ECU LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

when appropriate, stay in direct phone contact
with you until emergency help arrives notify pre-designated family contacts or friends
of the emergency situation, if requested, or if no
response is received from the vehicle.
NOTE: If You are certain of your location, a direct
phone call to 911 or other emergency services may
provide a faster response.
Activation and Deactivation
When either of the two Lincoln RESCU buttons is
pressed, a warning light, located in the overhead
console, will begin to flash and status messages will
be displayed on the vehicle's message center,
confirming an assistance request has been made.
The warning light will continue to flash throughout
the activation.The RESCU Warning light
The system can be activated whenever your
ignition key is in the RUN/START Position and
for two Minutes after your vehicle is turned off.
In most situations, the assistance request can
ONLY be terminated and the system reset when
a special tone is sent to the vehicle by the
Lincoln Security Response Center. (See
Automatic Redial later in this chapter for
exceptions.) Operation will continue even if the
vehicle is turned off during an activation
(although visual feedback via the Message
Center will not be available in this situation).
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Cellular Phone Interface
During an activation, Lincoln RESCU takes control
of the vehicle's cellular phone. If the phone is in
use, THE CALL WILL BE TERMINATED and the
Lincoln Security Response Center will automatically
be dialed. The cellular handset becomes inoperative
and all voice communication with the operator is
accomplished via the cellular phone's "hands-free"
microphone.
NOTE: When an activation is terminated, your
phone is left unlocked, in the "ON" state and may
not return to its previous system selection setting. It
can be reprogrammed to your previous setting as
desired.
Message Center Interface
During an activation, Lincoln RESCU
communicates with the vehicle's Message Center.
Status messages describing the sequence of steps
being executed are displayed, allowing you to
visually follow the activation process. The
following messages are
150typical of those displayed during an assistance
request. They are shown in the order in which
they would appear: ROADSIDE REQUEST or EMERGNCY
REQUEST CALL IN PROGRESS RINGING RESPONSE CENTER SENDING LOCATION DATA DATA RECEIVED WAITING FOR OPERATOR
Once an assistance request is made, it will
typically take less than one minute until contact
is made with an operator. During voice
communication the following messages will
alternately toggle on the display: CID XXXXXXXXXX LAT XXXXXXXXXX

LON HDG XX
These messages respectively are the customer
identification number, vehicle latitude, vehicle
longitude and heading. Under special
circumstances, the operator may ask you to read the
information being displayed on the Message Center.
If vehicle messages are being displayed on the
Message Center (low washer fluid, low oil, door
ajar, etc.), they must be cleared in order to view the
LINCOLN RESCU messages. To clear the vehicle
messages, press the Message Center RESET button,
which is located to the right of the display.
Continue pressing the button until all vehicle
messages are cleared.
Automatic Redial
As described previously, when an assistance request
is made, the vehicle's cellular phone automatically
dials the Lincoln Security Response Center's central
computer and attempts to send an electronic datamessage. Occasionally, it can be difficult for the
computer to recognize the message if the
cellular connection is weak or noisy. If the
transmission of the message is unsuccessful, the
data call will be terminated and the message
"REDIAL IN PROGRESS" will be displayed on
the Message Center. A second call will
automatically be placed which bypasses the
response center's computer and is forwarded
directly to an operator.
Similarly, if the cellular call is disconnected by the
network prior to receipt of the termination tone,
another call to the response center will also
automatically be dialed. The message "REDIAL
IN PROGRESS" will be displayed on the Message
Center and voice communication with an operator
will be restored.
NOTE: During redial calls, full control of the
cellular phone is returned to you. Pressing
either the "PWR" or "END" button on the
cellular handset will terminate the assistance
request and reset the system.
151

Location Data Retransmit Capability
During an activation, the Lincoln Security Response
Center operator has the capability to initiate a
retransmission of the electronic data message. This
may be necessary to ensure a more precise
determination of vehicle location or to track a
vehicle that is moving. To accomplish the
retransmit, a special tone is sent to the vehicle by the
response center. In this situation you will
temporarily lose voice contact with the operator and
the messages "SENDING LOCATION DATA" and
"DATA RECEIVED" will respectively be displayed
on the Message Center. After the data
retransmission is complete, voice communication
will be restored and the CID, LAT, LON and HDG
message will again alternately toggle on the
Message Center display.
152Global Positioning System
Vehicle location is continuously updated via
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
GPS was developed by the U.S. Department of
Defense for worldwide navigational and
positioning purposes. It utilizes a constellation
of 24 orbiting satellites located more than 20
thousand kilometers above the earth. At any
given time, several of the 24 satellites should be
visible to the vehicle's GPS receiver. Based on
the time for signals emitted by these satellites to
reach the receiver, an on-board computer will
determine the vehicle's location, typically within
100 feet. In addition to latitude and longitude,
the system also determines heading and speed.
Vehicle positioning information is relayed to the
Lincoln Security Response Center ONLY
during roadside or emergency requests. The
response center will not be able to track your
location while in an inactive state.

