LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1998 Customer Assistance Guide

Getting the service you need 2
The Dispute Settlement Board 3
Getting assistance outside of the U.S. 6
Ford accessories for your vehicle 7
Ordering additional owner's literature 11
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Copyright
r1997 Ford Motor Company
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Table of contents
1

GETTING THE SERVICE YOU NEED
At home
Ford Motor Company has authorized Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealerships to service your vehicle. Ford strongly recommends taking
your vehicle to the selling dealership because they have a vested interest
in your continued satisfaction. You may, however, take your vehicle to
any authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Your dealer has factory-trained technicians and the latest diagnostic
equipment to ensure your new vehicle is serviced properly. Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships also carry genuine Ford parts and
accessories, providing you with original equipment reliability.
If you are not satisfied with the service you receive at the dealership,
speak with the service manager. If you are still not satisfied, speak with
the owner or general manager of the dealership. In most cases, your
concern will be resolved at this level.
Away from home
If you are away from home when your vehicle needs service, or if you
need more help than the dealership could provide, contact the Ford
Customer Assistance Center to find an authorized dealership to help you:
Ford Motor Company
Lincoln Customer Assistance Center
300 Renaissance Center
P.O. Box 43360
Detroit, Michigan 48243
1-800-521-4140
(TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952)
Please have the following information available when contacting Ford
Customer Assistance:
²your telephone number (home and business)
²the name of the dealer and the city where the dealership is located
²the year and make of your vehicle
²the date of vehicle purchase
²the current mileage of your vehicle
If you need service
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²the vehicle identification number (VIN) listed on your vehicle
ownership license
If you still have a complaint involving a warranty dispute, you may wish
to contact the Dispute Settlement Board.
A warranty dispute must be submitted to the Dispute Settlement Board
before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or to the
extent allowed by state law, before pursuing replacement or repurchase
remedies provided by certain state laws. This dispute handling procedure
is not required prior to enforcing state created rights or other rights
which are independent of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state
replacement or repurchase laws.
THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
²an independent, third-party arbitration program for warranty disputes
²available free to owners and lessees of qualifying Ford Motor Company
vehicles
The Dispute Settlement Board may not be available in all states. Ford
Motor Company reserves the right to change eligibility limitations, modify
procedures and/or to discontinue this service without notice and without
incurring obligations.
What kinds of cases does the Board review?
Unresolved service or product performance complaints on Ford, Mercury
and Lincoln cars and Ford and Mercury light trucks which are within the
terms of any applicable written new vehicle warranty are eligible for
review, except those involving:
²a non-Ford product
²a non-Ford dealership
²a vehicle sales transaction
²request for reimbursement of consequential expenses. Expenses
incidental to the warranty complaint being reviewed are eligible for
consideration
²items not covered by the new vehicle limited warranty
²items covered by a service contract
²alleged liability claims
Contacting the dispute settlement board
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²property damage where the damage is significant when compared to
the economic loss alleged under the warranty dispute
²cases currently in litigation
²vehicles not used primarily for family, personal or household purposes
(except in states where the Dispute Settlement Board is required to
review commercial vehicles)
²vehicles which are no longer in the customer's possession
Complaints involving vehicles on which applicable new vehicle limited
warranties have expired at receipt of your application are not eligible.
Eligibility may differ according to state law. For example, see the unique
brochures for California and Wisconsin purchasers/lessees.
Board membership
The Board consists of:
²three consumer representatives
²a 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 needs
To 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:
²the file number assigned to your application
²the toll-free phone number of the DSB's independent administrator
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Company representative are asked to
submit statements at this time.
To properly review your case, the Board needs the following information:
²legible copies of all documents and maintenance or repair orders
relevant to the case
²the year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license
²the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of occurrence(s)
The Dispute Settlement Board
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²the current mileage
²the name of the dealer who sold or serviced the vehicle
²a brief description of your unresolved concern
²a brief summary of the action taken by the dealer(s) and Ford Motor
Company
²the names (if known) of all the people you contacted at the
dealership(s)
²a 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 presentations
If 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 Ford Motor Company.
Making a decision
Board members review all available information related to each complaint,
including oral presentations, and arrive at a fair and impartial decision.
Because the Board usually meets only once a month, some cases may
take longer than 30 days to be reviewed. Every effort will be made to
resolve each case within 40 days of receiving the consumer's application
form.
After a case is reviewed, the Board mails you a decision letter and a
form on which to accept or reject the Board's decision. The decisions of
the Board are binding on the dealer, in most states, and Ford, but not on
consumers who are free to pursue other remedies available to them
under state or federal law. Board decisions may be presented as evidence
by any party in subsequent legal proceedings that may be initiated,
where allowed by law.
To Request a DSB Brochure/Application
For a brochure/application, speak to your dealer or write to the Board at
the following address:
Dispute Settlement Board
P.O. Box 5120
Southfield, MI 48086±5120
The Dispute Settlement Board
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You may also contact the Lincoln Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-521-4140 (Ford)
TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952
or by writing to the Center at the following address:
Ford Motor Company
Lincoln Customer Assistance Center
300 Renaissance Center
P.O. Box 43360
Detroit, Michigan 48243
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.
Before exporting your vehicle to a foreign country, contact the
appropriate foreign embassy or consulate. These officials can inform you
of local vehicle registration regulations and where to find unleaded fuel.
If you cannot find unleaded fuel or can only get fuel with an anti-knock
index lower than is recommended for your vehicle, contact a district or
owner relations office before you leave the U.S.
The use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without proper conversion may
damage the effectiveness of your emission control system and may cause
engine knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor Company is not
responsible for any damage caused by using improper fuel.
Using leaded fuel may also result in difficulty importing your vehicle
back into the U.S.
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 or call:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
WORLDWIDE DIRECT MARKET OPERATIONS
1555 Fairlane Drive
Fairlane Business Park #3
Allen Park, Michigan 48101
U.S.A.
Telephone: (313) 594-4857
FAX: (313) 390-0804
Getting help outside the United States
6

