power steering LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Memory Profile System
The Personality Memory Feature customizes your
Continental for up to two (2) drivers. The
following features are automatically recalled when
unlocking the doors using the remote entry
transmitter, keyless entry keypad, or by pressing
the Memory 1 or Memory 2 switches on the
driver's door: All driver's seat positions except power lumbar
and head restraint. Both left and right outside mirror settings. Radio station presets including the last selected
station and band and 0 preset preferences on
FMI, FM2, and AM. Instrument panel dimming setting. Autolamp delay time-out setting. Ride/Steering menu setting. Feature Menu settingsThe Ride/Steering menu is located in the
Message Center. The RIDE display allows you
to adjust the suspension feel to FIRM,
NORMAL, or PLUSH.
Pressing the Ride/Steering menu switch again
brings the STEERING display. This allows you
to adjust steering effort to LOW, NORMAL, or
HIGH.
For more information on ride/steering options,
see Road Calibrated Suspension later in this
chapter.
Personality Memory also allows you to
customize settings from the Feature menu
located in the Message Center. The Feature
menu contains five (5) features that you can
enable or disable. The features are listed in the
order they appear in the Feature menu. EXPRESS WINDOW - for one tap down
operation of the driver's window.
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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

Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or
left for more than five seconds if the engine is running.
This can damage the power steering pump.
Air Suspension Adaptive Ride
Control System
Your vehicle has an air suspension system with
automatic load leveling and automatic ride control.
This system keeps your vehicle at a constant level by
adding air or releasing air from the springs. Ride and
handling is enhanced by firming shock absorber
performance during certain road conditions, steering
maneuvers, braking, and accelerations and is
returned to the driver selected ride calibration when
driver or road surface induced motion changes are
completed.
A shutoff switch is located behind an access panel in
the left side of the trunk. If this switch is in the OFF
position, the air suspension system will remain at a
constant state, not adjusting for varying loads or
driving conditions.
186Normal vehicle operation does not require any
action by the driver.
For a more complete listing of the various
driving and steering options available, see Road
Calibrated Suspension in the Features chapter.Air suspension switchThe air suspension switch

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

/!\ 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.

3.Turn the engine off and check the level on the
power steering reservoir.
4.The fluid level is viewed through the sight
window on the power steering reservoir. If the
power steering fluid is below the middle line,
add fluid in small amounts, continuously
checking the level. Do not overfill.The power steering fluid reservoir
265

Use only MERCONÒ ATF power steering fluid.
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive your
vehicle for a long period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering pump.
Fuses
Fuses (conventional and high current) protect your
vehicle's electrical system from overloading. If
electrical parts in your vehicle are not working, the
system may have been overloaded and blown a fuse.
Before you replace or repair any electrical parts,
check the appropriate fuses (conventional and high
current).
266The following charts tell you which fuses protect
each electrical part of your vehicle. If a fuse blows,
all the parts of your vehicle that use that circuit will
not work.
Once you have determined which fuses to check,
follow the procedures under Checking and replacing
fuses in this chapter.

Fuse
LocationMaxi-Fuse
Amp RatingDescription22Not used23Relay
· HI beam headlamps relay2420A
· Fuel pump2520A
· Thermactor pump26Relay
· EATC blower motor relay2730A
· PCM
· STC28Not used29Relay
· Horns relay30Relay
· Powertrain control module
relayChecking and Replacing Fuses
If you need to check a fuse, follow these steps:
1. Find the fuse panel underneath the instrument
panel to the left of the steering column.
Squeeze together the two areas indicated by
the arrows and pull down to remove the
cover.
2. Find the fuse you want to check (fuses are
numbered on the fuse panel) and remove it
with the fuse pulling tool that is provided.
3. Check the fuse to see if it is blown. Look
through the clear side of the fuse to see if the
metal wire inside is separated. If it is, the fuse
should be replaced.
275

3.Drive to accumulate at least four (4) minutes
in the range of 30-45 mph (50-70 km/h). If
stop and go conditions occur, the
accumulative time must be within the 30-45
mph (50-70 km/h) range. No wide open
throttle conditions should be encountered.
4.Cruise and maintain a select speed in the range
of 30-40 mph (48-64 km/h) on a level road
with throttle held very steady for at least one
(1) minute.
5.Decelerate and idle for at least 80 seconds.
6.Accelerate to 55 mph (90 km/h) at ½ throttle.
7.Decelerate at closed throttle for I 0 seconds.
8. Cruise and maintain a select speed in the range
of 40-65 mph (64-105 km/h) on a level road
with throttle held very steady for at least 80
seconds.9. Complete 10 minutes of city driving 25-40 mph
(40-64 kin/h) with at least six (6) stops.
10. OBD II drive cycle has been completed.
Vehicle can be turned off when convenient.
Refill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts,
and Lubricant Specifications
Refill Capacities
ComponentU.S.MetricCooling system
(including heater)14.25 qts.13.5 litersEngine oil
(with filter change)6.0 qts.5.7 litersTransaxle
Auto. overdrive13.7 qts.13.0 litersPower steering2.5 pints1.2 litersFuel tank17.8 gallons67.4 litersPressure cap16 psiI 10 kPa287

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