service LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

This light comes on when the parking brake is
set, or if it is not set, it comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition to the START position. It
normally goes off shortly after the engine starts
and you release the parking brake. If the light
stays on after you have fully released the
parking brake, have the hydraulic brake system
serviced by your dealer or a qualified service
technician./!\WARNINGThe BRAKE light indicates that the brakesmay not be working properly. Have thebrakes checked immediately.Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition key to the START position. It
should go off shortly after the engine starts. If it
stays on longer than five (5) seconds, it indicates
that your anti-lock brake system may not be
working properly. Normal braking is not affected
unless the BRAKE system warning light also
remains on for longer than six (6) seconds. You
should have your vehicle serviced immediately by
your dealer or qualified service technician to restore
the benefits of the anti-lock feature. See Anti-lock
brakes in the Index for more information.
53

Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This 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.
54If 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,
see the Engine Oil in 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, see Adding
engine oil in the Servicing Your Vehicle chapter.

This light comes on every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine
offl. The light should go off when the engine
starts and the alternator begins to charge.
If the light stays on or comes on when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
When 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 car. If the turn signal
continues to flash after you have made the turn,
push the lever back to the OFF position.
56If 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 Light
The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic 11
(OBD 11) system consists of the hardware
and software necessary to monitor the
operation of the powertrain. The OBD 11
system is designed to check the function
of the vehicle's powertrain control system
during normal operation. If an emission
problem is detected, the Service Engine
Soon light (in the cluster) is turned on.

Modification or additions to the vehicle may
cause incorrect operation of the OBD 11
system. Additions such as burglar alarms,
cellular phones, and CB radios must be
carefully installed. Do not install these
devices by tapping into or running wires close
to powertrain control system wires or
components.SERVICEENGINESOONThe light comes on briefly when you turn the ignition
to the ON position, but should turn off when the
engine starts. If the light does not come on when you
turn the ignition to the ON position or if it comes on
and stays on when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced as soon as conveniently possible.This indicates a possible problem with one of the
vehicle's emission control systems. You do not
need to have your vehicle towed in.
If the light turns on and off at one second intervals
while you are driving the vehicle, it means that the
engine is misfiring. If this condition persists,
damage could occur to the engine or catalytic
convertor. Have your vehicle serviced at the first
opportunity.
If the light turns on and off on rare occasions
while you are driving, it means that a malfunction
occurred and the condition corrected itself.
An example of a condition which corrects itself
occurs when an engine running out of fuel begins
to misfire. In this case, the Service Engine Soon
Light may turn on and will then set a diagnostic
trouble code indicating that the engine was
misfiring while the last of the fuel was being
consumed. After refueling, the Service Engine
Soon Light wfll turn off after the vehicle has
completed three consecutive warm up cycles
without a misfire
57

condition occurring. A warm up cycle consists
of engine start from a cold condition (engine at
ambient temperature) and running until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature.
On the fourth engine start up, the Service
Engine Soon light will turn off as soon as the
engine begins to crank. It is not necessary to
have the engine serviced.
Under certain conditions, the Service Engine
Soon Light may come on if the fuel cap is not
properly installed. If the Service Engine Soon
Light comes on and you suspect that the fuel
cap is not properly installed, pull off the road as
soon as it is safely possible and turn off the
engine. Remove and replace the cap, making
sure it is properly seated.
After completing the three consecutive warm
up cycles and on the fourth engine start up, the
Service Engine Soon Warning Light should
turn off. If the light does not go off after the
fourth engine re-start, have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a qualified
technician.
58High Beam LightThis light comes on when the headlamps are turned
to high beam or when you flash the lights.
Chime for Headlamps On
This chime sounds if the driver or any passenger
door is open when the parking lamps or headlamps
are on. The chime sounds until you close the door,
turn off the lamps or turn the ignition to the ON
position.

Air Bag Readiness Light
The air bag system uses a readiness light and
a tone to indicate the condition of the system.
The readiness light is in the instrument
cluster. When you turn the ignition key to the
ON position, this light will light up for six (6)
seconds and then turn off. This indicates that
the system is operating normally. NOTE:
Regularly scheduled maintenance of the air
bag system is not required.AIRBAGIf the light fails to Ruminate, 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.ANTI-THEFTSee Anti-Theft System in the Features chapter for
more information.
59

If the FUEL LEVEL ERROR message is
displayed this means that there is a problem
with the fuel indication system and you should
contact your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
RESET
A press of the RESET button will allow you to
reset the current feature displayed. Warnings,
Average Fuel Economy, and Trip odometers
are the only features which respond to the
RESET button. Distance to Empty (DTE),
RIDE/STEER and MENU are unaffected by
pressing the RESET switch.
DISPLAY
Pressing this button will cause the message
center display to turn off. Pressing it again will
cause the display to come on again. Warnings
override an off display and must be reset in
order for the display to be off again.
64RIDE/STEER
Pressing this button once will allow you to
adjust your RIDE CONTROL settings, between
NORMAL, PLUSH and FIRM. The settings are
changed by pressing the SELECT button while
RIDE CONTROL is displayed.
Pressing the RIDE/STEER button a second time
will allow you to adjust the STEERING
EFFORT settings between NORMAL, LOW,
and HIGH. The settings are changed by
pressing the SELECT button while STEERING
EFFORT is displayed.
NOTE: The combination of FIRM RIDE
CONTROL and LOW STEERING EFFORT is
undesirable and cannot be selected.
MENU
Pressing this button will allow You to change
various convenience settings throughout the
vehicle. The settings for each feature are
changed by pressing the SELECT button-

Pressing the MENU button once will allow you
to enable or disable the EXPRESS WINDOW
feature. This feature allows one tap down
operation on the driver's window using the
window switch on the driver's door armrest.
Pressing MENU again will allow you to enable
or disable the AUTO DOOR LOCK feature.
This feature automatically locks all doors when
the driver shifts out of PARK, all doors are
closed, the driver's seat is occupied, and the
vehicle is traveling over three mph (5 km/h).
Pressing MENU again will allow you to
enable or disable the HORN CHIRP feature.
When HORN CHIRP is ON the horn will
briefly sound when the Remote Entry Key
Fob LOCK button is pressed. This verifies
the doors have been locked and the ANTI-
THEFT system has been armed (if equipped).
Pressing MENU again will allow you to
enable or disable the SEAT ACCESS feature.
When ON, the driver's seat will move back 2
inches (5 cm) or toend of seat track travel when the vehicle is
turned off and the ignition key is removed.
Upon the driver entering the vehicle and
closing the door, the seat will move
forward to its previous position.
Pressing MENU again will allow you to enable or
disable the REVERSE MIRRORS feature. When
ON, the outside rearview mirrors tilt down when
the gearshift is placed in R (Reverse). This
provides for an improved view of the side of the
vehicle and curb area when backing up. When
you shift out of REVERSE the mirrors return to
their previous positions.
Odometer
The odometer tells you the total number of miles
(kilometers) your vehicle has been driven.
If the odometer displays the word Error, please
contact your dealer for service.
65

4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, see the Engine Coolant in
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 Gauge
The 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
(I I liters) for the fuel gauge to indicate the
new level. If the ignition is left ON or less than
3 gallons (I 1 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.Overhead Console Warnings
If your Continental is equipped with the Pressure
Alert System, a warning will appear in the overhead
console when the pressure in one of your vehicle's
tires drops below acceptable levels or if the system
has malfunctioned.LOW TIREPRESSURESee Securities in the Features chapter for more
information.
67

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.