brakes LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

/!\ WARNINGDo not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55km/h). The tires may fail and injure apassenger or bystander.By moving the vehicle backward and forward, you
may gain enough momentum to move out of the
spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few
minutes. This may overheat the engine, damage the
transaxle, or damage the tires. If you are still stuck
after a minute or two of rocking, call for a tow truck.
High water
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are
sure that the water is below the bottom of the wheel
rims.
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly.
You may have limited traction or wet brakes, so
allow extra stopping distance because your vehicle
will not stop as quickly as usual.
192After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
Driving With a Heavy Load
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also,
the weight that your vehicle carries over the
front axle and rear axle should never be more
than the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
for the respective axle.
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and
GAWR on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the left front door lock facing or on
the door latch post pillar.

To connect the trailer's safety chains:
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
attach them to your vehicle's frame or hook
retainers. Never attach the safety chains to your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the weight of a trailer.
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in the
chains to allow you to turn corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that
the rental agency gives you.
Connecting the trailer's brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or surge-type
hydraulic brakes are safe if you install them properly
and adjust them according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Be sure that your trailer's brakes meet
local and federal regulations.
Separate trailer brakes of adequate size should be
used for trailers weighing over 1.000 lbs. (454 kg)
loaded weight./!\ WARNINGDo not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to your vehicle'sbrake system. Your vehicle may nothave enough braking power and yourchances of having a collision greatlyincrease.Connecting the trailer's lights
Do not connect a trailer's fighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's fighting
system wiring. To get the proper equipment
for hooking up your trailer's lights, see your
local trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be
sure to follow their instructions carefully.
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's hghting
system.
197

Brake Fluid
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should
not use up brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the
level of the brake fluid to slowly fall as you put
more mileage on your vehicle and the brake lining
wears.
You should check the brake fluid at every scheduled
engine oil change, but be sure to check it at least
once a year. You can do this by looking at the fluid
level in the plastic reservoir on the master cylinder.
(See The Engine Type in this chapter to locate the
master cylinder.) The fluid level should be at or near
the MAX mark./!\ WARNINGBrake fluid is toxic.If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running
water for 15 minutes. Get medical attention ifirritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and
induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately.
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove the cap
from the reservoir. Fill the reservoir to the MAX
line with Ford High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid
C6AZ-19542-AA, C6AZ-19542-BA, or equivalent
DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-
M6C25-A./!\ WARNINGIf you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, youwill cause permanent damage to your brakes.Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low
below the seam or ridge on the outside of the plastic
reservoir - have the brake system inspected.
263

/!\ WARNINGDo not let the reservoir for the mastercylinder run dry. This may cause the brakesto fail.The brake fluid reservoir
264Power Steering Fluid
Check the level of the power steering fluid at least
twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
1. Start the engine and let it run until the power
steering fluid reaches normal operating
temperature. The power steering fluid will be at
the right temperature when the engine coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is
near the center of the NORMAL operating
temperature range.
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
back and forth several times. Make sure that the
cap assembly is installed at this time.

Battery Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean and covered with a light
coat of grease. If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is
maintained for quick starting. NOTE: If battery
cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to
reset any memory features (eg. radio presets).
Brakes Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
292Tires Maintain recommended air pressures.
Miscellaneous Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and
clevis pins under vehicle are covered with grease to
prevent rust. Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.

Anti-theft system........................................ B..............................
arming the system............................109Backing up.............................................182
description.......................................108Basic vehicle warranty................................5
disarming an untriggered system......110Battery.........................................................
disarming a triggered system............111acid, treating emergencies..................200
triggering.........................................111battery saver......................................108
warning light......................................59charging system warning light..............55
Assistance (see Customer assistance)....213disconnecting.....................................253
Audio system.............................................how to service....................................252
(see Electronic sound system)............159jumping a disabled battery..................199
Automatic transaxle....................................maintenance-free................................252
fluid, adding.....................................262proper disposal, recycling...................253
fluid, checking.................................261replacement, specifications.................288
fluid, refill capacities........................287when storing your vehicle...................292
fluid, specification............................289Brake fluid
..............................................................brake warning light...............................52
..............................................................checking and adding...........................263
..............................................................description.........................................263
..............................................................specifications......................................289
..............................................................Brakes..........................................................
..............................................................adjustment..............................................187
..............................................................anti-lock.............................................187
308

applying the brakes.........................187
brake warning light...........................52
fluid, checking and adding..............263
fluid, refill capacities.......................287
fluid, specifications.........................289
new brake linings................................6
noise...............................................188
parking...........................................188
trailer.............................................197
when storing your vehicle...............292
Brake-shift interlock.............................180
Break-in period........................................6
Bulbs, replacing....................................277
headlamps........................................278
C
Canada, customer assistance.................219
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).......................................220
Capacities for refilling fluids.................287
Carbon monoxide in exhaust...................49
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats).........................27Catalytic converter284
CD player (see Electronic sound system) . 169
Chains, tires260
Changing a tire204
Charging system warning light 55
Childproof locks 99
Child safety restraints 25
child safety belts 38
child safety seats 27
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps 38
tether anchorage hardware 38
Chime
headlamps on 58
key in ignition 42
safety belt 52
Cleaning your vehicle
chrome and aluminum parts 8
exterior 7
exterior lamps 83
fabric118
headlamps 83
309

Storage compartments
center console..................................133
map pockets....................................134
Storing your vehicle.............................290
Sun visor..............................................128
Supplemental air bag readiness light.......59
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)....17
T
Tachometer...........................................66
Tail lamps, cleaning...............................83
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints)...........................38
Tilt steering wheel.................................94
Tires
changing...........................................204
checking the pressure.................255,256
cleaning............................................260
replacing...........................................257
rotating.............................................256
snow tires and chains........................260storing your vehicle.......................292
tire grades.....................................258
treadwear...............................257,259
wear bands....................................257
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing).....194
Towing your vehicle.............................211
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer weight..194
safety chains.....................................196
tips...................................................198
trailer brakes....................................197
trailer lamps.....................................197
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . .................................261
fluid, refill capacities........................287
lubricant specifications.....................289
Trunk, using the remote entry
system to open...................................106
319