overheating LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

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.

In general, this system improves your vehicle's
stability and acceleration performance when road
conditions warrant. Traction ControlÔ is fully
effective at all vehicle speeds.
If the Traction ControlÔ system is cycled
excessively, the brake portion of the system will shut
down to prevent the front brakes from overheating.
A limited Traction ControlÔ function using engine
torque will still control wheels from spinning. A
cooling down period is required to prevent damage
to the brakes. This time period varies and depends
on brake usage during the cooling down period.
Anti-Lock braking is not affected and will function
normally during the cool down period.
After the cool down period, the full Traction
ControlÔ' function is restored.Steering Your Vehicle
Your vehicle comes with power steering.
Power steering uses energy from the engine to
help steer your vehicle.
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes, check your steering effort
selection in the Message Center. If this is not
the problem, have the power steering system
checked. If the power steering system breaks
down (or if the engine is turned off), you can
steer the vehicle manually but it takes more
effort.
The steering system in your vehicle is speed
sensitive. This means that the steering effort is
light for parking and heavier for highway
driving. However, if you have to swerve
around an object or another vehicle, your
steering will have full power assist.
185

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.

your engine cooling system. Follow the
recommended service interval for changing your
engine coolant.
NOTE: When you change or add engine coolant, it
is important to maintain your engine coolant
concentration between 40% (-11°F [-24°C]) and
60% (-62°F [-52°C]), depending on your local
climate conditions. Below 40% you will lose freeze
protection; above 60% your engine may overheat
on a warm day.
NOTE: Less than 40% of coolant concentration
may cause engine corrosion and overheating. Plain
water may be used in an emergency only. Replace
it with the specified coolant as quickly as possible.
NOTE: The use of an improper coolant may void
your warranty for the engine cooling system. Use
only a premium, nationally recognized brand name
engine coolant. Do not use alcohol, methanol
antifreeze or engine coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze. If you do not use the proper
250coolant, the aluminum engine on your vehicle will
corrode.
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the Ford
Rotunda engine coolant recycling process and
chemicals. Use only Ford Rotunda recycled engine
coolant or an equivalent recycled engine coolant that
is certified by the supplier to meet Ford specification
ESE-M97B44-A.
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids
in a responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about
recycling automotive fluids.
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid E2FZ-
19549-AA (in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or an
equivalent engine coolant that meets Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A.