brake fluid LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

The following warning lights and gauges are on
the instrument cluster. AD of the warning
lights and gauges alert you to possible
problems with your vehicle.
Indicator Lights and Chimes
Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
This warning light and chime remind you to
fasten your safety belt. The following
conditions will take place: If the safety belt is not buckled when the
ignition is turned to the ON position, the
chime will turn on for four (4) to eight (8)
seconds and the light will come on for one
to two minutes. If the safety belt is buckled while the light is
on and the chime is sounding, both the light
and chime will turn off.
52 If the safety belt is buckled before the
ignition is turned to the ON position,
neither the light nor the chime will come
on.Brake System Waming Light
The warning light for the brakes can show two
things - that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in
the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level
is low, the brake system should be checked by
your dealer or a qualified service technician.

Doors Closed Trunk Closed Trunk Closed Exterior Lamps Distance to Empty Fuel Level TractionControl (if equipped)
System Warnings
System warnings alert you to possible
problems or malfunctions in your vehicle's
operating systems. There are up to 18 warning
messages which can be displayed by the M/C
to show the status of the monitored systems.
The M/C will display the last selected feature if
there are no more warning messages. This
allows you to use the full functionality of the
M/C after you acknowledge the warning by
pressing the RESET button and clearing the
warning message.
62WARNINGACT10NDoor AjarDriver's Door AjarCheck Engine TempCheck Charging SystemLow Fuel LevelWarning returns after 10 minutesLow Engine CoolantLow Oil LevelLow Tire Pressure(if equipped)Headlamp OutBrake Lamp OutCheck Traction Control(if equipped)Check Ride ControlTrunk AjarWarning reappears after key is turnedCheck Steering Assistfrom OFF to ONLow Washer FluidAir Leveling DisabledTail lamp OutFront Turn Lamp Out

See Securitires in the Features chapter for more
information.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transaxle, since your
vehicle does not use up transaxle fluid. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle is
not working properly - for instance, the transaxle
may slip or shift slowly, or you may notice some
sign of fluid leakage - the fluid level should be
checked.
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in city traffic
during hot weather, or pulling a trailer, the vehicle
should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
the fluid to cool before checking.Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
With the vehicle on a level surface and the brake fully
applied, start the engine and move the gear shift
selector through all of the gears allowing sufficient
time for each position to engage. Securely latch the
gear shift selector in the P (Park) position. Fully set
the parking brake and leave the engine running.
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back
into the filler tube and make sure it is fully seated.
Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid level.
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven until
some fluid has been added if the fluid level is below
the bottom dimple on the dipstick and the outside
temperature is above 50°F (10°C). Add only enough
fluid to bring the level above the bottom hole.
261

Brake Fluid
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should
not use up brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the
level of the brake fluid to slowly fall as you put
more mileage on your vehicle and the brake lining
wears.
You should check the brake fluid at every scheduled
engine oil change, but be sure to check it at least
once a year. You can do this by looking at the fluid
level in the plastic reservoir on the master cylinder.
(See The Engine Type in this chapter to locate the
master cylinder.) The fluid level should be at or near
the MAX mark./!\ WARNINGBrake fluid is toxic.If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running
water for 15 minutes. Get medical attention ifirritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and
induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately.
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove the cap
from the reservoir. Fill the reservoir to the MAX
line with Ford High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid
C6AZ-19542-AA, C6AZ-19542-BA, or equivalent
DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-
M6C25-A./!\ WARNINGIf you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, youwill cause permanent damage to your brakes.Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low
below the seam or ridge on the outside of the plastic
reservoir - have the brake system inspected.
263

/!\ WARNINGDo not let the reservoir for the mastercylinder run dry. This may cause the brakesto fail.The brake fluid reservoir
264Power Steering Fluid
Check the level of the power steering fluid at least
twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
1. Start the engine and let it run until the power
steering fluid reaches normal operating
temperature. The power steering fluid will be at
the right temperature when the engine coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is
near the center of the NORMAL operating
temperature range.
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
back and forth several times. Make sure that the
cap assembly is installed at this time.

Lubricant Specifications
ItemFord Part No.Part NameFord SpecificationBrake Master CylinderC6AZ-19542-AAFord High Performance DOT 3
Brake FluidESA-M6C25-AHinges, Door Latch, Hood
Latch Auxiliary Latch,
Trunk and Liftgate LatchesDOAZ-19584-AAMulti-Purpose Grease SprayESB-MIC93-BLock CylindersE8AZ-19A501-BFord Penetrating LubricantN/ATransaxle, AutomaticXT-2-QDX
Motorcraft MERCONÒ Auto.
Trans. FluidMERCONÒConstant Velocity Joints
Outboard and InboardE43Z-19590-ACV Joint Grease - High Temp.ESP-MIC207-AEngine CoolantE2FZ-19549-AAFord Premium Cooling System
FluidESE-M97B44-APower Steering (Pump
Reservoir)XT-2-QDXMotorcraft Auto Trans. & Power
Steering MERCONÒ ATFMERCONÒATFEngine OilXO-5W30-QSPMotorcraft 5W30 Super
PremiumESE-M2C I 53-E and API Certification
MarkDoor WeatherstripsCOAZ-19553-AASilicone LubricantESR-Ml3P4-A289

Engine coolant reservoir Power steering fluid reservoir Windshield washer fluid reservoir Automatic transaxlefluid dipstick Brake master cylinderEngine oil filler cap Hood safety release Engine oil dipstick High current fuse box Battery
306

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

applying the brakes.........................187
brake warning light...........................52
fluid, checking and adding..............263
fluid, refill capacities.......................287
fluid, specifications.........................289
new brake linings................................6
noise...............................................188
parking...........................................188
trailer.............................................197
when storing your vehicle...............292
Brake-shift interlock.............................180
Break-in period........................................6
Bulbs, replacing....................................277
headlamps........................................278
C
Canada, customer assistance.................219
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).......................................220
Capacities for refilling fluids.................287
Carbon monoxide in exhaust...................49
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats).........................27Catalytic converter284
CD player (see Electronic sound system) . 169
Chains, tires260
Changing a tire204
Charging system warning light 55
Childproof locks 99
Child safety restraints 25
child safety belts 38
child safety seats 27
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps 38
tether anchorage hardware 38
Chime
headlamps on 58
key in ignition 42
safety belt 52
Cleaning your vehicle
chrome and aluminum parts 8
exterior 7
exterior lamps 83
fabric118
headlamps 83
309

Mirrors (continued)........P
heated........................127Panic alarm feature, remote entry................
rearview....................125system................................................106
Moon roof......................113Parking brake.............................................
Motorcraft parts.............288operation.........................................188
......................................Nwarning light......................................52
National Highway Traffic.SafetyParts (see Motorcraft Parts)..................288
Administration...............218Phone, cellular........................................88
......................................Power features...........................................
....................................0moon roof........................................113
Odometer, description....65seats................................................115
Oil filter.........................289windows..........................................111
Oil (see Engine oil).........244Power steering...........................................
Oil viscosity...................245driving with power steering..............185
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system....286fluid, checking and adding................264
Overdrive...............................................183fluid, refill capacity...........................287
....................................................................fluid, specifications...........................289
....................................................................Pressure alert system........................142
316