tow LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1998 User Guide

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower weight capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher weight limit than the
originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. Refer to the
following chart for towing limits:
Towing classLight duty
Maximum gross trailer weight454/907 kg (1 000/2 000 lbs.)*
Maximum tongue load45/91 kg (100/200 lbs.)
Engine4.6L
Hitch designLoad carrying type
Trailer-tow package optionNot required
* Vehicle speed should not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) when towing on
grades. Limit maximum gross trailer weight to 454 kg (1 000 lbs.) and
maximum tongue load to 45 kg (100 lbs.): (1) when you are towing a
trailer on steep hills or on moderate hills for distances longer than
8 km (5 miles) or more and; (2) on very hot days (when the
temperature is above 38ÉC [100ÉF]).
Your vehicle does not come from the factory fully equipped to tow.
However, you can contact your local Lincoln dealer to get the proper
towing equipment. Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 3 200 km (2 000 miles).
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components
carefully after towing.
Do not tow a trailer when using a temporary spare tire.
The amount of weight your loaded trailer should be no more than 907 kg
(2 000 lbs.).
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Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10 ± 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the vehicle. To connect the
trailer's safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR
Trailer lamps
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system directly to your vehicle's
lighting system. To get the proper equipment for hooking up your
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trailer's lamps, see your Lincoln dealer. Be sure to follow their
instructions carefully.
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause damage to the
vehicle's lighting system or other vehicle systems.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Shift out of D (Overdrive) and into 3 (Third) or a lower gear when
towing up or down steep hills. This will eliminate excessive
downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel economy and transaxle
cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule in your
ªService Guideº for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
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5. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground. Refer to
Anti-theft lug nutsfor information
on removing anti-theft lug nuts.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior to
jacking, hoisting or towing your
vehicle.
Refer toAir suspension systemin
theDrivingchapter for more
information.
6. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the door closest to the tire
you are changing. Turn the jack
handle clockwise until the wheel is
completely off the ground.
7. Remove the lug nuts with the lug
wrench.
8. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub.
Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
9. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
OFF
Roadside emergencies
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Removing the jumper cables
1. Remove the jumper cables in
reverse order. Take the cable off the
alternator mounting brace stud (1)
first, followed by the cable on the
negative (-) booster battery terminal
(2).
2. Remove the cable from the
positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery (3) and then the discharged
battery (4).
3. After the disabled vehicle has
been started, allow it to idle for a
while so the engine can ªrelearnº its
idle conditions.
WRECKER TOWING
+–
+–
4
1
2
3
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If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center. It is
recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment.
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what kind of vehicle you
have. A towing manual is available from Ford Motor Company for all
authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow truck driver refer to this
manual for proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
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125

3. Pull the rubber cowl seal
(number 1 in figure) away from the
cowl vent screen. Remove the right
half of the cowl vent screen
(number 2 in figure) by placing your
hand underneath the cowl vent
screen and lifting straight up to
release the four spring clips.
4. Remove the water shield (number
3 in figure) by disengaging the two
water shield locking tabs (number 4
in figure), then sliding the water
shield toward the front of the
vehicle. After the locking tabs are
disengaged from the water shield,
lift the water shield up and away
from the vehicle.
5. Remove the filter. Reverse the
procedure to install the new filter.
Be careful when installing the new filter. Avoid bending or tearing the
filter and make sure it is fully seated in its mounting location after
installation.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when they seem less
effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.2
1
34
Maintenance and care
139

Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
Changing the wiper blades
When replacing wiper blade assemblies, always use a Motorcraft part or
equivalent. To make replacing the wipers easy, turn the ignition to ACC,
then turn the wipers on. When the wipers reach the vertical position,
turn the ignition to LOCK.
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
windshield and lock into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Push the lock pin
with a screwdriver to release the
blade and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
SECURITIRE (IF EQUIPPED)
SecuriTires are designed to allow you to continue driving your vehicle a
limited number of miles when one of your vehicle's tires is at low or even
zero air pressure.
At zero pressure, the SecuriTires will provide you with a minimum
driving capability of approximately 30 km (20 miles). How you drive and
the actual amount of air pressure left in your tires will determine exactly
how many miles can be driven.
To extend the mileage and help prevent damage to low or deflated tires:
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140

the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ªcheck engine/service
engine soonº light is on, reference the applicable light description in the
Warning Lights and Chimessection of your owners guide. Your vehicle
may not pass the I/M test with the ªcheck engine/service engine soonº
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop and go, city type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing headlamp bulbs
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of
children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position.
2. Lift the hood and remove the plastic sight shield covering the back of
the headlamps by lifting up on the rear corners to release the velcro
attachments. Lift the shield and pull towards the windshield.
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²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a tar remover if
necessary. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of your vehicle. Use glass
cleaner or tar remover if necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the windshield and wiper
blades with undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild detergent.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the blades, do not
use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection.
Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belts, because
these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system periodically to make sure there are no
nicks, wear or cuts. If your vehicle has been involved in an accident,
refer to theSafety belt maintenancesection in theSeating and safety
restraintschapter.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
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