fuel LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1998 Owners Manual

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

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

System check
Pressing this control causes the
message center to cycle through a
status of each of the systems being
monitored. For each of the monitored systems, the message center will
indicate either an OK message or a warning message for three seconds.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
²voltage level
²engine temperature
²oil level
²engine coolant level
²washer fluid level
²doors closed (driver and passenger side). This message can only be
reset by closing the door(s). If the RESET control is pressed, PLEASE
CLOSE DOOR will be displayed.
²trunk closed
²exterior lamps (front turn, brake and tail)
²fuel level
²distance to empty
²traction control
²ride control
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle's operating systems.
The message center will display the
last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows
you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
SYSTEM
RESET
Instrumentation
13

Door Ajar Cannot be reset
Driver's Door Ajar
Check Engine Temp Warning returns after 10 minutes
Transmission Overheat
Check Transmission
Low Oil Level
Check Charging System
Low Fuel Level
Low Engine Coolant
Low Tire Pressure (if equipped)
Gear Display Data ERR Warning reappears after key is
turned from OFF to ON
Brake Lamp Out
Check Traction Control
Check Ride Control
Trunk Ajar
Check Steering Assist
Low Washer Fluid
Air Leveling Disabled
Tail Lamp Out
Check FRT Turn Lamps
Turn on Headlamps
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into two categories:
²They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
²They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed. This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still
exist within the vehicle.
TRIP
Press this control to display the first
of two trip odometers. Press it again
to display the second trip odometer.
To reset the displayed trip
odometer, press the RESET control.
TRIP
RESET
Instrumentation
14

DTE/ECON
²Press the DTE/ECON control
once to display the approximately
how far you can drive before
running out of fuel, or the
distance to empty (DTE). To ensure accuracy, turn the ignition OFF
when you fill the tank.
²Press the DTE/ECON control a second time to display the average fuel
economy in liters/100 kilometers or miles/gallon, based on distance
traveled and rate of fuel used information.
²To reset this feature, press the
RESET control while average fuel
economy is displayed (while you
are driving).
DTE is calculated using a running average fuel economy initialized by the
factory. This value is not the same as the average fuel economy display.
The running average fuel economy is based on more than 800 kilometers
(500 miles) of driving history, and is reinitialized if the battery is
disconnected.
If the FUEL LEVEL ERROR message is displayed, there is a problem
with the fuel indication system and you should contact your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
E/M (if equipped)
Press this control to switch the
odometer and the message center
display from metric (kilometers) to
English (miles) units, and to change
the temperature indication on the climate control unit.
DRIVER ID (if equipped)
Press this control to set vehicle
comfort settings for up to two
drivers. Seat and mirror position and
vehicle handling characteristics can
be set with this control.
DTE ECON
RESET
E/M
DRIVER ID
Instrumentation
15

RESET
Press this control to reset:
²warnings
²average fuel economy
²trip odometers
The other selectable features are unaffected by pressing RESET.
DISPLAY
Press this control to turn the
message center display off. Press it
again to turn the display on.
Warnings override an off display and
must be reset for the display to be off again.
VEHICLE HANDLING
Press this control once to adjust
RIDE CONTROL SETTINGS
(if equipped) between NORMAL,
PLUSH and FIRM. This feature
cannot be adjusted on vehicles not
equipped with the Driver Select System.
Press this control a second time to adjust the STEERING EFFORT
SETTINGS between NORMAL, LOW and HIGH.
Press the SELECT control to change
these settings while in VEHICLE
HANDLING mode. The combination
of firm ride control (if equipped)
and low steering effort is undesirable and cannot be selected.
MENU
Press this control to change various
convenience settings throughout the
vehicle. Each press of the MENU
control will display a different
convenience setting as follows:
Save to driver (if equipped)
This allows you to select driver setting one, two or off.
RESET
DISPLAY
VEHICLE HANDLING
SELECT
MENU
Instrumentation
16

Press the control to turn the mirror
on or off. The mirror will
automatically return to the normal
state whenever the vehicle is placed
in R (reverse)(when the mirror is
on) to ensure a bright clear view
when backing up.
Do not clean the housing or glass of
any mirror with harsh abrasives, fuel
or other petroleum-based cleaning
products.
On vehicles equipped with a moonroof, the automatic rear view mirror
has two map lamps. Refer toInterior lightsfor more information.
POWER DOOR LOCKS
Press U to unlock all doors and L to
lock all doors.
Smart locks
With the key in the ignition, in any
switch position, and either the
driver's or passenger's door open,
the doors cannot be locked using
the front door lock switches.
While the key is in the ignition, the
vehicle can be locked by manually
pressing down the lock control or
with remote entry transmitter.
AUTO
U
L
U
L
Controls and features
58

PREPARING TO START YOUR VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the ignition system. This system meets
all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard requirements
regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle revolutions per minute
(RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have
the vehicle checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten
minutes at fast rpm.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and safety restraintschapter.
Starting
90

Your vehicle has an automatic parking brake release. To release the
parking brake:
1. Turn the ignition to the RUN position.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshifter from the P (Park) position to one of the forward
gears (the parking brake will not release automatically when you shift
into reverse). The brake pedal must remain pressed while the gearshifter
is moved.
If the parking brake fails to release
after completing this procedure, use
the manual parking brake release
lever.
Pull the lever to manually release
the parking brake.
TRACTION CONTROLY
Traction Controlyhelps maintain the stability and steerability of your
vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces. The
system operates by detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system
borrows many of the electronic and mechanical elements already present
in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess front wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlyportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the front
brakes in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque
reduction is realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection
systems. This process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast
acting. The front wheels ªsearchº for optimum traction several times a
second and adjustment are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice
covered roads.
During Traction Controlyoperation, TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE is
displayed on the message center. You may hear an electric motor type of
BRAKE RELEASEHOOD
Driving
97