service LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1998 User Guide

features and must be avoided. Operation is possible with no incoming
calls, call forwarding, busy/no answer transfer and call waiting, but these
features could impact overall system performance. Because carriers are
regularly making new features available to customers, this list may not be
complete. Contact you dealer for assistance if you are unsure if a
particular cellular feature is compatible with your Lincoln RESCU
System.
Potential limitations if activated outside home cellular region
At the time you receive your vehicle (or shortly after), you will need to
select a cellular carrier and activate your phone. If desired, carrier
selection can be arranged through your dealer. This carrier is usually
local to your region and will handle call processing and billing services
for your cellular telephone. In order to use your phone when traveling
outside your home cellular region, the services of the carriers local to the
new area will be required. If your home carrier does not have an
agreement with the new local carrier, your phone callas could be
forwarded to an operator and you maybe required to provide a credit
card number before your call is processed. If an activation occurs in this
situation, the initial call will be terminated and a second call which
bypasses the response center's computer will be placed.
Unlike during the first call attempt, your cellular handset will not be
locked during the second call, so you will have the option of terminating
the assistance request at any time by pushing either PWR or END on the
cellular phone. If the second call is not terminated, it will be forwarded
to a local cellular carrier operator. In this situation, you can provide the
operator with the number you are dialing (Lincoln Security Response
Center at 1±800±334±1327) and your credit card number or ask to be
connected to the local 911 or other emergency services.
Registration requirement
You are required to register with the Lincoln Security Response Center
shortly after receiving your vehicle. The registration process is simple
and can be accomplished by calling the Lincoln Security Response
Center at 1±800±334±1327. Alternatively, the registration process can be
completed on-line during an acquaintance period activation. (See
ªAcquaintance activationsº later in this section for details.) The
information requested will aid in servicing you more efficiently during an
assistance request.
Controls and features
50

Optional password selection/false activations
At the time of your registration, you will be given the option of
establishing a user password. All aspects of your service will be identical
regardless of your password decision except the way false emergency
activations are handled. If established, the password will be requested by
the operator to confirm an emergency activation was initialed in error. If
no password or an incorrect password is given, the response center's
operator will seemingly terminate the call but actually stays on the line
and sends police to the last calculated vehicle location (this could be
very useful in duress situations). It is very important that you remember
your password to prevent false dispatches. Similarly, it is also important
to provide the password to any other individuals who will be driving the
vehicle or who may have need to activate the system.
If you decide not to establish a password, simply indicate to the operator
that the emergency assistance request was initiated in error and the call
will be terminated.
In either case, if an activation (roadside or emergency) occurs and the
operator cannot establish voice communication, police assistance will be
dispatched to the vehicle.
Information regarding changing or retrieving lost passwords can be
obtained by contacting the Lincoln Security Response Center at
1±800±334±1327.
Acquaintance activations
It is required that you initiate an acquaintance activation shortly after
receiving your vehicle and having your phone activated. An acquaintance
activation is initiated by pressing either the roadside or emergency
control. When voice communication is established with the Lincoln
Security Response Center, indicate that you are a new user and the
operator will follow special acquaintance period support procedures
which are intended to familiarize you with your Lincoln RESCU System.
As described previously, the acquaintance call can also be used to
complete the registration for new customers.
Service charges
For four years, beginning with your vehicle's warranty period, you will be
entitled to unlimited activations without facing service charges. (These
activations should be made only when emergency or roadside assistance
is required.) You will be responsible, however, for any charges imposed
by your cellular phone carrier for the 1±800 phone call to the Lincoln
Controls and features
51

Security Response Center. After your initial service period expires, you
may be requires to pay a monitoring service fee. Your dealer can provide
you with specific information regarding post-initial service period fees.
Relinquishing your vehicle
At the time you relinquish your vehicle, it is important that you contact
the Lincoln Security Response Center at 1±800±223±1327 and cancel
your security service. Personal information provided to the response
center at the time of your registration will be removed from the vehicle's
file.
MOON ROOF (IF EQUIPPED)
To open the moon roof:
²Press and hold the control
forward to raise the moon roof to
the vent position (when the glass
panel is closed).
²Press the control rearward to
fully open the moon roof.
To close the moon roof:
²Press the control forward.
²To close from the vent position,
press and hold the control
rearward.
ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR
To turn on the visor mirror lamps,
lift the mirror cover.
HOMELINKTUNIVERSAL TRANSMITTER (IF EQUIPPED)
The HomeLinktUniversal Transmitter, located underneath the driver's
visor, provides a convenient way to replace up to three hand-held
transmitters with a single built-in device. This feature will learn the radio
frequency codes of most current transmitters to operate garage doors
Controls and features
52

AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
Important supplemental restraint system (SRS) precautions
The supplemental restraint system
is designed to:
²work with the safety belt to
protect the driver and right front
passenger.
²reduce certain upper body
injuries.
Failure to follow these instructions will affect the performance of
the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury.
The right front passenger air bag is not designed to restrain
occupants in the center front seating position.
All occupants of the vehicle including the driver should always
wear their safety belts even when air bag SRS is provided.
RESUME
SET ACCEL
COAST
OFF
ONMEM
BANDVOL
TEMP FAN
80
MPH km/h
ABS
P!BRAKE
+ –
RPMx1000NORMT/C
ACTIVECHEFFILL ON RIGHT
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON AIR
BAG ANTI
THEFT0 123456
7
0 2060
80
100
1200 204060100
120
140
160
180
200
40
000000.0
SYSTEM
DRIVER ID
MENU
TRIP
RESETSELECT
DISPLAY
DTE ECONVEHICLE HANDLINGNITNOCLATNE
OFFHI
LOVOL
PUSH ONTAPE
MUTESEEK
TUNE
AM
FM
REW
FFSIDE 1 2
COMP
SHUFF
EXT
OFFMAX
A/CCDEJ
RDS
SCAN AUTO
AUTO
123
4
56FRONT
REAR
BASS
TREBSELBAL
FADE
HIHI
OFF OFFBACK
BOTH BOTHBACK00
P0FFLIGHTS
AUTO
LAMP
SRS
HEATED SEATS
Seating and safety restraints
80

Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag
cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas that may come
into contact with a deploying air bag. Failure to follow this instruction
may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Children and air bags
For additional important safety
information, read all information on
safety restraints in this guide.
Children should always wear their
safety belts. Failure to follow these
instructions may increase the risk of
injury in a collision.
Air bag can kill or injure a
child in a child seat. If you
must use a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat, move seat
all the way back.
How does the air bag
supplemental restraint system work?
The SRS is designed to activate
when the vehicle sustains sufficient
longitudinal deceleration.
The fact that the air bags did not
inflate in a collision does not mean
that something is wrong with the
system. Rather, it means the forces
were not of the type sufficient to
cause activation.
Seating and safety restraints
81

section in theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the air
bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
Important child restraint precautions
You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S.
and Canada. If small children ride in your vehicle (generally children who
are four years old or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs] or less), you
must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Check your
local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the
safety of children in your vehicle.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from
injury in a collision.
Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or
child restraint you might use.
When possible, place children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident
statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seating position.
AIR
BAG
Seating and safety restraints
83

Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the light (
) will not illuminate.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5 (START)
without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will return to
4 (ON).
2. If the engine does not start within five seconds, wait ten seconds and
try again.
3. If the engine does not start in two attempts or if the temperature is
below -12ÉC (10ÉF), depress the accelerator and start the engine while
holding the accelerator down. Release the accelerator when the engine
starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake and release the parking
brake.
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
P R N D 3 1
3
2
1
5
4
Starting
92

Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster and allows the heater-defroster
system to respond quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach -23ÉC
(-10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours will not harm
the engine, so the heater can be plugged in the night before starting the
vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is present in exhaust
fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle,
have your dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do
not drive if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and
could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service.
²the sound of the exhaust system changes.
²the vehicle has been damaged in a collision.
Starting
93

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the ªService Guideº for scheduled
maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
while braking, felt mainly in the steering wheel, the vehicle most likely
needs service.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock up during brake
applications and compensating for
this tendency. The front wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during
hard braking.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster illuminates for about
five seconds when starting the vehicle. If an ABS fault is detected, the
Driving
95

light will remain on and your vehicle should be serviced as soon as
possible.
Normal braking is still effective
unless the BRAKE warning lamp is
also illuminated.
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the ABS is
required, apply continuous full force on the brake. The ABS will be
activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full steering control
of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will enable you
to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking
technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
Parking brake with auto-release
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked.
To set the parking brake:
1. Move the gearshifter to P (Park).
2. Push pedal downward.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the parking brake is fully released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving vehicle. However, if
the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop your
vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the rear
brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
P!
BRAKE
BRAKE RELEASEHOOD
Driving
96