LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 Owners Manual

282How does the Board Work?The Board consists of:q
three consumer representatives
q
a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer
Consumer candidates for Board membership are
recruited and trained by an independent consulting
firm. Dealers are chosen because of their business
leadership qualities.
What the Board needsTo have your case reviewed you must complete the
application in the DSB brochure and mail it to the
address provided on the application form.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined
to be eligible, you will receive an acknowledgment
indicating:q
the file number assigned to your application
q
the toll-free phone number of the DSB's
independent administratorYour dealership and a Ford Motor Company
representative are asked to submit statements at this
time.
To review your case properly, the Board needs the
following information:
q
legible copies of all documents and maintenance
or repair orders relevant to the case
q
the year, make, model, and Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) listed on your
vehicle ownership license
q
the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of
occurrence(s)
q
the current mileage
q
the name of the dealer who sold or serviced the
vehicle
q
a brief description of your unresolved concern
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

283
q
a brief summary of the action taken with the
dealer and Ford Motor Company
q
the names (if known) of all the people you
contacted at the dealership
q
a description of the action you expect to resolve
your concern
Should your case NOT qualify for review, a letter of
explanation will be mailed to you.
Oral presentationsIf the involved vehicle is within 36 months and
36,000 miles of the warranty start date, you have
the right to make an oral presentation before the
Board. Indicate your choice to do so on the
application. Oral presentations may also be
requested by the Board.
Making a decisionBoard members will review all available information
related to the complaint, including oral
presentations, if necessary. They then arrive at a fair
and impartial decision, decided by a simple majority
vote.
Because the Board usually meets only once a
month, some cases may take longer than 30 days to
be reviewed. The Board makes every effort to
resolve each case within 40 days of receiving the
consumer application form.
After your case is reviewed, the Board mails you a
decision letter. The Board also provides a form on
which to accept or reject the Board's decision. The
decisions of the Board are binding on the dealer
and Ford, but not on consumers who may elect to
pursue other remedies available to them under state
or federal law. Decisions of the Board may be
presented as evidence by any party in subsequent
legal proceedings that may be initiated, where
allowed by law.
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

284To Request a DSB
Brochure/ApplicationFor a brochure/application, speak to your dealer or
write to the Board at the following address:Ford of Canada Customer
AssistanceIf you live in Canada and have any questions or
concerns that the dealership cannot answer, contact
the Lincoln Centre.
Please have the following information available
when contacting the Lincoln Centre:q
your telephone number (both business and
home)
q
the name of the dealer and the city where the
dealership is located
q
the year and make of your vehicle
q
the date purchased
q
the current mileage on your vehicle
q
your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

285
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN/Serial
Number)Mediation/Arbitration Program
(Canada Only)In those cases where you continue to feel that the
efforts by Ford and the dealer to resolve a
factory-related vehicle service concern have been
unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in an
impartial third party mediation/arbitration program
administered by the Canadian Motor Vehicle
Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).The CAMVAP program is a straight-forward and
relatively speedy alternative to resolve a
disagreement when all other efforts to produce a
settlement have failed. This procedure is without
cost to you and is designed to eliminate the need
for lengthy and expensive legal proceedings.
In the CAMVAP program, impartial third-party
Arbitrators conduct hearings at mutually convenient
times and places in an informal environment. These
impartial Arbitrators review the positions of the
parties, make decisions and, where appropriate,
render awards to resolve disputes. CAMVAP
decisions are fast, fair and final as the arbitrator's
award is binding on both you and Ford of Canada.
CAMVAP services are available in all territories and
provinces, except Quebec. For more information,
without charge or obligation, call your CAMVAP
Provincial Administrator directly at 1-800-207-0685.
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

286Getting Help Outside the U.S.
and CanadaBefore you export your vehicle to a foreign country,
contact the appropriate foreign embassy or consulate
to make sure local regulations do not prevent you
from registering your vehicle. Officials at the
embassy can also help you decide whether you
should import your vehicle to that country.
Officials at the embassy or consulate can tell you
where to get unleaded fuel. If you cannot get
unleaded fuel or can get only fuel with an
anti-knock index that is lower than your vehicle
needs, contact a district or owner relations office
before you leave the U.S. or Canada.Use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without a proper
conversion may damage the effectiveness of your
emissions control system and may cause engine
knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor
Company is not responsible for any damage that is
caused by use of improper fuel.
You may also have difficulty importing your vehicle
back into the U.S. if you use leaded fuel.
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

287
If your vehicle must be serviced while you are
traveling or living in Central or South America, the
Caribbean, or the Middle East, contact the nearest
Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot help you,
write to:
If you are in other foreign countries, contact the
nearest Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot
help you, they can direct you to the appropriate
Ford affiliate office.
If you buy your vehicle in North America and then
relocate outside of the U.S. or Canada, register your
Vehicle Identification Number and new address
with Ford Motor Company Export Operations.
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

289
AccessoriesFord Accessories for Your VehicleA wide selection of accessories is available through
your local authorized dealer. These fine accessories
have been engineered specifically to fulfill your
automotive needs. They are custom designed to
complement the style and aerodynamic appearance
of your Ford-built vehicle. In addition, each
accessory is made from high quality materials and
meets or exceeds Ford's rigid engineering and safety
specifications. That is why Ford brand accessories
are warranted for up to 12 months or 12,000 miles
(20,000 km), whichever comes first. See your
dealer for complete warranty information and
accessory availability.
Ford has many fine products available from your
dealer to clean your vehicle and protect its finishes.
For best results, use the following, or products of
equivalent quality:
File:15fnacc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:23 1996

290
NOTE:When adding accessories, equipment,
passengers, and luggage to your vehicle, do not
exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR, GAWR as shown on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label). Consult
your dealer for specific weight information.
File:15fnacc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:23 1996

291
NOTE:The Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) or the Canadian Radio Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) regulates the use of mobile
communications systems Ð such as two-way radios,
telephones, and theft alarms Ð that are equipped
with radio transmitters. Any such equipment
installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC
or CRTC regulations and should be installed only by
a qualified technician.
NOTE:Mobile communications systems may harm
the operation of your vehicle, particularly if they are
not properly designed for automotive use or are not
properly installed. For example, when operated,
such systems may cause the engine to stumble or
stall. In addition, such systems may themselves be
damaged or their operation affected by operating
your vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers,
garage door openers, and other transmitters whose
power output is 5 watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle's operation.)NOTE:Because we have no control over the
installation, design, or manufacture of such systems,
Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse
effects or damage that may result if you use this
equipment.
File:15fnacc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:23 1996

292
File:15fnacc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:23 1996