oil LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 Owners Manual

5
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind
protection throughout the United States and
Canada, provided by a network of more than 5,100
participating Ford Motor Company dealers.
NOTE:Repairs performed outside the United States
and Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.
This information is subject to change. Ask your
dealer for complete details about Ford ESP coverage.Breaking Your Vehicle InYour new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in
period, you need to pay careful attention to how
you drive your vehicle.q
Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehicle has
new brake linings, you should take these steps:
Ð Watch traffic carefully so that you can
anticipate when to stop.Ð Begin braking well in advance.
Ð Apply the brakes gradually.
The break-in period for new brake linings
lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving
or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway
driving.
q
Use only the type of engine oil that Ford
recommends.SeeEngine oil recommendations
in the Index. Do not use special ªbreak-inº oils.
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12Engine Oil Pressure Warning LightThis light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not the
oil level. However, if your engine's oil level is low,
it could affect the oil pressure. The light will come
on briefly when you turn your key to the START
and ON position. The light should stay off when
the engine is running with normal oil pressure. If
the light comes on while the engine is running, you
have lost oil pressure and continued operation will
cause severe engine damage.If you lose engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe
engine damage could result.
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine oil,
seeEngine Oilin the Index. If you do not
follow these instructions, you or others could
be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your
car should be on level ground.
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again. Do
not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the
light is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact
your nearest dealer for further service actions.
For more information about adding oil, seeAdding
engine oilin theMaintenance and Carechapter.
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20These features are controlled by the message center
(M/C) control buttons located to the right of the
instrument cluster.System CheckPressing the SYSTEM CHECK button causes the
M/C to cycle through a status of each of the
systems being monitored. For each of the monitored
systems, the M/C will indicate either an OK
message or a warning message for three seconds.
The sequence of the system check report is as
follows:q
Washer Fluid Level
q
Ride Control
q
Oil Level
q
Engine Coolant Level
q
Voltage Level
q
Engine Temperature
q
Doors Closed (Driver and Right Side)
q
Trunk Closed
q
Exterior Lamps (Head, Front Turn, Brake and
Tail)
q
Distance to Empty
q
Fuel Level
q
Traction Control (if equipped)
System WarningsSystem warnings alert you to possible problems or
malfunctions in your vehicle's operating systems.
There are up to 18 warning messages which can be
displayed by the M/C to show the status of the
monitored systems. The M/C will display the last
selected feature if there are no more warning
messages. This allows you to use the full
functionality of the M/C after you acknowledge the
warning by pressing the RESET button and clearing
the warning message.
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81
Once an assistance request is made, it will typically
take less than one minute until contact is made
with an operator. During voice communication the
following messages will alternately toggle on the
display:q
CID XXXXXXXXXX
q
LAT XXXXXXXXXX
q
LON XXXXXXXXXX
q
HDG XX
These messages respectively are the customer
identification number, vehicle latitude, vehicle
longitude and heading. Under special circumstances,
the operator may ask you to read the information
being displayed on the Message Center.
If vehicle messages are being displayed on the
Message Center (low washer fluid, low oil, door
ajar, etc.), they must be cleared in order to view
the LINCOLN RESCU messages. To clear thevehicle messages, press the Message Center RESET
button, which is located to the right of the display.
Continue pressing the button until all vehicle
messages are cleared.
Automatic RedialAs described previously, when an assistance request
is made, the vehicle's cellular phone automatically
dials the Lincoln Security Response Center's central
computer and attempts to send an electronic data
message. Occasionally, it can be difficult for the
computer to recognize the message if the cellular
connection is weak or noisy. If the transmission of
the message is unsuccessful, the data call will be
terminated and the message ªREDIAL IN
PROGRESSº will be displayed on the Message
Center. A second call will automatically be placed
which bypasses the response center's computer and
is forwarded directly to an operator.
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226Engine Oil RecommendationsWe recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the
front of the container.
The API Certification Mark
Neveruse:q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments or
engine treatments
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and engine
protection for all climates down to-15ÊF (-25ÊC).
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of
the preferred viscosity may be used in your engine.
The engine oil and oil filter must still be changed
according to the maintenance schedule.
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227
Checking and Adding Engine OilSince the proper amount of engine oil is important
for safe engine operation, check the oil using the
dipstick each time you put fuel in your vehicle.
Remember the engine must be off, the oil must be
warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
Checking the engine oil level:
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and
allow a few minutes for the engine oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the engine.5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
Engine oil dipstick
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the oil
level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some oil
must be removed from the engine.
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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228It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED engine
oil of the preferred viscosity. Your vehicle's
warranty coverage may not apply if engine damage
is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted
in yellow. To add oil, remove the filler cap and use
a funnel to pour oil into the opening. Be careful not
to overfill the engine. Recheck the oil level after 30
minutes to allow the oil to settle.Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil
FilterChange your engine oil and oil filter according to
these mileage and time requirements, whichever
occurs first.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
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269
Cleaning Plastic PartsSome of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are
plastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover if
necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning.
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove
oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil
remover. If rustproofing is not removed from plastic
and rubber parts, it can cause deterioration.Cleaning the Safety BeltsClean the safety belts with any mild soap solution
that is recommended for cleaning upholstery or
carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belt webbing
because this may weaken it.
Cleaning the Instrument Panel LensClean the instrument panel lens and woodtone trim
with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner. Do not use
paper towel or any abrasive cleaner to clean either
the lens or the woodtone trim as these may cause
scratches.Cleaning the Exterior LampsDo not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or
abrasive cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may
cause scratches or crack the lamps.Cleaning the Interior LampsYour interior dome lamps and map lamps are plastic
and should be cleaned with a mild detergent
diluted in water. Rinse them with clear water.
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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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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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