maintenance LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 Owner's Manual

274NOTE:Rear axle lube quantities must be replaced
every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or if the axle
has been submerged in water. Otherwise, the lube
should not be checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or repair required.Vehicle StorageMaintenance TipsIf you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended
period of time (60 days or more), refer to the
following maintenance recommendations to ensure
your vehicle stays in good operating condition.Generalq
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust and
damage.
Bodyq
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease,
oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces, rear
wheel housing and underside of front fenders.
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent discoloration.
Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed.
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil.
q
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
q
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
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279
Customer AssistanceIf You Have a Service ProblemFord Motor Company has authorized Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships that can service your
vehicle for you. This chapter tells you how to get
service or maintenance for your vehicle.Service/Maintenance Concerns
(U.S. or Canada)Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your
selling dealer who wants to ensure your continued
satisfaction. You may, however, take your vehicle to
any authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. In
most cases, your dealer will be able to resolve your
concern.If you are not satisfied with the service you
received from your dealership's service department,
talk to the service manager at the dealership, or if
you still are not satisfied, talk to the owner or
general manager of the dealership. In most cases,
you will have your concern resolved at this level.
If you are away from home when your vehicle
needs to be serviced, or if you need more help than
the dealer gave you, contact the Ford Customer
Assistance Center to find an authorized dealership
that may be able to help you.
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282How does the Board Work?The Board consists of:q
three consumer representatives
q
a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer
Consumer candidates for Board membership are
recruited and trained by an independent consulting
firm. Dealers are chosen because of their business
leadership qualities.
What the Board needsTo have your case reviewed you must complete the
application in the DSB brochure and mail it to the
address provided on the application form.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined
to be eligible, you will receive an acknowledgment
indicating:q
the file number assigned to your application
q
the toll-free phone number of the DSB's
independent administratorYour dealership and a Ford Motor Company
representative are asked to submit statements at this
time.
To review your case properly, the Board needs the
following information:
q
legible copies of all documents and maintenance
or repair orders relevant to the case
q
the year, make, model, and Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) listed on your
vehicle ownership license
q
the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of
occurrence(s)
q
the current mileage
q
the name of the dealer who sold or serviced the
vehicle
q
a brief description of your unresolved concern
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307
Anti-theft system (continued)
disarming an untriggered system.... 128
disarming a triggered system...... 129
triggering...........126, 128
warning light............ 16
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 280
Assistance (see Customer assistance) . . . 279
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system)............ 25
Autolamp system (see Headlamps).... 56
Automatic transaxle
driving with............. 177
fluid, adding..........238, 240
fluid, checking.........238, 239
fluid, refill capacities......... 272
fluid, specification.......... 273
B
Basic vehicle warranty........... 4
Battery................ 240
acid, treating emergencies....... 241
battery saver............. 126
charging system warning light..... 13
disconnecting............ 216
how to service............ 240
jumping a disabled battery....... 211
maintenance-free........... 240
proper disposal, recycling....... 241
replacement, specifications....... 271
servicing.............. 240
voltage gauge............ 13
when storing your vehicle....... 276
Brake fluid............... 229
brake warning light.......... 10
checking and adding......... 229
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316
rear ABS.............. 11
safety belt.............. 10
service engine soon......... 14
theft system............. 16
turn signal indicator...... 14,64,65
Load limits.............. 183
GAWR............... 183
GVWR............... 183
trailer towing............ 185
Lubricant specifications......... 273
Luggage compartment.......... 116
Lug nuts............... 207
anti-theft.............. 210
standard.............. 208
tightening sequence......... 207
M
Maintenance schedule and record
(see separate Maintenance Schedule
and Record booklet)........... 3
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 219Master cylinder, brakes......... 229
Mileage, calculating fuel economy..... 257
Mirrors................ 92
automatic dimming rearview mirror . . . 92
heated............... 112
rearview.............. 92
side view mirrors.......... 92
side view mirrors (manual)...... 110
Moon roof............... 91
Motorcraft parts............ 271
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration............ 277
New vehicle break-in........... 5
O
Octane rating............. 253
Odometer............... 17
description............. 17
Oil filter.............228, 271
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 226
Oil viscosity.............. 226
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318
replacement/additional transmitters . . . 125
replacing the batteries........ 124
Reporting safety defects......... 277
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult.............131, 135
child................ 148
head................ 131
infant............148, 149
Reverse................ 181
Roadside emergencies.......... 191
Rotating the tires............ 247
S
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)..... 135
Safety chains, when towing a trailer.... 187
Safety Compliance Certification Label . . . 183
Safety defects, reporting......... 277
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 255
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts . . 137, 138, 142
automatic locking mode........ 140
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . . 140center front lap belt......... 141
center rear lap belt.......... 141
cleaning the safety belts........ 269
extension assembly.......... 142
for adults.............. 135
for children............. 148
for infants...........148, 149
for pregnant women......... 135
head................ 131
lap and shoulder belts.....135, 137
lap belt............... 141
maintenance............. 143
proper use............. 135
replacement............. 143
warning light and chime....... 10
Safety seats for children......... 149
and air bags............. 149
attaching with tether straps...... 160
automatic locking mode
(retractor)..........140, 149
in front seat............. 149
in rear outboard........... 149
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320Steering wheel
horn................ 69
locking............... 62
tilting............... 70
Storage compartments, center console . . . 113
Storing your vehicle........... 274
Sunroof (moon roof).......... 91
Sun visor............... 94
Sunvisor................ 94
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 15
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 143
T
Tachometer.............. 17
mechanical cluster.......... 17
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 261
cleaning.............. 269
Temperature control (see Climate control) . 45
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints)......... 160
Tilt steering wheel........... 70Tires................. 246
changing.............. 205
checking the pressure......... 246
cleaning............... 270
inspection and maintenance...... 246
replacing.............. 248
rotating............... 247
snow tires and chains......... 250
spare tire.............. 206
storing your vehicle......... 276
tire grades............. 248
treadwear.............. 248
wear bands............. 248
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 185
Towing your vehicle.......... 217
using wheel dollies.......... 217
with a tow truck........... 217
Trailer towing............. 185
calculating maximum trailer weight . . . 185
safety chains............. 187
tips................ 189
trailer brakes............ 188
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322
W
Warm engine, starting.......... 166
Warning chimes
headlamps on............ 15
key in ignition............ 63
safety belt.............. 10
Warning lights (see Lights)......... 7
Warranties................ 4
basic................. 4
Canada................ 4
radio................ 44
Warranty Information Booklet....... 4
Washer fluid.............. 66
rear window reservoir........ 230
reservoir.............. 230
windshield............. 230
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR)...... 183Wheel bearings, lubricant specifications . . 273
Wheel dollies (see Towing)....... 217
Wheels
anti-theft lugnuts........... 210
cleaning............... 270
covers............207, 208
inspection and maintenance...... 246
lug nuts............... 207
Windows, power windows, operating . . . 105
Windshield, washing.......... 66
Windshield washer fluid and wipers.... 66
checking and adding fluid....... 230
checking and replacing wiper blades . . 242
liftgate reservoir........... 230
operation.............. 66
reservoir.............. 230
specifications............ 273
variable interval wipers........ 66
Windshield wipers and washer...... 66
Wrecker towing............ 217
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