wipers LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

Starting Your ContinentalIgnition
Understanding the Positions of the
IgnitionThe positions of the key in the ignitionACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is not
running.
NOTE:Your vehicle is also equipped with an
accessory timer. This allows some of your
accessories to remain on for up to I 0 minutes after
the ignition is turned to the OFF position. The
accessory timer is cancelled if any door is opened, the
dimmer switch is used, or the ignition is turned to the
ON position.
The automatic transaxle gearshift must be in P (Park)
to move the key to the LOCK position.
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
gearshift lever.
LOCK is the only position that-allows you to remove
the key. The LOCK feature helps to protect your
vehicle from theft.
41

Steering Column ControlsThe controls on the steering column and wheel
are designed to give you easy access to the
controls while you are driving.
The Turn Signal Lever
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side
of the steering column to: operate the turn signals and cornering lamps turn the high beams on/off flash the lights turn the windshield wipers and washer on/offThe turn signal lever
Turn Signals
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move it
down to signal a left turn. The corresponding
indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash.
89

If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move
the lever back to the center (off) position. A
warning chime will sound after approximately
one-half mile (one kilometer) of driving if you do
not return the lever to off.
For lane changes, move the lever far enough to
signal but not to latch. The lever will return to
the off position when you release it.
NOTE: The flash rate of the turn signal will
speed up considerably if the Lighting Control
Module detects a left or right turn lamp bulb
(front or rear) is burned out.
High Beams
To turn on the high beams, turn the headlamp
control switch to the headlamp ON position (or
activate the autolamp feature) and push the turn
signal lever away from you until it latches. When
the high beams are ON, the high beam indicator
light on the instrument cluster comes on.
90To turn off the high beams, pull the lever toward
you until it latches. The high beam indicator
light turns off.
Flashing the Lights
To flash the headlamps, pull the lever toward
you for a moment and then release it. The
headlamps will flash whether the headlamp knob
is in the on or off position.
Windshield Wipers and Washer
To turn on the windshield wipers, the ignition
key must be turned to the ON or ACC position.
Rotate the knob towards "S" to activate the
wipers. The first seven detents are interval wipe
positions, the eighth detent is the LO position
and the ninth detent is the HI position.
To turn the wipers off, turn the knob to the OFF
position.

Variable Interval Wipers
In addition to two speed wipers, your vehicle has
wipers that you can set to operate at varying
intervals. For example, you can set the interval
so they wipe less often when it drizzles or more
often in heavier rain.The windshield wiper on the turn signal leverTo set the interval wipers, turn the -knob at the
end of the turn signal lever between "S" (slow) and
"F" (fast) until the desired interval between wipes
is achieved.
Windshield Washer
To clean the windshield, push in the end of the
wiper knob. For a constant spray, keep the knob
pushed in. After you release the knob, the wipers
operate for two to three cycles before turning off
(if the wipers were OFF) or returning to HI, LO,
or the interval setting selected.
If the washer does not work, check the washer
fluid level and fill it if it is low. See the Servicing
Your Continental chapter. If there is enough fluid,
consult your nearest Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer.
91

Do not try to clean the windshield when the
washer fluid container is empty or activate the
washers at any time for more than 15 seconds
continuously. This could damage the washer
pump system./! WARNINGIn freezing weather, the washer solutionmay freeze on the windshield and obscureyour vision. Always warm up thewindshield with the defroster before youuse the washer fluid. If you cannot seethrough the windshield clearly, it canincrease the risk of being involved in acollision.For information about refilling the washer fluid or
replacing your windshield wiper blades, see
Windshield washer fluid and Wipers in the Index.
92Hazard Flasher
The hazard flasher serves as a warning to other
drivers to be careful when approaching or passing
your vehicle.
The flashers work whether your vehicle is running
or not. The flashers work for up to two hours
when the battery is fully charged and in good
condition without draining the battery excessively.
If the flashers run for longer than two hours or if
the battery is not fully charged, the battery can be
drained.

readings after a few days, perform a compass
adjustment.
Compass-Calibration
I .For optimum calibration, switch off all non-
essential electrical accessories (rear window
defrost, heater/air conditioning, map lamps,
wipers, etc.) and ensure all doors are shut.
2.Drive to an open, level area away from large
metallic objects or structures.
3.Insert an appropriate diameter rod (paper clip)
into the left switch access hole underneath the
compass module and press gently for 1-2
seconds until "CAL" and a direction appear on
the display.
1404. Release the button and drive in a circle
until "CAL" disappears from the display
(approx. 2-3 circles).
Compass-Zone Adjustment
1.The zone setting is factory pre-set to Zone
8. Refer to the Zone Map in this manual to
verify the correct compass zone setting for
your geographical location.

If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected
until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle will
eventually relearn its idle while you drive it, but it
takes much longer than if you use the previous
procedure.
Windshield Washer Fluid and
Wipers
Washer Fluid
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every
time you stop for fuel. The reservoir for washer
fluid is located on the passenger's side of the engine
compartment. Visual inspection can determine if
the washer fluid is adequate. Do not operate the
washer when the reservoir is empty.
254Washer reservoirThe reservoir for the windshield washer fluid/!\WARNINGDo not put windshield washer fluid in thecontainer for the engine coolant.Use specially formulated windshield washer fluid
rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather

(temperatures below 32°F [0°C]). State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing non-
methanol antifreeze agents should be used only if
they provide cold weather protection without
damaging the vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades,
and windshield washer system.
Wiper Blades
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice a
year. Also check them whenever they seem less
effective than usual. Substances such as tree sap
and some hot wax treatments used by commercial
car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the
windshield and the wiper blades. Use undiluted
windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not use fuel,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents to clean
your wiper blades. These will damage your blades.To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply turn
the ignition to the ACC position and turn your
wipers on. Wait for them to reach a vertical position
and turn the ignition to the OFF position. Do not
move the wipers manually. Manually moving the
wipers across the windshield may damage them.
Wiper blade replacement
If the wiper blades still do not work properly after
you clean them, you may need to replace the wiper
blade assembly or the blade element. When replacing
the wiper blade assembly, blade refill, or wiper arm
always use a Motorcraft part or equivalent. To
replace the blades, follow the instructions that come
with them.
Tires
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank.
If one tire looks lower than the others, check the
pressure in all of them. Always follow these
precautions:
255

Engine compartment/ Servicing Windshield wipers Headlamp bulbs and Daytime Running Lights Hood latch Turn signal bulbs Parking lamp bulbs
Cornering lamp bulbs Moon roof Keyless entry Side view mirrors Tires299

Headlamps (continued).................................I.............................
cleaning...............................................83Idle.............................................................
daytime running lights..........................81relearning.........................................253
flashing................................................90speed.................................................45
high beam............................................90Ignition......................................................
replacing bulbs...................................277chime.................................................42
turning on and off................................82positions of the ignition......................41
warning chime.....................................58removing the key...............................42
Head restraints.......................................114Infant seats (see Safety seats).................27
Heated mirrors.......................................127Instrument panel, location of components .70
Heating........................................................Interval wipers........................................91
electronic automatic temperature...............................................................................
control system...................................71J.............................
High beams, indicator light.......................58Jack, operation.....................................207
Hood............................................................Jump-starting your vehicle..........................
latch location...............................234,235attaching cables................................201
lubrication specifications....................289disconnecting cables.........................203
release lever.......................................234K...............................
working under the hood.....................233Keyless entry system...................................
Horn........................................................93locking and unlocking doors............102
....................................................................programming entry code..................103
314