warning light 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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Safety RestraintsImportant Safety Belt Information
The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and
your passengers in case of a collision. In most
states and in Canada the law requires their use.
Safety belts provide best restraint when: the seatback is upright the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched) the lap belt is snug and low on the hips the shoulder belt is snug against the chest the knees are straight forward
To help you remember to fasten your safety belt, a
warning light may come on and a chime may sound.
See Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime in the
Warning Lights and Gauges chapter.See the following sections in this chapter for
directions on how to properly use these safety belts.
Also see Safety Restraints for Children in this
chapter for special instructions about using safety
belts for children./! WARNINGMake sure that you and your passengers wearsafety belts. Always drive and ride with yourseatback upright and the lap belt snug and lowacross the hips.9

/!\ WARNINGREAR-FACING INFANT SEATSSHOULD NEVER BE USED IN THEFRONT SEAT. REAR-FACINGINFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BEPLACED IN THE REAR SEAT. Failureto follow these instructions could result inserious injury./!\ WARNINGDo not place objects or mount equipmenton or near the air bag cover on thesteering wheel or in front seat areas thatmay come in contact with a deploying airbag. Failure to follow this instructionmay increase the risk of personal injury inthe event of a collision.20For further information about the proper mounting
of equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please
refer to Ford's brochure entitled Some Important
Information About Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System which can be obtained by calling Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356. Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
For additional important safety information on the
proper use of seat belts, child seats, and infant seats,
please read the other sections of this part of the
Owner Guide, especially sections entitled Safety
Belts for Children and Safety Seats for Children.
How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System Operates
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
consists of the Driver and Passenger air bags,
impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, a
readiness light and tone, and the electrical wiring
which connects the components.

/! WARNINGIf the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAGWILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN ANDMUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY.If the air bag is not replaced, theunrepaired area will increase the risk ofinjury in a collision.To ensure that the air bag system will operate as
intended in a crash, the system is equipped with a
diagnostic module, which controls a readiness lamp
and a warning tone. The diagnostic module
monitors its own circuits, the air bag electrical
system, the air bag readiness light, the air bag
power, and the air bag inflators.
The air bag system uses a readiness light on the
instrument cluster and a tone to indicate the
condition of the system. When you turn the ignition
key to the ON position, this light will illuminate for
approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off.
24This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Maintenance of the air bag
system is not required.AIRBAG A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following: the readiness light will either flash or stay lit, or it will not light immediately after ignition is
turned on, or a group of five beeps will be heard. The
tone pattern will repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.

OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel, or the
gearshift lever.
ON allows You to test your vehicle's warning lights
(except the brake system warning light) to make sure
they work before you start the engine. The key returns
to the ON position once the engine is started and
remains in this position while the
engine runs.
START cranks the engine. Release the key once the
engine starts so that you do not damage the starter. The
key should return to ON when You release it. The
START position also allows You to test the Brake
Warning Light.
42Removing the Key From the Ignition
1.Put the gearshift in P (Park)-
2.Set the parking brake fully.
3.Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4.Remove the key.
If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move the
steering wheel left or right until the key turns freely.
If the driver's door is open while the key is still in the
ignition, a warning chime sounds./! WARNINGAlways set the parking brake fully andmake sure that the gearshift is securelylatched in P (Park).

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.

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 left side of the trunk/! WARNINGIf you see or smell fuel, do not reset theswitch or try to start your vehicle. Haveall the passengers get out of the vehicleand call the local fire department or atowing service.48If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
1 . Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
2.Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
3.if you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
4.Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
5.Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel. If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again. If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.

Warning Lights and GaugesInstrument cluster
51

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.