tires LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 Owners Manual

74Overhead Console WarningsIf your Continental is equipped with the Pressure
Alert System, a warning will appear in the overhead
console when the pressure in one of your vehicle's
tires drops below acceptable levels or if the system
has malfunctioned.
SeeSecuriTiresin theMaintenance and Care
chapter for more information.Lincoln RESCU System
(If equipped)Lincoln RESCU runs a self-test when you start your
vehicle. During this test, the Lincoln RESCU
warning light, located in the overhead console, will
briefly illuminate. If a problem is detected during
the self-check, the light will remain lit and the
message ªRESCU FAILUREº will be displayed on
the vehicle's message center for several seconds.
If the warning light fails to briefly illuminate when
you start your vehicle or if it remains lit, have your
Lincoln RESCU System checked by an authorized
Lincoln/Mercury dealer as soon as possible. Your
system may be inoperative.
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187
Preparing to TowFor your safety and for the good of your vehicle,
use the right equipment for the type of trailer you
tow. Also, make sure that all towing equipment is
properly attached to your vehicle. If you are not
certain that you are using the right equipment in
the proper manner, see your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your vehicle's
bumper. The bumper is not designed to bear the
load.
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's tires
when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
Connecting the safety chainsAlways attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the hitch
breaks.
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
attach them to your vehicle's frame or hook
retainers. Never attach the safety chains to your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed
to bear the weight of a trailer.
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in the
chains to allow you to turn corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
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244Pressure Alert SystemEach of your SecuriTires is monitored by a low tire
pressure sensor. A warning will appear in the
overhead console when the pressure in one of your
tires drops below acceptable levels or if the system
has malfunctioned.
The Low Tire Pressure warning in the
overhead console
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH FCC RULES,
PART 15. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE
FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS: (1) THIS
DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL
INTEREFERENCE AND (2) THIS DEVICE MUST
ACCEPT ANY INTEREFERENCE THAT MAY BE
RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTEREFERENCE THAT
MAY CAUSE UNDESIRABLE OPERATION.Maintenance WarningThe ªLow Tire Pressureº warning will illuminate
and stay on when one of your vehicle's tires drops
below 18 psi (124 kps). The warning light will also
come on and stay lit if the Pressure Alert System
has malfunctioned.
If this warning appears, check the pressure in your
tires at the earliest possible convenience and adjust
any tire that is low to the recommended air
pressure level. This information can be found on
theService Station Informationpage at the back of
this manual or on the driver's door placard.
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247
Tire RotationBecause your vehicle's front and rear tires perform
different jobs, they often wear differently. To make
sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the following diagram.
Do not include the spare tire as part of your
rotation.
For tire rotation intervals, see theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
Rotating the tires
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248
Replacingth e Tires
Becaus eyou rvehicle' stire sma ywea runevenly,
WARNING
Whe nreplacin gful lsiz etires ,never

249
Information About Tire Quality GradesNew vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded into
the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality Grades are
determined by standards that the United States
Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires
for use on passenger cars. They do not apply to
deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as
the government has written it.
TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction A B CThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A,
B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
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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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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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276Batteryq
Check and recharge as necessary.
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge is
maintained for quick starting. NOTE: If battery
cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to
reset any memory features (eg. radio presets).
Brakesq
Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully
released.
Tiresq
Maintain recommended air pressures.
Miscellaneousq
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis
pins under vehicle are covered with grease to
prevent rust.
q
Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15
days to lubricate working parts and prevent
corrosion.
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308
description............. 229
specifications............ 273
Brakes................ 171
adjustment............. 171
anti-lock.............. 171
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light........... 11
applying the brakes.......... 171
brake warning light.......... 10
fluid, checking and adding....... 229
fluid, refill capacities......229, 272
fluid, specifications.......... 273
front disc.............. 171
if brakes do not grip well....... 171
master cylinder........... 229
new brake linings........... 5
noise.............171, 172
parking............... 172
power braking............ 171
servicing.............. 229
trailer............... 188
when storing your vehicle....... 276Break-in period.............. 5
Brights (high beams).......... 15
Bulbs, replacing............ 261
halogen............... 261
headlamps.............. 262
C
Canada, customer assistance....... 284
Canada, warranty information....... 4
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).............. 285
Capacities for refilling fluids....... 272
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)........ 149
Cassette tape player (see Electronic sound
system)............... 32
Catalytic converter........... 258
CD player (see Electronic sound system) . . 35
Chains, tires.............. 250
Changing a tire............. 205
Charging system warning light...... 13
Childproof locks............ 103
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