LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Lincoln RESCU System
(If equipped)
Lincoln RESCU runs a self-test when you start
your vehicle. During this test, the Lincoln RESCU
warning light, located in the overhead console, will
briefly illuminate. If a problem is detected during
the self-check, the light will remain lit and the
message "RESCU FAILURE" will be displayed on
the vehicle's message center for several seconds.If the warning light fails to briefly illuminate
when you start your vehicle or if it remains
lit, have your Lincoln RESCU System
checked by an authorized Lincoln/Mercury
dealer as soon as possible. Your system may
be inoperative.
68

Instrument Panel ControlsThe instrument panel (dashboard) on your
vehicle is divided into several different
sections. The illustrations on the following
pages show the major parts of the
instrument panel that are described in this
chapter. Some items shown may not be on
all vehicles.
The main controls for the climate control system,
clock, and radio are on the instrument panel.If you have radio transmitting equipment in your
vehicle, be aware that it can interfere with your
vehicle's electrical system and may cause the
instrumentation and/or convenience products to
have temporary, abnormal operation.
NOTE: Any cleaner or polish that increases the
gloss (shine) of the upper part of the instrument
panel should be avoided. The dull finish in this
area is to help protect the driver from undesirable
windshield reflection.
Clean the instrument panel lens and woodtone trim
with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner. Do not use
paper towel or any abrasive cleaner to clean either
the lens or the woodtone trim as these may cause
scratches.
69

Light
Instrument panel
70ClusterHood release handleRear window def roster/heated

The Climate Control System
Electronic Automatic Temperature
Control System
The control for your Electronic Automatic
Temperature Control (EATC) is located at
the center of the instrument panel and
operates only when the key is in the ON
position.
The EATC feature maintains the temperature
you select and automatically controls the
airflow for your comfort. It also allows you
to override the automatic operation with
manual override buttons.The automatic temperature control system
71

To turn your EATC on, push the AUTOMATIC
button or any of the six override buttons along
the bottom of the control.
To turn your EATC off, press the OFF button.
When the system is off, the display window will
be blank (dark) except when OUTSIDE TEMP
has been selected. Then, OUTSIDE TEMP and
the temperature will appear in the window.
If you select AUTOMATIC, the system will
automatically determine fan speed and airflow
location. If an override button is selected, your
selection determines airflow location only. Fan
speed remains automatic unless you override it
by rotating the vertical thumbwheel located at
the extreme right of the control panel.
To change the temperature in the display
window, select any temperature between 65°F (I
8°C) and 85°F (29°C) using the BLUE (cooler)
or RED (warmer) buttons. The Electronic
Automatic Temperature Control will do the rest.
72If you want continuous maximum cooling, push the
BLUE button until 60°F (16°C) is shown in the
display window. Your EATC will cool at
maximum and disregard the 60°F (16°C) setting
until you select a warmer temperature with the
RED button. If you want continuous maximum
heating, push the RED button until 90°F (32°C) is
shown in the display window. Your EATC wifl
provide maximum heat regardless of the 90°F
(32°C) setting until you select a cooler temperature
with the BLUE button.
The display window tells you how the system is
operating. It will indicate the selected temperature
and the operating function you have chosen; AUTO
or one of the six manual overrides. It will also
indicate manual (thumbwheel) control of the fan
speed with the symbol. The display window
with all possible displays and their positions are
shown here. Normally not aU are shown at the
same time but are included here to familiarize you
with the names and symbols.

