instrument panel LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Table of ContentsINTRODUCTORY INFORMATIONSAFETY RESTRAINTS
STARTING YOUR CONTINENTALWARNING LIGHTS AND GAUGESINSTRUMENT PANEL CONTROLS
STEERING COLUMN CONTROLSFEATURESELECTRONIC SOUND SYSTEMS1
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The Importance of Being Properly
Seated
In a collision, the air bag must inflate extremely
fast to help provide additional protection for
you. In order to do this, the air bag must inflate
with considerable force. If you are not seated in
a normal riding position with your back against
the seatback, the air bag may not protect you
properly and could possibly hurt you as it
inflates./!\ WARNINGIf a passenger is not properly seated andrestrained, an inflating air bag couldcause serious injury.In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is closer
to the air bag. The force of the rapidly inflating air
bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat
against the vehicle seatback or center armrests (if so
equipped), or center console (if so equipped).
Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg.) should
use child or infant seats. Forward facing child seats
must have the passenger seat moved as far back
from the instrument panel as possible.
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front
passenger air bag. Front passengers, especially
children and small adults, should never sit on the
edge of the seat, stand near the glove compartment
of the instrument panel, or lean over with their
faces near the glove compartment when the vehicle
is moving. All occupants should sit with their backs
against the seatback and use the safety belts.
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The driver air bag is in the center of the steering
wheel and is indicated by the letters SRS. The right
front passenger seat air bag is in the upper right-
hand section of the instrument panel ledge above
the glove compartment. The letters SRS appear
there. Both air bags are designed to stay out of
sight until they are activated.The location of air bags and warning labels
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Safety Seats for Children
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size
and weight of the child. Always follow the safety
seat manufacturer's instructions when installing
and using the safety seat.
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat
having a top tether strap. Install the child safety
seat in a seating position which is capable of
providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps see Attaching
Safety Seats With Tether Straps in this chapter.
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use
the correct safety belt buckle for that seating
position, and make sure the tongue is securely
fastened in the buckle./!\WARNINGREAR-FACING INFANT SEATSSHOULD NEVER BE USED IN THEFRONT SEAT. REAR-FACING INFANTSEATS MUST ALWAYS BE PLACED INTHE REAR SEAT. Failure to follow theseinstructions could result in serious injury.When using forward-facing child seats inthe front seat, always move the passengerseat as far back from the instrument panelas possible. Failure to follow thesewarnings could result in injury to thechild.All child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by the lap
portion of a lap-shoulder belt.
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3.Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is set before you turn the key.
Before you start your vehicle, you should test the
warning lights on the instrument panel to make sure that
they work. Refer to the Warning Lights and Gauges
chapter.
Starting Your Engine
To start your engine:
1.Follow the steps under Preparing to Start Your
Vehicle at the beginning of this section.
2.Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the accelerator
while the vehicle is parked.
444. Turn the key to the START position (cranking)
until the engine starts. Allow the key to return to
the ON position after the engine has started.
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the
steering wheel slightly because it may be binding.
For a cold engine: At temperatures 10° °F (-12° °C) and below: If the
engine does not start in fifteen (15) seconds on the
first try, turn the key to OFF, wait approximately
ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine,
then try again. At temperatures above 10° °F (-12° °C): If the
engine does not start in five (5) seconds on the
first try, turn the key to OFF, wait approximately
ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine,
then try again.

This light comes on every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine
offl. The light should go off when the engine
starts and the alternator begins to charge.
If the light stays on or comes on when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
When you push the turn signal lever up before
making a right turn, the right side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
When you push the turn signal lever down
before making a left turn, the left side arrow on
the instrument panel flashes.
Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically
after you turn your car. If the turn signal
continues to flash after you have made the turn,
push the lever back to the OFF position.
56If one or both of your turn indicators do not flash
or stay on continuously, have them serviced as
soon as possible. In the meantime, be sure to use
the accepted hand signals.
Service Engine Soon Warning Light
The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic 11
(OBD 11) system consists of the hardware
and software necessary to monitor the
operation of the powertrain. The OBD 11
system is designed to check the function
of the vehicle's powertrain control system
during normal operation. If an emission
problem is detected, the Service Engine
Soon light (in the cluster) is turned on.

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.
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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
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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.
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