maintenance LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford
replacement parts. If other than Ford or
Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for the service of components
affecting emission control, such non-Ford parts
should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It is
the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information./!\ WARNINGDo not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in drygrass or other dry ground cover. Theemission system heats up the enginecompartment and exhaust system, which canstart a fire.Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the checkengine light, or the temperature warning light. These
sometimes indicate that the emission system is not
working properly.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more unburned
fuel to reach the exhaust system can increase the
temperature of the engine or exhaust system.
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of
vehicles is not permitted to intentionally remove an
emission control device or prevent it from working.
In some of the United States and in Canada, vehicle
owners may be liable if their emission control device
is removed or is prevented from working.
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on for
more than five seconds after you shut it off or if it
misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
285

Information about your vehicle's emission control
system is on the Vehicle Emission Control
Information decal located on or near the engine.
This decal identifies engine displacement and gives
some tune-up specifications.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
Testing
In some localities it may become a legal requirement
to pass an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just
been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to a not
ready for I/M testing condition. To prepare for I/M
testing, the law specifies a "need for additional
mixed city and highway driving to complete the
check" of the OBD II system. As soon as all of the
OBD II system checks are successfully completed,
the OBD II system is set to the ready condition. The
amount of driving required to reach the ready
condition varies with individual driving patterns. To
complete this requirement in theminimum amount of time, refer to the OBD II Drive
Cycle defined below. If the vehicle owner cannot or
does not want to do the additional driving required by
law, a service center can perform this drive cycle as it
would any other type of repair work.
OBD II Drive Cycle
The following steps must be run in the order shown.
If steps 2 through 9 are interrupted, repeat the
preceeding step. Any safe driving mode is acceptable
between steps.
Always drive vehicle in a safe manner according to
traffic conditions and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start engine and drive until engine has reached
normal operating temperature.
2. Idle vehicle for at least 80 seconds, then
accelerate at part throttle to near 45 mph (72 km/h).
286

NOTE: Rear axle lube quantities must be
replaced every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or if
the axle has been submerged in water. Otherwise,
the lube should not be checked or changed unless a
leak is suspected or repair required.
Vehicle Storage
Maintenance Tips
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended
period of time (60 days or more), refer to the
following maintenance recommendations to ensure
your vehicle stays in good operating condition.
General Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place. Protect from sunlight, if possible. If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
290Body Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease,
oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces, rear
wheel housing and underside of front fenders. Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations. Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust. Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent discoloration.
Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed. Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil. Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading. Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.

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

Keys.............................................................charging system...............................55
key in ignition chime............................42engine oil pressure...........................54
positions of the ignition........................41high beam........................................58
removing from the ignition...................42oil pressure......................................54
stuck in lock position...........................42safety belt........................................52
L.................................service engine soon..........................56
Lamps..........................................................turn signal indicator.........................56
autolamp delay system.........................83Load limits
checking............................................277GAWR............................................192
................................................................GVVVR..........................................192
daytime running light system................81trailer towing...................................194
flashing the lamps................................90Lubricant specifications........................289
hazard flashers.....................................92Luggage compartment..........................135
headlamps............................................82Lug nuts, anti-theft...............................209
high beams...........................................90
replacing bulbs...................................277..........................M
trailer.................................................197Maintenance (see Servicing).................231
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal)....89Map pockets.........................................134
Lights, warning and indicator.......................Methanol in fuel...................................241
air bag.................................................59Mileage, calculating fuel economy........243
anti-theft..............................................59Mirrors
brake...................................................52automatic dimming rearview mirror..125
315

R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems)...159
Rearview mirror...................................125
Refill capacities for fluids.....................287
Remote entry system
arming and disarming the anti-theft
system...........................................106
locking/unlocking doors...................105
opening the trunk.............................106
panic alarm......................................106
replacement/additional transmitters..107
replacing the batteries......................106
RESCU system....................................144
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult....................................................9
child..................................................25
head................................................114
infant.................................................25
Roadside emergencies..........................199
Rotating the tires..................................256S
Safe driving tips....................................190
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)............9
Safety chains, when towing a trailer......196
Safety Compliance Certification Label..192
Safety defects, reporting.......................218
Safety information relating to automotive
fuels................................................241
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts................12,16
cleaning the safety belts.....................17
extension assembly............................16
for children.......................................25
for infants.........................................25
lap and shoulder belts........................11
maintenance......................................17
replacement......................................17
warning light and chime....................52
Safety seats for children
and air bags...................................19,27
attaching with tether straps.................38
317

Tune-up specifications (VECI).............285W.......................................
Turn signal.................................................Warm engine, starting...............................45
indicator lights...................................56Warning chimes............................................
lever..................................................89headlamps on.......................................58
.............................................................key in ignition......................................42
u................................safety belt............................................52
Used engine oil, disposal.........232,250,262Warranties, radio....................................178
Universal transmitter....130Warranty Information Booklet....................5
....................................Washer fluid
....................................Vreservoir............................................254
Variable interval wipers91windshield254
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control.................Weight limits (GAWR, GVVVR).........192
Information) decal................................286Wheels
Vehicle loading............................................anti-theft lugnuts.............................209
automatic transaxles...........................193cleaning...........................................260
calculating the load.............................193inspection and maintenance..............255
Vehicle storage.......................................290Windows..............................................111
Ventilating your vehicle...............................power windows, operating...............111
(see Climate control)..............................77
Viscosity (see Engine oil)........................245
Visor (see Sun visor)...............................128
320