment service points
237

/!\ WARNINGIf you do not use the proper fuel cap, thepressure in the fuel tank can damage the fuelsystem or cause it to work improperly in acollision.NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer warranty
may be void for any damage to the fuel tank and/or
fuel system.
Choosing the Right Fuel
Use only PREMIUM UNLEADED FUEL in your
vehicle. Using leaded fuel is prohibited by federal
law. Your warranty may not apply if your vehicle is
damaged because you used the wrong fuel.
Octane recommendations
The 4.6L engine is designed to operate on
premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or
higher. Regular fuel with an octane rating of 87
240may be used if necessary. For optimum
performance, premium fuel is recommended.Typical octane rating label
In some parts of the country, "premium" grade fuels
are sold with octane ratings of less than 91,
especially in high altitude areas. It is recommended
that you use only those "premium" fuels with an
octane rating of 91 or higher.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when you
accelerate. However, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician if persistent, heavy knocking
occurs because this can damage the engine.

If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems when the engine is cold, it may
be caused by fuel with low volatility. Try a different
brand of fuel. If the condition persists, see your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
Gasolines for clean air
Fuels in certain areas of the country are required to
contain oxygenates to improve air quality.
Common oxygenates are ethanol or grain alcohol
(blended at no more than 10%), methanol or wood
alcohol (blended at no more than 5% with
cosolvents and additives), and MTBE or methyl
tertiary butyl ether (blended at no more than 15%).
Generally, you should not experience difficulties
operating your vehicle on fuels containing
oxygenates. We encourage you to use these fuels.Safety Information Relating to Automotive
Fuels/!\ WARNINGAutomotive fuels can cause serious injury ordeath if misused or mishandled. Turn vehicle off when refueling. Do not smoke when refueling. Fuels are
extremely flammable. Do not siphon any fuel by mouth./!\ WARNINGGasoline or gasoline blended with methanolcan cause blindness and possible death whenswallowed. If any fuel is swallowed, callphysician or poison control centerimmediately.241

Using speed control in hilly terrain Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear window
defroster and other accessories Underinflated tires Heavy loads Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage
racks, bug deflectors, etc.
Self-Service Pointers
If you choose to do your own fueling, you should
also perform a few simple maintenance routines.
This extra effort will save you additional money and
contribute to the driving efficiency of your vehicle.
The following procedures require only a tire gauge,
a rag, an oil can spout and windshield washer fluid.Check the engine oil at every refueling stopClean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
244 Check windshield washer fluid Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges Check the tire pressure at least monthly
Engine Oil Recommendations
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent
oil meeting Ford Specification ESE-M2C153-E and
displaying the American Petroleum Institute
CERTIFICATION MARK on the front of the
container.

Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in the
winter. Check the level of the coolant at least once
a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine under Engine Type, in this chapter.
Check the engine coolant level in the engine coolant
reservoir at least once a month using the following
guidelines.
When your vehicle's engine is cool, the coolant level
in the engine coolant reservoir should be at the top
of the clear portion of the reservoir. If the level is
below the cold fill level, coolant may need to be
added.
The coolant additives also protect the entire cooling
system from internal passageway corrosion and
these additives lubricate the water pump. The
coolant should be serviced as noted in the
Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet.
248Adding engine coolant/!\ WARNINGDo not put engine coolant in the containerfor the windshield washer fluid.If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through the
windshield./!\ WARNINGNever remove the pressure cap while theengine is running or hot. Follow these stepsto avoid personal injury that can be causedby escaping steam or engine coolant.1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off
and let it cool. Even when the engine is cool, be
careful when you remove the pressure cap.

your engine cooling system. Follow the
recommended service interval for changing your
engine coolant.
NOTE: When you change or add engine coolant, it
is important to maintain your engine coolant
concentration between 40% (-11°F [-24°C]) and
60% (-62°F [-52°C]), depending on your local
climate conditions. Below 40% you will lose freeze
protection; above 60% your engine may overheat
on a warm day.
NOTE: Less than 40% of coolant concentration
may cause engine corrosion and overheating. Plain
water may be used in an emergency only. Replace
it with the specified coolant as quickly as possible.
NOTE: The use of an improper coolant may void
your warranty for the engine cooling system. Use
only a premium, nationally recognized brand name
engine coolant. Do not use alcohol, methanol
antifreeze or engine coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze. If you do not use the proper
250coolant, the aluminum engine on your vehicle will
corrode.
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the Ford
Rotunda engine coolant recycling process and
chemicals. Use only Ford Rotunda recycled engine
coolant or an equivalent recycled engine coolant that
is certified by the supplier to meet Ford specification
ESE-M97B44-A.
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids
in a responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about
recycling automotive fluids.
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid E2FZ-
19549-AA (in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or an
equivalent engine coolant that meets Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A.

