warning LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 Owners Manual

2
Thingsto Kno wAbou tUsin gThis
WARNING
File:02fniic.ex

10The following warning lights and gauges are on the
instrument cluster. All of the warning lights and
gauges alert you to possible problems with your
vehicle.Indicator Lights and ChimesSafety Belt Warning Light and ChimeThis warning light and chime remind you to fasten
your safety belt. The following conditions will take
place:q
If the safety belt is not buckled when the
ignition is turned to the ON position, the chime
will turn on for four (4) to eight (8) seconds
and the light will come on for one to two
minutes.
q
If the safety belt is buckled while the light is on
and the chime is sounding, both the light and
chime will turn off.
q
If the safety belt is buckled before the ignition
is turned to the ON position, neither the light
nor the chime will come on.
Brake System Warning LightThe warning light for the brakes can show two
things Ð that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in the
master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is low,
the brake system should be checked by your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
File:03fnisc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 14:14:40 1996

11
Thisligh tcome son whe nthe parkin gbrak eis set,
WARNING
Th eBRAK Eligh tindicate stha tthe

12Engine Oil Pressure Warning LightThis light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not the
oil level. However, if your engine's oil level is low,
it could affect the oil pressure. The light will come
on briefly when you turn your key to the START
and ON position. The light should stay off when
the engine is running with normal oil pressure. If
the light comes on while the engine is running, you
have lost oil pressure and continued operation will
cause severe engine damage.If you lose engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe
engine damage could result.
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine oil,
seeEngine Oilin the Index. If you do not
follow these instructions, you or others could
be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your
car should be on level ground.
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again. Do
not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the
light is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact
your nearest dealer for further service actions.
For more information about adding oil, seeAdding
engine oilin theMaintenance and Carechapter.
File:03fnisc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 14:14:40 1996

14This light illuminates every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine off).
The light should go off when the engine starts and
the alternator begins to charge.
If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine
is running, have the electrical system checked as
soon as possible.Turn Signal Indicator LightsWhen you push the turn signal lever up before
making a right turn, the right side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
When you push the turn signal lever down before
making a left turn, the left side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically after
you turn your vehicle. If the turn signal continues
to flash after you have made the turn, push the
lever back to the OFF position.
If one or both of your turn indicators do not flash
or stay on continuously, have them serviced as soon
as possible. In the meantime, be sure to use the
accepted hand signals.Service Engine Soon Warning LightThis light illuminates when the engine's Emission
Control System requires service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON
position and the engine is off.
File:03fnisc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 14:14:40 1996

16If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash,
remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.Anti-Theft Alarm Light (If equipped)This light flashes on and off when the ignition is
turned to the OFF position and any door is opened.
As soon as you lock the doors, the light glows
steadily. Within 30 seconds of closing all the doors,
the light goes out. This indicates that the alarm
system is armed.
SeeAnti-Theft Systemin theControls and Features
chapter for more information.The Instrument ClusterIn addition to warning lights, the instrument cluster
has a message center/odometer, a speedometer,
tachometer, fuel and coolant temperature gauges.
File:03fnisc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 14:14:40 1996

183. Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE
COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE
ENGINE IS COOL.
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant to
your engine, seeEngine Coolantin the Index.
If you do not follow these instructions, you or
others could be injured.
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced as soon as possible.Fuel GaugeThe fuel gauge displays approximately how much
fuel you have in the fuel tank. The ignition switch
must be in the OFF position while filling the tank
with at least three gallons (11 liters) for the fuel
gauge to indicate the new level. If the ignition is
left ON or less than 3 gallons (11 liters) of fuel are
added the fuel gauge will not immediately indicate
the new fuel level. The gauge will gradually correct
itself to indicate the true fuel level.
The Electronic Message Center
(M/C)The Electronic Message Center only works when
the ignition is in the ON position.
Each time the M/C is powered the display goes
through a self test by displaying the PLEASE
FASTEN SEATBELT message. This self test is used
to stabilize the systems before reporting the status
to you.
The message center tells you about the condition of
your vehicle by two methods:q
operator selectable features
q
continuous warning reporting of monitored
systems
File:03fnisc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 14:14:40 1996

19
You can select different features for the M/C to
display by using the message center control buttons
located to the right of the instrument cluster. You
will hear a tone when you press one of these
buttons. However, if the M/C detects a warning
from any of the monitored systems, then the M/C
will display the appropriate warning message.Operator Selectable Features
Cluster Control Buttons and Message Center
Control Buttons
File:03fnisc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 14:14:40 1996

20These features are controlled by the message center
(M/C) control buttons located to the right of the
instrument cluster.System CheckPressing the SYSTEM CHECK button causes the
M/C to cycle through a status of each of the
systems being monitored. For each of the monitored
systems, the M/C will indicate either an OK
message or a warning message for three seconds.
The sequence of the system check report is as
follows:q
Washer Fluid Level
q
Ride Control
q
Oil Level
q
Engine Coolant Level
q
Voltage Level
q
Engine Temperature
q
Doors Closed (Driver and Right Side)
q
Trunk Closed
q
Exterior Lamps (Head, Front Turn, Brake and
Tail)
q
Distance to Empty
q
Fuel Level
q
Traction Control (if equipped)
System WarningsSystem warnings alert you to possible problems or
malfunctions in your vehicle's operating systems.
There are up to 18 warning messages which can be
displayed by the M/C to show the status of the
monitored systems. The M/C will display the last
selected feature if there are no more warning
messages. This allows you to use the full
functionality of the M/C after you acknowledge the
warning by pressing the RESET button and clearing
the warning message.
File:03fnisc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 14:14:40 1996

21
Warning messages that have been reset are divided
into two categories. They will reappear on the
display ten minutes from the reset or they will not
reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed. This reappearing of warning messages is
a reminder that these warning conditions still exist
within the vehicle.E/MA press of this button allows you to change the
M/C and the Electronic Climate control unit from
English to Metric Units. When you press this button
all displays change from English to Metric or Metric
to English units. The displays remain in the units
you have chosen until you change them again even
after you turn off the vehicle and start it again.TRIPPressing this button will display the first of two trip
odometers. Pressing it again will display the second
Trip Odometer. Pressing RESET will clear ony that
Trip odometer which is displayed.
File:03fnisc.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 14:14:40 1996