If you are in another foreign country, contact the nearest Ford
dealership. If the dealership employees cannot help you, they can direct
you to the nearest 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 (VIN) and
new address with Ford Motor Company Export Operations.
FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Ford has many quality products available from your dealer to clean your
vehicle and protect its finishes. For best results, use the following or
products of equivalent quality:
Ford Custom Clearcoat Polish
Ford Custom Silicone Gloss Polish
Ford Custom Vinyl Protectant
Ford Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner
Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil Remover
Ford Extra Strength Upholstery Cleaner
Ford Metal Surface Cleaner
Ford Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Ford Spot and Stain Remover
Ford Super Premium Tire and Trim Dressing
Ford Triple Clean
Ford Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner
A wide selection of accessories is available through your local authorized
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. These quality accessories have been
specifically engineered to fulfill your automotive needs; they are custom
designed to complement the style and aerodynamic appearance of your
vehicle. In addition, each accessory is made from high quality materials
and meets or exceeds Ford's rigid engineering and safety specifications.
Ford accessories are warranted for up to three years or 60,000 km
(36,000 miles), whichever comes first. See your dealer for complete
warranty information and availability.
Not all accessories are available for all models.
Accessories
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Safety
Remote keyless entry
Styled wheel protector locks
Vehicle security systems
Comfort and convenience
Air conditioner
Air filtration systems
Cargo nets
Cargo organizers
Cargo shades
Cargo trays
Cassette holders
Dash trim
Engine block heaters
Gear shift knob
Luggage presenter (Continental only)
Manual sliding rear window
Tire step
Travel equipment
Console
Console armrest
Daytime running lights
Factory luggage rack
Factory luggage rack adaptors
Fog lights
Framed luggage covers
Heavy-duty battery
Neutral towing transfer case kit (Explorer only)
Off road lights
Pickup box rails
Ford accessories for your vehicle
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Removable luggage rack
Removable luggage rack adaptors
Retractable bed hooks and loops
Running boards
Shift knobs
Snow traction cables
Soft luggage cover
Speed control
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitch
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch wiring adaptor
Trunk mount luggage rack
Protection and appearance equipment
Bed mat/bedliner tailgate covers
Bed mats
Bedliners
Car/truck covers
Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Flat splash guards
Front end covers (full and mini)
Hood/bag deflectors
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Rallye bars
Rear air deflectors
Ford accessories for your vehicle
9

Rear decklid spoilers
Side window air deflectors
Spare tire lock
Step bumpers
Step/sill plates
Tailgate covers
Tailgate lock
Tailgate protector
Tonneau covers
Touch-up paint
Universal floor mats
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
²When 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 or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
²The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the use of
mobile communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones
and theft alarms - 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 service
technician.
²Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or stall. In addition, such systems may be
damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door openers and
other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle's operation.)
²Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage
that may result from the use of such equipment.
Ordering additional publications
10