towing LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Roadside Service Assistance
Lincoln owners receive complimentary 24-hour
emergency roadside service assistance for a period of
four years for towing, jump-starting, lock-out service,
gas delivery, a tire change or other roadside services.
Call the hotline at 1-800-521-4140 any time of day or
night for emergency roadside assistance.
Emergency Travel Expense
Reimbursement
Covers expenses such as meals, lodging and car
rental if your automobile is disabled more than 100
miles (160 km) from home.
Destination Assistance (U.S. only)
In the event of a collision or mechanical breakdown,
Lincoln helps get you to your immediate destination
with a reimbursement allowance for emergency
transportation service such as taxicabs, rental cars,
shuttles, etc.
4Trip Planning Service
Plan your journeys with custom-computerized,
travel-related information including maps and trip
routings. To order customer-designed travel packets,
call 1-800-521-4140.
Membership in QuestÒ Ò International
(U.S. only)
You will automatically receive a complimentary
membership in Quest International which entities
you to travel-related discounts on meals and rooms
at more than 2,100 hotels in the United States,
Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The Lincoln Warranty
For specifics on what is covered, see your Warranty
Information Booklet.

The left side of the trunk/! WARNINGIf you see or smell fuel, do not reset theswitch or try to start your vehicle. Haveall the passengers get out of the vehicleand call the local fire department or atowing service.48If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
1 . Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
2.Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
3.if you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
4.Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
5.Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel. If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again. If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.

3. Subtract the first reading from the second to
figure the total weight of the load.
After determining this load, you must also make sure
that the total weight of your vehicle, plus the load it
carries, is less than its GVWR. Also, make sure that
the weight your vehicle carries over each axle is less
than the GAWR for the respective axle.
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo
from your vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle
exceeds the GAWR for either axle, shift the load or
remove cargo accordingly./!\ WARNINGImproper distribution of your vehicle's loador carrying weight in excess of the amountshown on the tire decal can cause rapid tirewear or loss of vehicle control.194Trailer Towing
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer of up
to a maximum of 2,000 lbs. (907 kg) gross
trailer weight with a maximum tongue load of
200 lbs. (91 kg).
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of
your vehicle: Stay within the load limits for towing your
vehicle. (See Trailer towing specifications
in this chapter.) Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(See Preparing to Tow in this chapter.) Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (See Driving while you tow
in this chapter.)

Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a
trailer. (See Servicing your vehicle if you tow in
this chapter.)
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should be
on the tongue. However, the tongue load should
never exceed 10% of the maximum weight that your
vehicle can safely tow.
New vehicles should be driven 2,000 miles (3,200
km) before towing a trailer./!\ WARNINGTowing trailers beyond the maximumrecommended gross trailer weight exceeds thelimit of the vehicle and could result in enginedamage, transaxle damage, structuraldamage, loss of control, and personal injury./!\ WARNINGDo not tow a trailer when thetemporary spare tire is being used.See the following chart for the amount of
weight your vehicle can tow.
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Towing ClassLight-dutyMaximum gross trailer
weight1,000/2,000 lbs. (454/907
kg)*Maximum tongue load100/200 lbs. (45/91 kg)Engine4.OLHitch designLoad carrying typeTraffer-tow package
optionNot requiredVehicle speed should not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) when
towing on grades. Limit maximum gross trailer weight to
1,000 lbs. (454 kg) and maximum tongue load to 100 lbs. (45
kg): (1) when you are towing a trailer on steep hills or on
moderate hills for a long distance (five miles (8 kms) or more)
(2) on very hot days (when the temperature is 1OO°F (38°C)
or more).
You should also limit your trailer's load when you
tow in high altitudes.
196Preparing to Tow
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all
towing equipment is properly attached to your
vehicle. If you are not certain that you are
using the right equipment in the proper manner,
see your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed
to bear the load.
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
Connecting the safety chains
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.

Driving While You Tow
Be especially careful when driving while you tow a
trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h)
when you tow in hilly country on hot days. Also,
anticipate stops so that you can brake gradually.
Towing a trailer increases the load on the engine and
transaxle, particularly in hilly country and with
heavier trailers. Under these conditions you may
experience an excessive amount of shifting between
Overdrive and Third gears. Moving the shift selector
to D (Overdrive Lockout) will keep this from
happening and will provide better engine braking.
When driving in less hilly country or with a lighter
trailer load. you may move the gearshift selector
lever to (Overdrive) without experiencing
excessive shifting.
198When driving down steep hills, you should put
the gearshift selector lever in the I (First)
position to shift the transaxle into second gear.
This will provide additional engine braking.
The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear for driving up a
grade.
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. See the Maintenance Schedule and
Record booklet.

To remove the spare tire:
1.Remove the spare tire cover.
2.Unscrew the wing-nut holding down the spare
tire.
3. Lift out the spare tire and jack kit.
Preparing to Change the Tire
1.Make sure that your vehicle will not move or
roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing./! WARNINGIf the vehicle slips off the jack, you orsomeone else could be seriously injured.Turn off the air suspension switch prior to jacking.
206/! WARNINGOn vehicles equipped with Air Suspension,turn OFF the Air Suspension switch prior tojacking, hoisting or towing your vehicle.Air suspension switchThe air suspension switch - located in the trunk

Towing Your Vehicle
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a
professional towing service or, if you are a member,
your roadside assistance center. Typical towing
options include wheel lift towing or flat bed towing.Front towingRear towing
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what
kind of vehicle you have. A towing manual is
available from Ford Motor Company for 0 authorized
tow truck operators. Have your tow truck driver
refer to this manual for the proper hook-up and
towing procedures for your vehicle.
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Driving under special conditionsEmission control system
bad weather191catalytic converter................................284
heavy load192emissions warranty...............................284
high water192Engine
slippery roads191does not start....................................45
towing a trailer194fuel injected engine, starting..............43
fuel pump shut-off switch..................47
Epreparing to start..............................43
Electrical systemrefill capacities..................................287
fuses275service points....................................237
operating when the engine is off41starting.............................................44
Electronic sound systemstarting after a collision.....................47
accessory delay165storing your vehicle...........................291
antenna165Engine block heater..................................46
radio reception176Engine coolant
tuning the radio.......................................161checking and adding................247
warranty and service information.............178disposal232, 250, 262
Emergencies, roadside.........................................................drain and flush.........................251
battery acid spills...................................199preparing for storage...............291
jump-starting199................refill capacities.........................287
towing211................refill procedure........................251
Emergency brake (parking brake).................188specifications...........................289
311

Keys.............................................................charging system...............................55
key in ignition chime............................42engine oil pressure...........................54
positions of the ignition........................41high beam........................................58
removing from the ignition...................42oil pressure......................................54
stuck in lock position...........................42safety belt........................................52
L.................................service engine soon..........................56
Lamps..........................................................turn signal indicator.........................56
autolamp delay system.........................83Load limits
checking............................................277GAWR............................................192
................................................................GVVVR..........................................192
daytime running light system................81trailer towing...................................194
flashing the lamps................................90Lubricant specifications........................289
hazard flashers.....................................92Luggage compartment..........................135
headlamps............................................82Lug nuts, anti-theft...............................209
high beams...........................................90
replacing bulbs...................................277..........................M
trailer.................................................197Maintenance (see Servicing).................231
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal)....89Map pockets.........................................134
Lights, warning and indicator.......................Methanol in fuel...................................241
air bag.................................................59Mileage, calculating fuel economy........243
anti-theft..............................................59Mirrors
brake...................................................52automatic dimming rearview mirror..125
315