Lincoln RESCU System Limitations
Service restricted to 48 contiguous states
Your Lincoln RESCU System can be activated
anywhere within the 48 contiguous states. If an
activation occurs outside of this region, the Lincoln
Security Response Center will not be able to assist
you.
Inoperative if cellular phone inactive or
inoperative
Lincoln RESCU utilizes your vehicle's cellular
phone and will not operate if cellular service has not
been activated or if the phone is inoperative.
Inoperative if battery discharged or disconnected
Lincoln RESCU is powered by the vehicle's battery
and will not operate if the battery is discharged or
disconnected.Potentially inoperative if vehicle involved in
accident
If the vehicle is involved in an accident, some
components could be damaged, rendering your
Lincoln RESCU System inoperative.
Positioning capability degraded if satellite
signals obstructed
Vehicle positioning is accomplished by receiving and
interpreting signals transmitted by satellites. If the
signals are obstructed, positioning capability could
be degraded or lost. This situation will be most
prevalent in urban areas populated with tall
buildings. Tunnels, underpasses, parking garages,
trees, and similar structures could also adversely
affect positioning performance. Under these
conditions, the system will operate but the response
center could have difficulty identifying your current
location. (The last valid position obtained before the
obstruction is retained, however, and will be sent.)
The operator may depend on you to provide verbal
information regarding vehicle location.
153

Potential limitations if activated outside home
cellular region
At the time you receive your vehicle (or shortly
after), you will need to select a cellular carrier and
activate your phone. If desired, carrier selection can
be arranged through your dealer. This carrier is
usually local to your region and will handle call
processing and billing services for your cellular
telephone. In order to use your phone when
traveling outside your home cellular region, the
services of the carriers local to the new area will be
required. If your home carrier does not have an
agreement with the new local carrier, your phone
calls could be forwarded to an operator and you
may be required to provide a credit card number
before your call is processed. If an activation occurs
call in this situation, the initial call will be terminated
and a second call which bvpasses the response
center’s computer will be placed. UNLIKE
DURING THE FIRST CALL ATTEMPT, YOUR
CELLULAR HANDSET WILL NOT BE
LOCKED DURING THE SECOND CALL, SO
YOU WILL HAVE THE
156OPTION OF TERMINATING THE ASSISTANCE
REQUEST AT ANY TIME BY PUSHING EITHER
THE “PWR" OR THE “END” BUTTON ON THE
CELLULAR HANDSET. If the second call is not
terminated, it will be forwarded to a local cellular
carrier operator. In this situation, you can provide
the operator. with the number you are dialing
(Lincoln Security Response Center at 1-800-334-
1327) and your credit card number or ask to be
connected to the local 911 or other emergency
services.
Registration Requirement
You are required to register with the Lincoln
Security Response Center shortly after receiving your
vehicle. The registration process is simple and can be
accomplished by calling the Lincoln Security Center
at 1,800-334-1327. Alternatively, the registration
process can be completed on-line during an
acquaintance period activation. (See “Acquaintance
Activations” later in the section for details.) The
information requested will aid in servicing you more
efficiently during the assistance request.

Optional Password Selection/False
Activations
At the time of your registration, you will be given
the option of establishing a user password. All
aspects of your service will be identical regardless of
your password decision except the way false
emergency activations are handled.
If established, the password will be requested by the
operator to confirm an emergency activation was
initiated in error. If no password or an incorrect
password is given, the response center's operator
will seemingly terminate the call but actually stays
on the line and sends police to the last calculated
vehicle location (this could be useful in duress
situations). It is very important that you remember
your password to prevent false dispatches.
Similarly, it is also important to provide the
password to any other individuals who will be
driving the vehicle or who may have need to activate
the system.
If you decide not to establish a password, simply
indicate to the operator that the emergencyassistance request was initiated in error and the
call will be terminated.
In either case, if an activation (roadside or
emergency) occurs and the operator cannot
establish voice communication, police assistance
will be dispatched to the vehicle.
NOTE: Information regarding changing or
retrieving lost passwords can be obtained by
contacting the Lincoln Security Response
Center at 1-800-334-1327.
Acquaintance Activations
It is required that you initiate an acquaintance
activation shortly after receiving your vehicle and
having your phone activated. An acquaintance
activation is initiated by pressing either the roadside
or emergency assistance button. When voice
communication is established with the Lincoln
Security Response Center, indicate that you are a
new user and the operator will follow special
acquaintance period support procedures which are
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intended to familiarize you with your Lincoln
RESCU system. As described previously, the
acquaintance call can also be used to complete the
registration for new customers.
Service Charges
For four years, beginning with your vehicle's
warranty period, you will be entitled to unlimited
activations without facing service charges. (These
activations should be made only when emergency or
roadside assistance is required.) You will be
responsible, however, for any charges imposed by
your cellular phone carrier for the 1-800 phone call
to the Lincoln Security Response Center. After
your initial service period expires, you may be
required to pay a monitoring service fee. Your
dealer can provide you with specific information
regarding post initial service period fees.
158Relinquishing your vehicle
At the time you relinquish your vehicle, it is
important that you contact the Lincoln Security
Response Center at 1-800-334-1327 and cancel
your security service. Personal information
provided to the response center at the time of
your registration will be removed from the
vehicle's file.

Using a column-mounted gearshift
If your gearshift is on the column, you can use
any of the following positions:Park neutral reverst overdrive drive first
The positions of the column-mounted gearshiftOnce you place the gearshift securely into
position, gradually release the brake pedal and use
the accelerator as necessary.
181

Using a console-mounted gearshift
(If equipped)
Thumb button Park Reverse Neutral Drive FirstThe console-mounted gearshift
182The console-mounted gearshift thumb button and
brake pedal must be depressed to move the
gearshift lever out of P (Park). The thumb button
pops out automatically when the gearshift latches
into position. Once the gearshift is secure,
gradually release the brake pedal and use the
accelerator as necessary.
Gear Selection (Column- and
Console-Mounted Control)
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position, the
vehicle will move backward. You should always
come to a complete stop before shifting into or out
of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position, the
vehicle can be started and is free to roll. Hold the
brake pedal down while in this position.