fuel LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 Owner's Manual

256
RunningOu tof Fuel
WARNING
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257
q
English: MPG = (total miles)/(gallons used).
q
Metric: L/100K = (liters used) x 100/(total
kilometers)
Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy EstimatesEPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions and
may not reflect the actual conditions you experience
or your style of driving. The EPA fuel economy
estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve
the fuel economy shown.
The following decrease fuel economy:q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
q
Sudden stops
q
Extended engine idling
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
q
Underinflated tires
q
Heavy loads
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage
racks, bug deflectors, etc.
Self-Service PointersIf you choose to do your own fueling, you should
also perform a few simple maintenance routines.
This extra effort will save you additional money and
contribute to the driving efficiency of your vehicle.
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260Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or exhaust
system.
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of
vehicles is not permitted to intentionally remove an
emission control device or prevent it from working.
In some of the United States and in Canada,
vehicle owners may be liable if their emission
control device is removed or is prevented from
working.
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on for
more than five seconds after you shut it off or if it
misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.Information about your vehicle's emission control
system is on the Vehicle Emission Control
Information decal located on or near the engine.
This decal identifies engine displacement and gives
some tune-up specifications.
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) TestingIn some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II
system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its
battery has just been serviced, the OBD II system is
reset to a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional mixed city and highway driving is
required to complete the check of the OBD II
system.
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268Cleaning Your VehicleWashing and Polishing Your VehicleWash the outside of your vehicle, including the
underside, with a mild detergent.
DO NOT:q
Wash your vehicle with hot water
q
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct
sunlight
q
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the
paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle
as often as necessary to keep it clean.
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed
to chemical industrial fallout.Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to
a defect inpaint materials or workmanship and
therefore is not covered by warranty. Ford,
however, believes that continual improvement in
customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this
reason, Ford has authorized its dealers to repair, at
no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new
vehicles damaged by environmental fallout within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of
purchase, whichever comes first. Customers may be
required to bring their vehicle in for inspection by a
Ford representative.
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and
protect the finish.
Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum PartsWash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild
detergent. Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
fuel, or strong detergents.
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270Cleaning the SeatsLeatherFor routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft,
damp cloth. For more thorough cleaning, wipe the
surface with a leather and vinyl cleaner or a mild
soap.
Wipe the surface with a damp, soft cloth, then dry
and buff with a dry, soft cloth.FabricRemove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or
a vacuum cleaner. Remove fresh spots immediately.
Follow the directions that come with the cleaner.
NOTE:Before using any cleaner, test it on a small,
hidden area of fabric. If the fabric's color or texture
is adversely affected by a particular cleaner, do not
use it.
Cleaning the WheelsWash the wheels with the same detergent you use
to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based
wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives, fuel, or strong
detergents. These substances will damage protective
coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to remove
grease and tar.
NOTE:Before going to a car wash, find out if the
brushes are abrasive.
If you have whitewall tires that are difficult to clean
with regular detergent, use whitewall tire cleaner.
Follow the directions on the container and rinse the
tires with plenty of clean water.
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275
Engineq
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
Fuel systemq
Fill fuel tank with high-quality, premium
unleaded fuel until the first automatic shutoff of
the fuel pump nozzle.
NOTE:During extended periods of vehicle storage
(60 days or more), fuel may deteriorate due to
oxidation. This can damage rubber and other
polymers in the fuel system and may also clog small
orifices.Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60 days.
Follow the instructions on the label. The vehicle
should then be operated at idle speed to circulate
the additive throughout the fuel system.
A volatile corrosion inhibitor added to the fuel
system will protect the fuel system's inner surfaces
from corrosion. Follow the instructions packaged
with the product.
Cooling systemq
Protect against freezing temperatures.
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286Getting Help Outside the U.S.
and CanadaBefore you export your vehicle to a foreign country,
contact the appropriate foreign embassy or consulate
to make sure local regulations do not prevent you
from registering your vehicle. Officials at the
embassy can also help you decide whether you
should import your vehicle to that country.
