transmission LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1998 User Guide

coolant concentration above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme climates.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid at
least twice a year. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F
power steering fluid.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge will be near the
center of the NORMAL band).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking and adding automatic transmission fluid
Follow the scheduled service intervals outlined in the ªService Guide.º
Maintenance and care
134

Before adding any fluid,make sure the correct type is used. The
type of fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and/or dipstick
handle and also in theLubricant specificationssection in the
Capacities and specificationschapter.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid level is below the hole at the bottom
of the dipstick and outside temperatures are above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Your transmission does not use up fluid. However, it is recommended
that you check the transmission fluid at least twice a year. The fluid level
should be checked if the transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperatures
66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal operating
temperature can be reached after approximately 32 km (20 miles) of
driving.
If your vehicle has been operated for an extended period at high speeds,
in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should
be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow the fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
2. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
5. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
6. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. The fluid level should
be in the crosshatched area on the
dipstick.
7. If necessary, add fluid in .25L (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
P R N D 3 1
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
Maintenance and care
135

8. If an overfill occurs, excess fluid should be removed by a qualified
technician.An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
If the fluid level is above the crosshatch (hot operating range) area after
driving the vehicle for approximately 30 km (20 miles), excess
transmission fluid should be removed by a qualified technician.
BATTERY
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
Superstart maintenance-free battery.
If the original equipment battery
needs replacing, it may be replaced
with a low-maintenance battery. The
low-maintenance battery normally
does not require additional water
during its life of service. However,
for severe usage or in high
temperature climates, check your
battery electrolyte level, at least
every 24 months or 40,000 km
(24,000 miles). Keep the electrolyte
in each cell up to the ªlevelº
indicator. Do not overfill the battery
cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery cells with
distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the charging
system checked.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminal(s) and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when
you are done cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the
top of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion.
Maintenance and care
136

Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
ENGINE NUMBER
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block, transmission, frame and
transfer case (if so equipped).
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AIR BAG
Capacities and specifications
165

Speed control ..............................36
canceling a set speed ...............39
resuming a set speed ...............39
tap up/tap down .......................38
turning off .................................37
Speedometer ...............................10
Starting your vehicle .............90,92
Sunvisor .......................................52
Tachometer
mechanical cluster ...................11
Tilt steering wheel ......................40
Tires ....................................142,144
changing ..................................119
checking the pressure ............144
replacing ..................................145
rotating ....................................144
snow tires and chains ............145
treadwear ................................143
Traction control
off light ........................................9
Trailer towing ............................105
tips ...........................................107
Transaxle .....................................99
automatic operation .......100,101,
102,103
Transmission .............................134
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................134
Trunk
using the remote entry
system to open .........................66
Turn signal
lever ...........................................35
Universal transmitter ..................52
erasing channels .......................55
operating ...................................54
programming .............................53
Vehicle dimensions ...................163
Vehicle headlamp aiming
device (VHAD) .........................152
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................165Vehicle loading ..........................104
Ventilating your vehicle .............94
Warning chimes .............................6
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts ..................121
Windows
accessory delay .........................60
power windows, operating .......59
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....131
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................139
operation ...................................34
Wrecker towing .........................124
Index
169

Recommended fuel Unleaded fuel only - 91 octane
(R+M/2)
Fuel tank capacity 75.7L (20.0 gallons)
Engine oil capacity
(with filter change)5.7L (6.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
5W30 Super Premium Motor Oil,
Ford Specification WSS-M2C153-G
Automatic transaxle fluid capacity 13.0L (13.7 quarts). Use
Motorcraft MerconyVATF
(part# XT-5-QM), Ford
Specification WSS-M2C202-B
Tire size and pressure Refer to Tire Pressure Decal on
passenger's door panel
Hood release Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel
Coolant capacity 13.5L (14.25 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line in reservoir
Ensure correct automatic transmission fluid is used for a specific
application. Check the container to verify the fluid is MERCONtand/or
MERCON Vtapproved. Some fluids have been approved as meeting both
MERCONtand MERCONtV requirements and will be labeled as such.
Fluids labeled as meeting only MERCONtor only MERCONtV
requirements must not be used interchangeably. DO NOT mix MERCONt
and MERCONtV. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the
dipstick or on the dipstick handle. Refer to your ªService Guideº to
determine the correct service interval.
Filling station information
176