steering LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 User Guide

72The speed control switches on the steering
wheelTo Turn Speed Control Offq
Press OFF, OR
q
Turn off the vehicle ignition.
Once speed control is switched off, the previously
programmed set speed will be erased.
To Turn Speed Control Onq
Press ON
To Set a SpeedPress SET ACCEL. For speed control to operate, the
speed control must be ON and the vehicle speed
must be greater than 30 mph (48 km/h).
If you drive up or down a steep hill, your vehicle
speed may vary momentarily slower or faster than
the set speed. This is normal.
Speed control cannot reduce the vehicle speed if it
increases above the set speed on a downhill. If your
vehicle speed is faster than the set speed while
driving downhill inj(Overdrive), you may want
to shift to the next lower gear to reduce your
vehicle's speed.
If your vehicle slows down more than 10 mph
(16 km/h) below your set speed on an uphill, your
speed control will disengage. This is normal.
Pressing RES (Resume) will re-engage it.
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106To lock out all window switches except the master
controls, press the window lock switch once. To
restore control to the individual windows, press the
switch again.
There is also an Express Down feature on the
driver's power window. This feature can be
activated through the menu functions of your
Message Center.
To operate, briefly press the driver's window switch
to the down position. The window will then open
automatically. To stop automatic operation, briefly
press the switch again to either the up or down
position. More than a quick press of the switch
provides conventional power window operation.
Closing of the power window is conventional
operation only.
Memory Profile System
(If equipped)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:q
All driver's seat positions except power lumbar
and head restraint.
q
Both left and right outside mirror settings.
q
Radio station presets including the last selected
station and band and all preset preferences on
FM1, FM2, and AM.
q
Instrument panel dimming setting.
q
Autolamp delay time-out setting.
q
Ride/Steering menu setting.
q
Feature Menu settings
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107
The 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 Suspensionlater 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.
q
EXPRESS WINDOW - for one tap down
operation of the driver's window.
q
AUTO DOOR LOCKS - automatically locks all
doors when the driver shifts out of PARK, all
doors are closed, and the vehicle speed is at
least three mph (five km/h).
q
HORN CHIRP - sounds an audible ªchirpº
when you press the LOCK button on the
remote entry transmitter to verify that the doors
have been locked and the vehicle's anti-theft
system has been armed (if equipped).
q
SEAT ACCESS - moves the driver's seat back
two (2) inches or to the end of the seat track
when the vehicle is turned off and the ignition
key is removed. Upon the driver entering the
vehicle and closing the door, the seat will move
forward to its previous position.
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1663. 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 theInstrumentation
chapter.Starting Your EngineTo start your engine:
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your
Vehicleat 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.4. 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:
q
At temperatures10ÊF(-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do
not flood the engine, then try again.
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
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175
During the Traction Control
TM
function, which most
often occurs during low speed acceleration on
slippery surfaces, a noise may be heard coming from
the engine compartment. This is normal and may
last for a few seconds during the acceleration of the
vehicle.
In general, this system improves your vehicle's
stability and acceleration performance when road
conditions warrant. Traction Control
TM
is fully
effective at all vehicle speeds.
If the Traction Control
TM
system is cycled
excessively, the brake portion of the system will
shut down to prevent the front brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Control
TM
function
using engine torque will still control wheels from
spinning. A cooling down period is required to
prevent damage to the brakes. This time periodvaries 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
Control
TM
function is restored.
Rear Air Suspension Adaptive
Ride Control SystemYour vehicle has an air suspension system with
automatic rear load leveling and automatic ride
control. This system keeps the rear of 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.
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176A shutoff switch is located behind an access panel
in the left side of the trunk. If this switch is in the
OFF position, the rear air suspension system will
remain at a constant state, not adjusting for varying
loads or driving conditions.
Normal vehicle operation does not require any
action by the driver.
For a more complete listing of the various driving
and steering options available, seeRoad Calibrated
Suspensionin theFeatureschapter.
The air suspension switch
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177
Steering Your VehicleYour 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.
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.
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive TransaxleYour automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully
automatic operation in eitherj(Overdrive) or D
(Drive). Driving with the shift selector inj
(Overdrive) gives the best fuel economy for normal
driving conditions. For manual control, start in 1
(First) and then shift manually.
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Powertrain Control Module that limits engine
and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to
promote durability.
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203
Checking and Replacing FusesIf 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.The side view of a Blade type fuse
The side view of a high current fuse
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237
Power Steering FluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid at least
twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid1. 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.
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238The power steering fluid reservoirUse only MERCONHATF 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.
Automatic Transaxle FluidUnder normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transaxle, since your
vehicle does not use up transaxle fluid. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet for replacement
intervals. However, if the transaxle is not working
properly Ð for instance, the transaxle may slip or
shift slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid
leakage Ð the fluid level should be checked.
NOTE:If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in city traffic
during hot weather, or pulling a trailer, the vehicle
should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
the fluid to cool before checking.
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