instrument panel LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Do not put objects under the front seats that
interfere with the flow of air to the back seat
area. Remove any snow, ice, or leaves from the air
intake area of your EATC System which
could block the air intake. The intake area is
located at the bottom of the windshield, under
the hood at the passenger side rear corner.
Service
If your EATC is not operating as described here,
take it to your dealer to have it checked. System
diagnostics are built in which will allow your
dealer to readily identify problems that might
occur.
80Rear Window Defroster and
Heated Sideview Mirrors
The rear window and heated outside mirrors
defroster switch activates the defroster for the
rear window to clear frost, fog, or thin ice from
both the inside and outside of the rear window
and activates the heated outside rearview
mirrors.
The button for the rear window and heated
outside mirrors defroster is on the instrument
panel to the right of the steering column.

Cleaning the Exterior Lamps
Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or
abrasive cleaners to clean the lamps, as these
may cause scratches or crack the lamps.
Setting the Autolamp On/Off Delay System
By using the autolamp, you can set the
headlamps to: turn on the lamps automatically at night turn off the lamps automatically during
daylight keep the lamps on for up to three minutes
after you turn the key to OFF.Autolamp switch
The autolamp sitch on the left side of
the instrument panel
To use the autolamp:
1. Make sure the headlamp knob is in
the OFF position. If the knob for the
headlamps is ON, you cancel the
autolamp.
83

If the autolamp is active, the headlamp system
will come on immediately after starting your
vehicle. If your vehicle is running before you
activate the autolamp, there may be a 15 second
delay before the headlights illuminate.
2.Turn the ignition key to ON or start your
vehicle.
3.Find the autolamp switch to the left of the
steering wheel on the instrument panel.
4. Push the autolamp switch up toward the
MAX position. As you press this switch, the
autolamp system's status will be displayed in
the message center. The system can be
turned OFF or can be set to provide light for
up to three (3) minutes after you turn your
vehicle off.
84Do not put any articles on top of the photocell
that is located in the top left corner of the
instrument panel. This photocell controls the
autolamp. If you cover it, the photocell reacts
as if it is nighttime, and the lamps turn on.
To turn the autolamp off, push the switch down
until the message center display reaches OFF.
Turning On Interior
Lights/Instrument Panel Illumination
You can brighten or dim the lights in the
instrument panel and the compass display
in the inside rearview mirror (if
equipped) with the PANEL DIM switch
located on the instrument panel.

Panel dim switch
The switch that controls interior lamps and
instrument panel brightness
To turn on the interior lights, hold the Panel Dim
switch up until the interior lights turn on. To
turn off the interior lights, push the Panel Dim
switch down. The interior lights also come on
when any door is opened or if either front door
outside handle is lifted with the door locked.Turning On the Map Lamps
Your vehicle has a map lamp for the passenger and
one for the driver.TTThe map lamps on vehicles equipped with a
moon roof
85

Map lamp Dome lamp ON/OFF Switches
The map lamps on the inside roof of the car
To turn on the map lamps, push the switches in
front of each lamp.
On vehicles equipped with the moon roof
Option, the map lamps and switches are located
on the inside rearview mirror.
86Rear Courtesy/Reading Lamps
Your vehicle has two rear passenger
courtesy/reading lamps.
The courtesy lamp lights when any door is
opened or when the instrument panel
dimmer switch is turned to the courtesy
lamp position or if either front door outside
handle is lifted with the door locked.
With the ignition key in the ACC or ON
position, the reading lamp can be turned on
by using the rocker switch on the lamp
assembly.

