LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1998 Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 3
Controls and features 26
Seating and safety restraints 71
Starting and driving
Starting 90
Driving 95
Roadside emergencies 109
Servicing
Maintenance and care 126
Capacities and specifications 160
Reporting safety defects 166
Index 167
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including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval
system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright
r1997 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section onWarningsfor a
full explanation.
Indicates vehicle information related
to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards
protecting the environment.
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information which may reduce the risk of personal
injury and prevent possible damage to others, your vehicle and its
equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the
first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes for the first 1 600 km
(1 000 miles).
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing.
Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring
obligation.
Introduction
2

Instrumentation
3

RESUME
SET ACCEL
COAST
OFF
ON
80
MPH km/h
ABS
P!BRAKE
+ Ð
RPMx1000NORM
T/C
OFF
CHEF
FILL ON RIGHT
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON AIR
BAG TURN ON
HEAD
LAMPS0 123456
7
0 2060
80
100
1200 204060100
120
140
160
180
200
40
OFFHI
LO
P0FFLIGHTS
AUTO
LAMP
SRS
Headlamp control
(pg. 26)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer control
(pg. 35)Instrument cluster
(pg. 6)
Driver air bag
(pg. 80) Speed control
(pg. 36) Instrument panel
dimmer switch
(pg. 27) Auto lamp
(pg. 27)
Instrumentation
4

NEXT
MODEVOL
TEMP FAN
000000.0
SYSTEM
DRIVER ID
MENU
TRIP
RESET
SELECT
DISPLAY
DTE ECON
VEHICLE HANDLING
NITNOCLATNE
VOL
PUSH ON
TAPE
MUTESEEK
TUNE
AM
FM
REW
FFSIDE 1 2
COMP
SHUFF
EXT
OFFMAX
A/CCDEJ
RDS
SCAN AUTO
AUTO
123
4
56
FRONT
REAR
BASS
TREBSELBAL
FADE
HIHI
OFF OFFBACK
BOTH BOTHBACK00
HEATED SEATS
Electronic sound system
control
(pg. 35)Message Center
(pg. 12)Clock
(pg. 33)Electronic sound
system; refer to
Audio Guide
(pg. 33)
Climate control
systems
(pg. 27) Heated seat
control*
(pg. 73) Climate controls*
(pg. 36)
*if equipped
Instrumentation
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Service engine soon
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System
(OBD II). This OBD II system
protects the environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to
meet government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
TheService Engine Soonindicator light illuminates when the ignition is
first turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the
engine is started, one of the engine's emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern
being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
What you should do if the Service Engine Soon light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourService Engine Soonlight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
80
MPH km/h
ABS
P!BRAKE
+ –
RPMx1000NORM
T/C
OFF
CHEF
FILL ON RIGHT
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON AIR
BAG TURN ON
HEAD
LAMPS0 123456
7
0 2060
80
100
120
0 204060100
120
140
160
180
200
40
000000.0
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
6

These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening
the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other
temporary malfunctions present, theService Engine Soonlight should
turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by
mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theService Engine Soonlight remains on, have your vehicle serviced
at the first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to remind you to fasten your safety
belts. For more information, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the position ON
and the engine is off. Also
illuminates when the parking brake
is engaged. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level.
AIR
BAG
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
7

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. If the light
remains on, continues to flash or
fails to illuminate, have the system
serviced immediately.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Turn on headlamps
Illuminates to remind the driver to
turn the headlamps on when:
²the daytime running lamps are on
²the autolamps are off
²the autolamp sensor determines it
is nighttime
Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
ABS
TURN ON
HEAD
LAMPS
Instrumentation
8

Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and
add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and Care
chapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off.
Traction ControlYoff light
Illuminates when the Traction
Controlysystem has been disabled
(by the driver or as a result of a
system failure). For more
information, refer to theDriving
chapter.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to theSeating and
safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and either front door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and either front door is opened.
Turn signal chime
Sounds when the turn signal lever has been activated to signal a turn.
T/ C
OFF
Instrumentation
9

GAUGES
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF position while
the vehicle is being refueled. When
the gauge first indicates empty,
there is a small amount of reserve
fuel in the tank. When refueling the
vehicle from empty indication, the amount of fuel that can be added will
be less than the advertised capacity due to the reserve fuel.
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
Odometer
The odometer is located in the message center. It registers the total
kilometers (miles) of the vehicle. Pressing the E/M control will alternate
between English (miles) and Metric (kilometers) measurements.
80
MPH km/h
ABS
P!BRAKE
+ –
RPMx1000NORM
T/C
OFF
CHEF
FILL ON RIGHT
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON AIR
BAG TURN ON
HEAD
LAMPS0 123456
7
0 2060
80
100
120
0 204060100
120
140
160
180
200
40
000000.0
EF
FILL ON RIGHT
80
MPH km/h0 2060
80
100
1200 204060100
120
140
160
180
200
40
Instrumentation
10