Officials at the embassy or consulate can tell you
where to get unleaded fuel. If you cannot get
unleaded fuel or can get only fuel with an
anti-knock index that is lower than your vehicle
needs, contact a district or owner relations office
before you leave the U.S. or Canada.Use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without a proper
conversion may damage the effectiveness of your
emissions control system and may cause engine
knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor
Company is not responsible for any damage that is
caused by use of improper fuel.
You may also have difficulty importing your vehicle
back into the U.S. if you use leaded fuel.
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311
Electronic sound system (continued)
warranty and service information.... 44
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 27
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic
sound system)............ 27
Emergencies, roadside
fuel................ 255
jump-starting............ 211
towing............... 217
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 172
Emission control system......... 258
catalytic converter.......... 258
emissions warranty.........4,258
Engine
does not start.........167, 191
fuel injected engine, starting . . . 165, 166
fuel pump shut-off switch....... 191
preparing to start.......... 165
refill capacities............ 272
service points............ 224
starting............... 166starting after a collision........ 191
storing your vehicle......274, 275
Engine block heater........... 168
Engine coolant............. 231
checking and adding......... 231
disposal............220, 240
preparing for storage......... 275
proper solution........220, 240
recovery reservoir.......224, 231
refill capacities............ 272
specifications............ 273
temperature gauge.......... 17
Engine coolant temperature gauge..... 17
description............. 17
mechanical............. 17
Engine coolant temperature
guage:electronic........... 17
Engine fan............... 221
Engine knocking............ 253
Engine oil............... 226
ªbreak-inº oils............. 5
changing oil and oil filter....227, 228
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312
checking and adding......... 227
check oil warning light........ 12
dipstick............... 227
disposal............220, 240
engine oil pressure warning light.... 12
filter, specifications.......... 271
low oil warning light......... 12
refill capacities............ 272
specifications.........226, 273
synthetic oil............. 226
viscosity.............. 226
F
Fan.................. 221
engine fan, avoiding injury...... 221
Flashers, hazard............ 68
Flashing the lights........... 65
Flat tire................ 205
Fluid refill capacities.......... 272
Ford Dispute Settlement Board...... 280
Ford Motor Company of Canada..... 284
Ford of Canada CustomerAssistance Centre........... 284
Foreign registration........... 286
French owner guides, how to obtain.... 3
Fuel................. 251
calculating fuel economy....... 256
capacity............... 272
choosing the right fuel........ 253
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates......... 257
filling your vehicle with fuel...... 251
filter, specifications.......... 271
fuel filler door release lever...... 251
fuel gauge.............. 18
octane rating............ 253
quality............... 253
running out of fuel.......... 256
safety information relating to
automotive fuels.......... 255
storing your vehicle......... 275
treating emergencies......... 255
Fuel cap................ 251
removing.............. 251
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313
Fuel cap (continued)
replacing.............. 251
Fuel filler door............. 251
remote release............ 251
Fuel filter, specifications......... 271
Fuel gauge............... 18
Fuel pump shut-off switch
engine does not start......... 191
starting after a collision........ 191
Fuse panels.............. 192
engine compartment......... 198
instrument panel........... 203
Fuses
charts............192, 203
checking and replacing........ 203
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap)......... 251
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy) . . 253, 254
Gasoline (see Fuel)........... 251
Gauges, Electronic
engine coolant temperature gauge . . . 17fuel gauge.............. 18
odometer.............. 17
speedometer............. 17
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature gauge . . . 17
fuel gauge.............. 18
odometer.............. 17
speedometer............. 17
tachometer............. 17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 184
definition.............. 183
driving with a heavy load....... 183
location............... 183
Gearshift
automatic operation.......177, 178
column-mounted........178, 179
locking the gearshift......... 62
positions.............. 178
shifting the gears........... 178
Gearshift:shifting the gears........ 178
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) . . . 183
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