LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Driving While You Tow
Be especially careful when driving while you tow a
trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h)
when you tow in hilly country on hot days. Also,
anticipate stops so that you can brake gradually.
Towing a trailer increases the load on the engine and
transaxle, particularly in hilly country and with
heavier trailers. Under these conditions you may
experience an excessive amount of shifting between
Overdrive and Third gears. Moving the shift selector
to D (Overdrive Lockout) will keep this from
happening and will provide better engine braking.
When driving in less hilly country or with a lighter
trailer load. you may move the gearshift selector
lever to (Overdrive) without experiencing
excessive shifting.
198When driving down steep hills, you should put
the gearshift selector lever in the I (First)
position to shift the transaxle into second gear.
This will provide additional engine braking.
The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear for driving up a
grade.
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. See the Maintenance Schedule and
Record booklet.

Roadside EmergenciesJump-Starting Your Vehicle
Your vehicle's battery may die if you leave the lights
on or any electrical equipment on after you turn the
engine off. If this happens, you may be able to
jump-start from a booster battery to start your
vehicle./! WARNINGThe gases around the battery can explode ifexposed to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes.An explosion could result in injury or vehicledamage./! WARNINGTo protect yourself when charging a battery,always shield your face and eyes. Make surethat you can breathe fresh air./! WARNINGApplying too much pressure on the ends whenlifting a battery could cause acid to spill. Liftthe battery with a carrier or with your handson the opposite comers.199

/! WARNINGBatteries contain sulfuric acid which bumsskin, eyes, and clothing.If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15
minutes. If someone swallows the acid, have him or
her drink lots of milk or water first, then Milk of
Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable oil. Call a
doctor immediately.
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and
to avoid injury to yourself, follow these directions
for preparing your vehicle to jump-start and
connecting the jumper cables in the order they are
given. If in doubt, call for road service.
200Preparing Your Vehicle
1 .Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system. You
will damage your starting motor, ignition system,
and other electrical parts if you connect them to a
24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt
batteries in series,or a 24-volt generator set).
2.Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
3.Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the
disabled vehicle. Make sure the vehicles do not
touch each other. Set the parking brake on both
vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan
and other moving parts.
4.Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the jumper
cables.

5.Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. Press the
DEFROST button. Turn off all other switches
and gauges.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
(You can connect either jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal, as long as you use the
same cable for both positive terminals.) Most
jumper cables have a red cable and a black cable.
The red cable is generally used for the positive
terminals and the black for the negative ones.
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the booster battery NOT
to the discharged battery.
4. Connect the other end of the second cable to a
good metallic surface on the engine or frame of
the disabled vehicle./! WARNINGDo not connect the end of the second cable tothe negative (-) terminal of the battery to bejumped. A spark may cause an explosion ofthe gases that surround the battery.201

Alternator mounting brace stud jumper cable
The engine with jumper cables
202 Booster battery

Jump-Starting
1.Make sure that the jumper cables are not in the
way of moving engine parts, then start the
booster vehicle. Run the engine at a moderate
speed.
2.Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle. It
may take a couple of tries before the vehicle
starts. If the vehicle does not start after several
attempts, there may be a different problem.
3.When both vehicles are running, let them idle
for a few minutes to charge the discharged
battery.
Removing jumper cables
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order. Remove the negative (-) end of
the jumper cable from the metallic surface on
the engine or frame of the disabled vehicle.2.Remove the negative (-) cable from the booster
battery.
3.Remove the positive (+) cable from the booster
battery.
4.Remove the other end of the positive (+) cable
from the discharged battery.
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while to let
the engine "relearn" its idle conditions. Drive it
around for a while with all electrical accessories
turned off to let the battery recharge. You may need
to use a battery charger to fully recharge the
battery.
If you need to replace your battery, see Battery in the
Servicing Your Vehicle chapter.
203

Changing a Tire
if you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not
apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease
the speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and
slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set the
parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers.
The Temporary Spare Tire
You may have a high pressure temporary spare tire.
This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only. Use it only when
you get a flat tire and replace it as soon as you can.
This spare tire is marked with the words
"TEMPORARY USE ONLY" so that you can easily
identify it.
204/! WARNINGIf you use the temporary spare tirecontinuously or do not follow theseprecautions, the tire could fail, causing you tolose control of the vehicle, possibly injuringyourself or others.When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT: exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances. load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the
maximum vehicle load rating listed on the tire
decal. tow a trailer. try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it
from its wheel. use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.

drive through an automatic car wash with this
tire. Because the temporary spare tire is smaller
than a conventional tire, it reduces the ground
clearance. Your vehicle may get caught in the rails
and it could be damaged.
Spare Tire Location
The spare tire is stored under the carpet on the floor
of the trunk.
You will find additional instructions for the spare
tire on the warning label located on the wheel and
the jacking instructions located on the spare tire
cover.Washer Spare tire Wing nut Spring Jack bolt hook Cover Wheel nut wrenchThe spare tire location
205

To remove the spare tire:
1.Remove the spare tire cover.
2.Unscrew the wing-nut holding down the spare
tire.
3. Lift out the spare tire and jack kit.
Preparing to Change the Tire
1.Make sure that your vehicle will not move or
roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing./! WARNINGIf the vehicle slips off the jack, you orsomeone else could be seriously injured.Turn off the air suspension switch prior to jacking.
206/! WARNINGOn vehicles equipped with Air Suspension,turn OFF the Air Suspension switch prior tojacking, hoisting or towing your vehicle.Air suspension switchThe air suspension switch - located in the trunk

2. Get out the spare tire and jack./! WARNINGTo avoid injury, never run the engine withone wheel off the ground, such as whenchanging a tire.3. Remove the center ornament from the aluminum
wheel with the tapered end of the wheel nut
wrench which came with your vehicle. Insert
and twist the handle, then pry against the wheel.
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them until
the tire is raised off the ground. You should pull
up on the handle rather than push to develop
maximum force to loosen wheel lug nuts. See
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts later in this chapter
for information on removing anti-theft lug nuts.Removing and Replacing the Tire
I -Place the scissors-type jack under the side of the
vehicle and adjust the jack height with the jack
handle. The jack should fit in the notch in the
vertical rocker panel flange which is nearest to
the wheel to be changed./! WARNINGTo lessen the risk of personal injury, do notput any part of your body under the vehiclewhile changing a tire. Do not start the enginewhen your vehicle is on the jack. The jack isonly meant for changing the tire.207