The display windowThe AUTO temperature display
Automatic operation
Push the AUTOMATIC button and select the
desired temperature. The selected temperature
and AUTO will be shown in the display window.
The EATC will automatically heat or cool to
achieve the set temperature. Under normal
conditions, your EATC will need no additional
attention.When in AUTOMATIC and weather
conditions require heat, air will be sent to
the floor. But, a feature is included in
your EATC to prevent blowing cold air
to the floor if the engine coolant is not
warm enough to allow heating. In 3-1/2
minutes or less, the fan speed will start to
increase and the airflow will change to
the floor area.
73

If unusual conditions exist (i.e., window fogging,
etc.), the six manual override buttons allow
YOU to select special air discharge locations. A
thumbwheel allows you to adjust the fan speed
to suit your needs.
Temperature selection
The RED and BLUE buttons at the upper left of
the Control are for temperature selection. The
RED Button will increase the set temperature
and the BLUE Button will lower the set
temperature. Pressing a button and releasing it
will change the set temperature one degree.
Holding either button in will rapidly change the
temperature setting in one degree increments to
either 65°F (18°C) (BLUE) or 85°F (29°C)
(RED). Then, the set temperature will jump 5°
and stop at either 60*F (I 6°C) which is
maximum cooling or 90°F (32°C) which is
maximum heating. VVhen you select 60°F
(16°C) or 90°F (32°C), the fan will go to HI
speed for maximum air flow.
74The average temperature range used is
between 68°F (20°C) and 78°F (26°C).
Changing the temperature setting by several
degrees outside this range or overriding to
60°F (16°C) or 90°F (32°C) will not speed
up the heating or cooling process.

Fan speed and thumbwheel
Your EATC automatically adjusts the fan speed
to the existing conditions. You must push
AUTOMATIC for automatic fan speed
operation. To control the fan speed yourself,
use the thumbwheel which will cancel the
automatic fan speed control. The thumbwheel is
located at the extreme right side of the EATC
control panel. It is a vertical control marked
with a fan symbol. Rotate up for HI and down
for LO speeds.Fan thumbwheel
When you move the thumbwheel, the fan
speed will go to manual control. The display
window will show the symbol in the lower
right corner along with the selected
temperature and operating function.
75

You can override the fan speed at any time. If
you use the thumbwheel to override the fan
speed, the EATC will continue to control the
temperature but you control the fan speed. To
return to auto fan control, press the
AUTOMATIC button. If you are operating in
one of the override functions (FLOOR, MAX
A/C, etc.), automatic fan control will continue
unless you rotate the fan thumbwheel. To
76return to automatic fan control, press the
AUTOMATIC button. The EATC will return
to Automatic operation. If you want to
return to any override function, press the
button for that function. The fan speed will
continue to be automatically controlled.
Manual override buttons
Your EATC has six buttons which allow you
to make special selections. The buttons are
located along the bottom edge of the EATC
control and allow you to determine where the
air will be discharged. Pressing any override
button changes the air discharge location
only. It does not affect the ability of the
system to control temperature or the fan
speed. Return to fully Automatic operation
by pushing the AUTOMATIC button.

MAX A/C button
The MAX A/C feature allows for faster cooling
because air is drawn from inside the vehicle.
Using inside air causes the fan to sound louder
which is normal for this selection. The Display
window will change to indicate 60°F (16°C) and
MAX A/C. The fan will run at high speed and
the airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers. To exit and return to the previous
temperature, push AUTOMATIC or any of the
other five override buttons.
VENT button
Push this button to select outside air through the
instrument panel registers. The display window
will show the set temperature and VENT to the
lower right of the temperature. Your EATC will
heat the air if the temperature you have selected
is warmer than the outside air coming into the
vehicle. However, the air will NOT be cooled
regardless of the temperature setting.PNL & FLR button
Push this button to get air from the floor and
instrument panel registers at the same time.
The display will show the set temperature and
the words PNL and FLR. Depending on the
selected temperature, the air will be
automatically heated or cooled.
FLOOR button
Airflow will be to the floor when the FLOOR
button is pressed. The display window will
show the set temperature and FLR to the left of
the temperature. The air cannot be cooled in
the FLOOR position, only heated. Fan speed
will be automatic unless manually controlled. If
you override the fan speed and wish to return to
automatic fan control, push AUTOMATIC.
Then, again select FLOOR for airflow to the
floor.
77