Engine coolant drain and flush
Proper procedures for a complete coolant drain and
flush of the cooling system can be found in the Car
Service Manual. Following these recommended
procedures will ensure that the specified coolant
level and a 50/50 or appropriate mixture of coolant
and water is maintained.
Engine coolant refill procedure
When the entire cooling system is drained and
refilled, the following procedure should be used to
ensure a complete fill:
NOTE: It is imperative the following procedure
be adhered to. Failure to do so could result in
damage to your engine. Remove coolant reservoir pressure cap. Remove the engine coolant outlet tube fill plug
on the engine. With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50 mixture
of recommended cooling system fluid and water
to the coolant outlet tube fill neck until the
reservoir is full.
NOTE: DO NOT FILL COOLANT SYSTEM
THROUGH COOLANT RESERVOIR. COOLANT
WILL NOT ENTER ENGINE, WHICH CAN
LEAD TO ENGINE DAMAGE.
NOTE: Avoid spilling coolant on the front end
accessory drive belt, as this will allow the belt to slip
and become noisy. Reinstall the pressure cap to the coolant
reservoir. Continue filling at the engine coolant tube fill
neck slowly while allowing air to escape. Reinstall the engine coolant tube fill plug when
the system is full.
251

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance. Warning: The traction
grade assigned to this tire is based on braking(straightahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive
259

Bulb specifications
FunctionTrade numberExterior illuminationBackup lamp3156Cornering lamp3156Headlamp9007High-mount brakelamp912License plate lamp168Luggage compartment lamp912Side marker - front lamp916NA*Side marker - rear lamp194Turn signal and park lamp - front3457NA*Turn signal, stoplamp and tail lamp
- rear3157Redundant turn - rear3157Decklid reflector168Instrument panel lightsElectronic automatic temperature
control***Air bag readiness light37Anti-lock warning lamp37And-theft warning lamp37Ash receptacle1445Ash ttay - rear doors37Clock***FunctionTradenumberInstrument panel lights (continued)Cluster illumination***Cluster control button37Compact disc player**Glove compartment194Headlamp switch nomenclature37Message center control buttons***“PRN@D I" bulb (floor console)194Rear window defrost switchnomenclature37Radio**Warning lights (cluster)37Interior courtesy lampsCigar lighter (door mounted)1893Door mounted lamp (front and rear)214-2Illuminated visor mirror (passenger)74Overhead console-reading lamps (without
moon roof)211-2Passenger assist handle (rear seat)211-2Under instrument panel906*NA means Natural Amber.
**Refer bulb replacement to a Ford -authorized radio service
center.
***Refer bulb replacement to a Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer.
283

Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with three (3) catalytic
converters which are used to enable your vehicle to
comply with applicable exhaust emissions
requirements./!\ WARNINGExhaust leaks may result in the entry ofharmful and potentially lethal fumes into thepassenger compartment. Under extremeconditions excessive exhaust temperaturescould damage the fuel system, the interiorfloor covering, or other vehicle components,possibly causing a fire.To make sure that the catalytic converters and the
other emissions control parts continue to work
properly: Use only premium unleaded fuel.
284 Avoid running out of fuel. Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is
moving, especially at high speeds. Do not push start your vehicle. Have the services listed in the Maintenance
Schedule and Record booklet performed according
to the specified schedule. The scheduled
maintenance services are required because they are
considered essential to the life and performance of
your vehicle and to its emissions system.
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service of
the emissions control devices or systems in your new
Ford Motor Company vehicle or engine may be
performed at your expense by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using automotive parts
equivalent to those which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.