service 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.
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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

Motorcraft Parts
If you replace
these parts ...Use the Motorcraft Service
Part with this part number· spark plug*AWSF-32EE**· air filterFA-1615· fuel filterFG-800A· oil filterFL-820· batterystandardBXT-65-850*Refer to Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI)
decal for spark plug and gap specifications.
**If a spark plug is removed for examination, it must be
reinstalled in the same cylinder.
Cylinders #1, #2, 43, #4 have a EG suffix.
Cylinders #5, #6, #7, #8 have a E suffix.
If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark plugs
with the I service number suffix letter "FE" as shown on the
engine decal.288

Brake warning indicator Engine oil pressure light Traction control active light Charging system warning light Fuel gauge ANTI
THEFT active light Service engine soon warning light Engine coolant temperature gauge Safety belt light Turn signal indicator lights High beam light
Air bag readiness light Speedometer Tachometer Anti-theft active light Anti-lock brake warning indicator Message center Odometer304

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

Driving under special conditionsEmission control system
bad weather191catalytic converter................................284
heavy load192emissions warranty...............................284
high water192Engine
slippery roads191does not start....................................45
towing a trailer194fuel injected engine, starting..............43
fuel pump shut-off switch..................47
Epreparing to start..............................43
Electrical systemrefill capacities..................................287
fuses275service points....................................237
operating when the engine is off41starting.............................................44
Electronic sound systemstarting after a collision.....................47
accessory delay165storing your vehicle...........................291
antenna165Engine block heater..................................46
radio reception176Engine coolant
tuning the radio.......................................161checking and adding................247
warranty and service information.............178disposal232, 250, 262
Emergencies, roadside.........................................................drain and flush.........................251
battery acid spills...................................199preparing for storage...............291
jump-starting199................refill capacities.........................287
towing211................refill procedure........................251
Emergency brake (parking brake).................188specifications...........................289
311

Engine coolant temperature gauge,.Fluid refill capacities.............................287
description..............................66Ford Dispute Settlement Board............214
Engine fan......................................233Ford Extended Service Plan......................6
Engine oil.......................................Ford Motor Company of Canada..........219
"break-in" oils............................6Ford of Canada Customer...........................
changing oil and oil filter............247Assistance Centre...............................219
checking and adding..................245Foreign registration..............................221
dipstick......................................246French owner guides, how to obtain.........3
disposal232, 250, 262.Fuel............................................................
engine oil pressure warning light54calculating fuel economy..................243
filter, specifications....................288capacity...........................................287
refill capacities...........................28-choosing the right fuel......................240
specifications.............................289comparisons with EPA fuel economy.....
synthetic oil...............................245estimates.......................................243
viscosity....................................245filling your vehicle with fuel.............238
Exhaust fumes................................49filter, specifications..........................288
Extended Service Plan, Ford...........6fuel gauge..........................................67
F....................running out of fuel...........................242
Flashers, hazard..............................92safety information relating to..................
Flashing the lights...........................90automotive fuels............................241
Flat tire..........................................204storing your vehicle..........................291
......................................................treating emergencies........................241
312

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

Seats..........................................................removing the spare tire.......................205
adjusting the seats, power................115temporary spare.................................204
child safety seats................................27Spark plugs, specifications......................288
head restraints.................................114Specification chart, lubricants.................289
Securitire.............................................141Speed control...............................................
Service concerns..................................213accelerating..........................................97
Servicing your vehicle, precautions when....canceling a set speed............................98
servicing............................................233resetting...............................................97
Shift-lock system..................................180resuming a set speed............................98
Shift positions (see Gearshift)...............181turning off............................................98
Shoulder and lap belts................................when towing a trailer..........................198
(see Safety restraints)...........................11Speedometer.............................................66
Side mirrors...............................................Starting your vehicle.....................................
adjusting..........................................126preparing to start your vehicle..............43
heated . ..........................127starting a cold engine...........................44
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof)......113starting after a collision........................47
Snow tires and chains...........................260starting a warm engine.........................45
Spare tire...................................................Steering, power......................................185
changing the tire..............................206Steering wheel..............................................
finding the spare..............................205horn.....................................................93
..............................................................tilting...................................................94
318

Service Station InformationEngine4.6 Liter 4 Valve SFI (Sequential Fuel Injection) 8 Cylinder
FuelPREMIUM FUEL ONLY- Octane 91 or higher
Fuel Tank Capacity17.8 gallons (68.1 Liters)
Tire SizeRefer to the Tire Pressure Decal
Tire PressureFront- 30 PSI, Rear- 28 PSI (measured cold)- Tire pressure decal on the front
face of the passenger’s door jamb.
Hood ReleasePull handle under left side of dash.
Engine OilUse only engine oil displaying the American Petroleum Institute Certification
Mark- 5W30 preferred
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 quarts (5.7 Liters).
Automatic
TransmissionMotorcraft MERCONÒ (ATF),
Transaxle Capacity13.7 quarts (13.0 Liters).
Power Steering FluidUse only power steering fluid that meets Ford Specification Motorcraft
MERCONÒ ATF
Engine Coolant
Capacity14.25 quarts (13.5 Liters).
322