coolant LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

A computer system controls the engine's idle speed.
When you start your vehicle, the engine's idle speed
normally runs higher than when it is warmed up. These
faster engine speeds will make your vehicle move
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It should,
however, slow down after a short time. If it does not,
have the idle speed checked.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle for more
than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle checked./! WARNINGExtended idling at high engine speeds can producevery high temperatures in the engine and exhaustsystem, creating the risk of fire or other damage.46/! 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.Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if
you live in a region where temperatures reach -10° °F
(-23° °C) or below. An engine block heater warms
the engine coolant, which improves starting, warms
up the engine faster, and allows the heater-defrost
system to respond quickly.
To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a
grounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends that
you use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by a
ground fault circuit interrupter.

The Instrument Cluster
In addition to warning lights, the instrument
cluster has a message center/odometer, a
speedometer, tachometer, fuel and coolant
temperature gauges.
The Electronic Message Center (M/C)
The Electronic Message Center only works
when the ignition is in the ON position.
Each time the WC is powered the display goes
through a self test by displaying the PLEASE
FASTEN SEATBELT message. This self test
is used to stabilize the systems before reporting
the status to you.
60The message center tells you about the
condition of your vehicle by two methods: operator selectable features continuous warning reporting of
monitored systems
You can select different features for the M/C to
display by using the message center control
buttons located to the right of the instrument
cluster. You will hear a tone when you press one
of these buttons. However, if the M/C detects a
warning from any of the monitored systems, then
the M/C will display the appropriate warning
message.

Operator Selectable FeaturesCluster Control Buttons and Message Center
Control ButtonsThese features are controlled by the message
center control buttons located to the right of the
instrument cluster.
System Check
Pressing the SYSTEM CHECK button causes
the M/C to cycle through a status of each of the
systems being monitored. For each of the
monitored systems, the M/C will indicate either
an OK message or a warning message for three
seconds. The sequence of the system check
report is as follows: Washer Fluid Level Ride Control Oil Level Engine Coolant Level Voltage Level Engine Temperature
61

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

Speedometer
The speedometer tells you how many miles
(kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the approximate
engine revolutions per minute (rpm), or how
fast the engine is running.
You can drive your vehicle at most rpm points
on the tachometer but you must stay out of the
red zone.
If you drive with the tachometer in the red
zone, you may damage the engine.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the
coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the
gauge indication will not be accurate.
66The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into the
NORMAL band as the engine coolant warms up. It
is acceptable for the pointer to fluctuate within the
NORMAL band under normal driving conditions.
Under certain driving conditions such as, heavy stop
and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot weather, the
pointer may indicate at the top of the NORMAL
band.
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves above
the NORMAL band, the engine coolant is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.
If your engine coolant overheats:
1.Pull off the road as soon as it is safely possible.
2.Turn off the engine.
3.Let the engine cool. DO NOT REMOVE
COOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL
THE ENGINE IS COOL.

4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, see the Engine Coolant in
the Index. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced as soon as possible.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge displays approximately how
much fuel you have in the fuel tank. The
ignition switch must be in the OFF position
while filling the tank with at least three gallons
(I I liters) for the fuel gauge to indicate the
new level. If the ignition is left ON or less than
3 gallons (I 1 liters) of fuel are added the fuel
gauge will not immediately indicate the new
fuel level. The gauge will gradually correct
itself to indicate the true fuel level.Overhead Console Warnings
If your Continental is equipped with the Pressure
Alert System, a warning will appear in the overhead
console when the pressure in one of your vehicle's
tires drops below acceptable levels or if the system
has malfunctioned.LOW TIREPRESSURESee Securities in the Features chapter for more
information.
67

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

Engine coolant reservoir Power steering fluid reservoir Windshield washer fluid reservoir Engine oil filler cap Hood safety release High current fuse box Engine oil
dipstick Air filterEngine compartment service points
237

Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil
Filter
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for recommended intervals./!\ WARNINGContinuous contact with USED motor oilhas caused cancer in laboratory mice.Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
Engine Coolant
Checking the Engine Coolant
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions Men Servicing Your Vehicle at the
beginning of this chapter./!\ WARNINGThe cooling fan is automatic and may comeon at any time. Always disconnect thenegative terminal of the battery beforeworking near the fan.Cold fill levelThe engine coolant reservoir
247

Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in the
winter. Check the level of the coolant at least once
a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine under Engine Type, in this chapter.
Check the engine coolant level in the engine coolant
reservoir at least once a month using the following
guidelines.
When your vehicle's engine is cool, the coolant level
in the engine coolant reservoir should be at the top
of the clear portion of the reservoir. If the level is
below the cold fill level, coolant may need to be
added.
The coolant additives also protect the entire cooling
system from internal passageway corrosion and
these additives lubricate the water pump. The
coolant should be serviced as noted in the
Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet.
248Adding engine coolant/!\ WARNINGDo not put engine coolant in the containerfor the windshield washer fluid.If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through the
windshield./!\ WARNINGNever remove the pressure cap while theengine is running or hot. Follow these stepsto avoid personal injury that can be causedby escaping steam or engine coolant.1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off
and let it cool. Even when the engine is cool, be
careful when you remove the pressure cap.