Memory Profile System
The Personality Memory Feature customizes your
Continental for up to two (2) drivers. The
following features are automatically recalled when
unlocking the doors using the remote entry
transmitter, keyless entry keypad, or by pressing
the Memory 1 or Memory 2 switches on the
driver's door: All driver's seat positions except power lumbar
and head restraint. Both left and right outside mirror settings. Radio station presets including the last selected
station and band and 0 preset preferences on
FMI, FM2, and AM. Instrument panel dimming setting. Autolamp delay time-out setting. Ride/Steering menu setting. Feature Menu settingsThe Ride/Steering menu is located in the
Message Center. The RIDE display allows you
to adjust the suspension feel to FIRM,
NORMAL, or PLUSH.
Pressing the Ride/Steering menu switch again
brings the STEERING display. This allows you
to adjust steering effort to LOW, NORMAL, or
HIGH.
For more information on ride/steering options,
see Road Calibrated Suspension later in this
chapter.
Personality Memory also allows you to
customize settings from the Feature menu
located in the Message Center. The Feature
menu contains five (5) features that you can
enable or disable. The features are listed in the
order they appear in the Feature menu. EXPRESS WINDOW - for one tap down
operation of the driver's window.
119

Removing the floor mat
Lift floor mat just forward of retention post and
rotate rearward to disengage from retention post.
The Electronic Compass
(If equipped)The electronic compassThe compass is mounted to the inside rear view
mirror. The display is in the upper right hand
comer of the mirror glass.
The display will show one of the following
directions: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, and NW.
The brightness of the compass display is
controlled by the instrument panel dimming
switch.
Factors Affecting Compass Accuracy
Some things which can affect compass accuracy
are large buildings, bridges, power lines, and
powerful antennas. Keep radar detectors and
other magnetically mounted devices as far away
from the compass as possible. Sometimes after-
market and dealer-installed moon roofs can
affect the accuracy of the compass. Using
automatic car washes can cause minor
inaccuracies in the compass.
NOTE: Usually, when something affects the
compass readings, the compass will correct itself
after a few days of operating your vehicle in normal
conditions. If the compass is still giving inaccurate
139

NOTE: If you are driving down a long or steep hill,
shift to a lower gear and do not apply your brakes
continuously. If you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less effective.
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake system
and is normal. However, if the squeal becomes
louder or more frequent, have your brakes inspected
by your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Ford Motor Company has not found any detrimental
effects of popular mobile radio transmitting
equipment installed on vehicles with the anti-lock
brake system, if the equipment is installed according
to the manufacturer's instructions. However, if
mobile radio transmitting
188equipment is installed in your vehicle and, if
either the anti-lock brake system cycles or the
ANTI-LOCK light comes on at any time other
than right after you turn the key to the ON
position or during a sudden stop, have your
mobile radio dealer inspect the installation.
Parking Brake
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
The parking brake is suspended just below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel.
To set the parking brake while parking your
vehicle, apply the brake pedal with your right
foot and hold it while you push the parking
brake down firmly and fully with your left foot.

You have an automatic release for the parking brake.
The parking brake should automatically unlock when
you move the gearshift to any forward gear while the
engine is running. However, the automatic release
does not work when the gearshift is in reverse,
neutral or park.
To manually release the parking brake, pull the
BRAKE RELEASE handle located on the lower left
comer of the instrument panel. The Brake Warning
Light will illuminate if the parking brake is not fully
released when the engine is running.
The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving
vehicle, but you can use the parking brake to stop
your vehicle in an emergency if the normal brakes
fail. However, since the parking brake applies only
the rear brakes, the stopping distance will increase
greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be
adversely affected.
190Always check the Brake Warning light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
Driving Under Special Conditions
Tips for Safe Driving
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.

3.Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on:
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure that
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
2.Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly./! WARNINGDo not start your engine with the aircleaner removed and do not remove it whilethe engine is running./! WARNINGThe cooling fan is automatic and may comeon at any time. Always disconnect thenegative terminal of the battery beforeworking near the fan.234If the battery is disconnected' the computer must
releam its idle control. See Battery in the Index.
NOTE: The engine compartment light may be
switched on or off at the light assembly. The light
assembly is located on the hood on the driver's side.
To turn the light on, pull the switch toward you; to
turn it off, push it away from you. The switch may
remain in the on position at all times, as the light will
turn off when the hood is closed.
Opening the Hood
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release handle
located under the bottom left comer of the
instrument panel.