automatic transmission LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1998 Owners Manual

POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories without locking the
steering wheel.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER CONTROLS
Rotate the windshield wiper control
to the desired interval, low or high
speed position.
The bars of varying length are for
intermittent wipers. When in this
position rotate the control upward
for fast intervals and downward for
slow intervals.
Push the control on the end of the
stalk to activate washer. Push and
hold for a longer wash cycle.
Windshield wiper/washer features
The exterior lamps will illuminate when the ignition is ON and the
windshield wiper control is in the interval, LO or HI position.
The instrument panel lighting will dim noticeably approximately
15 seconds after the wipers are turned on. The lights will remain in this
state until 30 seconds after the wipers are turned off.
3
1
2
5
4
OFFHI
LO
OFFHI
LO
Controls and features
34

1. By pressing the Information
control.
2. By pressing the Emergency
(S.O.S) control.
3. The system will automatically activate if the vehicle's air bags have
been deployed.
Quick summary
²To utilize your vehicle's RESCU system, your cellular phone must be
activated.
²Information or emergency assistance can be requested whenever your
key is in the RUN/START position and for six minutes after the vehicle
is turned off.
²An assistance request is initiated by pressing either the Information or
Emergency control located in the overhead console.
²When a control is pressed, a warning lamp located in the overhead
console will begin to flash and status messages are displayed on the
vehicle's message center (messages can only be displayed when the
key is in the RUN/START position).
²The vehicle's cellular phone automatically places a call to a 24 hour
emergency response center.
²When contact is made, the vehicle sends an electronic data message
to the response center's computer. This data message includes latitude
and longitude coordinates obtained from the vehicle's positioning
system.
²Once the data transmission is complete, the call is forwarded to a
response center operator who confirms your location using a
computerized map.
²The vehicle's cellular handset is locked-out, the phone is automatically
placed in the ªhands-freeº mode and voice communication is
established with the operator through the ªhands-freeº microphone.
INFO
i
S.O.S.
Controls and features
42

²INFORMATION REQUEST, EMERGENCY REQUEST or AIR BAG
REQUEST
²CALL IN PROGRESS
²RINGING RESPONSE CENTER
²SENDING LOCATION DATA
²DATA RECEIVED
²WAITING FOR OPERATOR
Once an assistance request is made, it will typically take less than one
minute until contact is made with an operator. During voice
communication the following messages will alternately toggle on the
display:
²CID XXXXXXXXXX
²LAT XXXXXXXXXX
²LON XXXXXXXXXX
²HDG XX
These messages respectively are the customer identification number,
vehicle latitude, vehicle longitude and heading. Under special conditions,
the operator may ask you to read the information being displayed on the
message center.
If vehicle messages are being displayed on the message center (low
washer fluid, low oil, door ajar, etc.), they must be cleared in order to
view the Lincoln RESCU messages. To clear the vehicle messages, press
the message center RESET control which is located to the right of the
display. Continue pressing the control until all messages are cleared.
Automatic redial
As described previously, when an assistance request is made, the
vehicle's cellular phone automatically dials the Lincoln Security Response
Center's central computer and attempts to send an electronic data
message. Occasionally, it can be difficult for the computer to recognize
the message if the cellular connection is weak or noisy. If the
transmission of the message is unsuccessful, the data call will be
terminated and the message ªREDIAL IN PROGRESSº will be displayed
on the message center. A second call will automatically be placed which
bypasses the response center's computer and is forwarded directly to an
operator.
Controls and features
46

Similarly, if the cellular call is disconnected by the network prior to
receipt of the termination tone, another call to the response center will
also automatically be dialed. The message ªREDIAL IN PROGRESSº will
be displayed on the message center and voice communication with an
operator will be restored.
During redial calls, full control of the cellular phone is returned to you.
Pressing either PWR or END on the cellular handset will terminate the
assistance request and reset the system.
Location data retransmit capability
During an activation, the Lincoln Security Response Center operator has
the capability to initiate a retransmission of the electronic data message.
This may be necessary to ensure a more precise determination of vehicle
location or to track a vehicle that is moving. To accomplish the
retransmit, a special tone is sent to the vehicle by the response center.
In this situation you will temporarily lose voice contact with the operator
and the messages ªSENDING LOCATION DATAº and ªDATA RECEIVEDº
will be respectively displayed on the message center. After the data
retransmission is complete, voice communication will be restored and the
CID, LAT, LON and HDG message will again alternately toggle on the
message center display.
Global positioning system
Vehicle location is continuously updated via Global Positioning System
(GPS) technology. GPS was developed by the U.S. Department of
Defense for worldwide navigational and positioning purposes. It utilizes a
constellation of 24 orbiting satellites located more than 20 000 km
(12 428 miles) above the earth. At any given time, several of the
24 satellites should be visible to the vehicle's GPS receiver. Based on the
time for signals emitted by these satellites to reach the receiver, an
on-board computer will determine the vehicle's location, typically within
30 meters (100 feet). In addition to latitude and longitude, the system
also determines heading and speed.
Vehicle positioning information is relayed to the Lincoln Security
Response Center only during roadside or emergency requests. The
response center will not be able to track your location while in an
inactive state.
Controls and features
47

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
Driving
106

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

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