service LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 Service Manual

280If you have any questions or concerns that the
dealership cannot answer, contact the Customer
Assistance Center.
If you still have a complaint involving a warranty
dispute, you may wish to contact the Dispute
Settlement Board (U.S. only) or the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) in Canada.
A warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under
the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or to the extent
allowed by state law, before pursuing replacement
or repurchase remedies provided by certain statelaws. This dispute handling procedure is not
required prior to enforcing state created rights or
other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement
or repurchase laws.
The Dispute Settlement Board
(U.S. Only)The Dispute Settlement Board is:q
an independent, third-party arbitration program
for warranty disputes
q
available free to owners and lessees of qualifying
Ford Motor Company vehicles
The Dispute Settlement Board may not be available
in all states. Ford Motor Company reserves the right
to change eligibility limitations, modify procedures
and/or to discontinue this service without notice
and without incurring obligations.
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

281
What Kind of Cases Does the Board
Review?The Board reviews all warranty performance
complaints on Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and
Ford and Mercury light trucks under the new
vehicle limited warranty that have not been
resolved by either a dealer or Ford Motor Company,
except those involving:q
a non-Ford product
q
a non-Ford dealership
q
a vehicle sales transaction
q
request for reimbursement of consequential
expenses. Expenses incidental to the warranty
complaint being reviewed are eligible for
consideration.
q
items not covered by the new vehicle limited
warranty
q
items covered by a service contract
q
alleged liability claims
q
property damage where the damage is
significant when compared to the economic loss
alleged under the warranty dispute
q
cases currently in litigation
q
vehicles not used primarily for family, personal,
or household purposes (except in states where
the Dispute Settlement Board is required to
review commercial vehicles)
Complaints involving vehicles in which applicable
new vehicle limited warranties have expired at
receipt of your application are not eligible. Eligibility
may differ according to state law. For example, see
the unique brochures for California and Wisconsin
purchasers/lessees.
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

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
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

285
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN/Serial
Number)Mediation/Arbitration Program
(Canada Only)In those cases where you continue to feel that the
efforts by Ford and the dealer to resolve a
factory-related vehicle service concern have been
unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in an
impartial third party mediation/arbitration program
administered by the Canadian Motor Vehicle
Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).The CAMVAP program is a straight-forward and
relatively speedy alternative to resolve a
disagreement when all other efforts to produce a
settlement have failed. This procedure is without
cost to you and is designed to eliminate the need
for lengthy and expensive legal proceedings.
In the CAMVAP program, impartial third-party
Arbitrators conduct hearings at mutually convenient
times and places in an informal environment. These
impartial Arbitrators review the positions of the
parties, make decisions and, where appropriate,
render awards to resolve disputes. CAMVAP
decisions are fast, fair and final as the arbitrator's
award is binding on both you and Ford of Canada.
CAMVAP services are available in all territories and
provinces, except Quebec. For more information,
without charge or obligation, call your CAMVAP
Provincial Administrator directly at 1-800-207-0685.
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

287
If your vehicle must be serviced while you are
traveling or living in Central or South America, the
Caribbean, or the Middle East, contact the nearest
Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot help you,
write to:
If you are in other foreign countries, contact the
nearest Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot
help you, they can direct you to the appropriate
Ford affiliate office.
If you buy your vehicle in North America and then
relocate outside of the U.S. or Canada, register your
Vehicle Identification Number and new address
with Ford Motor Company Export Operations.
File:14fnhsc.ex
Update:Mon Sep 9 10:16:08 1996

306Index
A
ABS warning light (see Anti-lock
brake system)............ 11
Accessory position on the ignition.... 62
Accident damage............ 220
Air bag supplemental restraint system . . . 143
and child safety seats......... 149
description..........143, 145
driver air bag.........143, 145
indicator light............ 15
operation.............. 145
passenger air bag........... 145
service and information labels..... 145
tone generator............ 147
Air cleaner filter
location............... 224
specifications............ 271
Air conditioning, electronic automatic
temperature control system...... 45Air suspension
air leveling disabled warning,
message center........... 20
description............. 175
Alarm, activating remote personal..... 124
Aluminum wheels........... 250
Antenna, radio (see Electronic
sound system).......... 25,31
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)...... 231
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description............. 171
noise................ 171
see also Brake............ 171
warning light............ 11
Anti-theft lug nuts and key........ 210
Anti-theft system
arming the system.......... 127
description..........126, 127
File:fnixc.ex
Update:Tue Sep 17 08:28:54 1996

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
File:fnixc.ex
Update:Tue Sep 17 08:28:54 1996

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
File:fnixc.ex
Update:Tue Sep 17 08:28:54 1996

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
File:fnixc.ex
Update:Tue Sep 17 08:28:54 1996

319
Safety seats for children (continued)
in rear seat............. 149
tether anchorage hardware...... 160
Seat belts (see Safety restraints)..... 135
Seats................. 131
adjusting the seats, power....... 132
child safety seats........... 149
cleaning upholstery.......... 270
head restraints............ 131
Service concerns............ 279
Servicing your vehicle.......... 219
precautions when servicing...... 221
servicing when you tow........ 217
Shift positions (see Gearshift) . . . 178, 179
Shoulder and lap belts
(see Safety restraints)......135, 137
Shoulder belts
(see Safety restraints)......137, 138
Side mirrors.............. 92
adjusting.............. 110
heated............... 112
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof).... 91Snow tires and chains.......... 250
Spare tire............... 205
changing the tire........205, 207
conventional spare.......... 206
finding the spare........... 206
removing the spare tire........ 206
storing the flat tire.......206, 208
temporary spare........... 205
Spark plugs, specifications........ 271
Specification chart, lubricants....... 273
Speed control
turning off............. 72
when towing a trailer......... 189
Speedometer.............. 17
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 165
starting a cold engine......... 166
starting after a collision........ 191
starting a warm engine........ 166
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 211
Steering, power............ 177
File:fnixc.ex
Update:Tue Sep 17 08:28:54 1996