tires LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1998 Owners Manual

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.).
Driving
105

Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp Rating Description
8 30A* Front Passenger
Window
1 - A/C Diode
2 - PCM Diode
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate hazard flashers and set parking brake.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park).
3. Remove the spare tire, jack and
lug wrench.
4. Remove the center ornament
from the aluminum wheel with the
tapered end of the wheel nut
wrench that came with your vehicle.
Insert and twist the handle, then
pry against the wheel.
Roadside emergencies
119

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:
Maintenance and care
140

²do not exceed 90 km/h (55 mph). Drive at a reduced rate of speed, if
possible.
²avoid excessive hard steering and braking maneuvers, if possible.
²stop periodically to allow the tires to cool down.
Pressure alert system (if equipped)
Each of your SecuriTires is
monitored by a low tire pressure
sensor. A warning will appear in the
overhead console when the pressure
in one of your tires drops below
acceptable levels or if the system
has malfunctioned.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC rules and with RS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2)
This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Maintenance warning
The LOW TIRE PRESSURE warning will illuminate and stay on when one
of your vehicle's tires drops below 124 kPa (18 psi). The warning light
will also come on and stay lit if the Pressure Alert System has
malfunctioned.
If this warning appears, check the pressure in your tires as soon as
possible and adjust any tire that is low to the recommended air pressure
level.
If the warning remains on after you have adjusted the tires to the
recommended air pressure levels, take your vehicle to an authorized
Lincoln/Mercury dealer for service.
Flat tire warning
If the sensors detect a tire pressure lower than 68 kPa (10 psi), the LOW
TIRE PRESSURE warning will appear in the overhead console and the
message WARNING LOW TIRE PRESSURE will be displayed in the
message center, indicating an impending flat tire. If this condition occurs,
ROOF
LOW TIRE
PRESSURE
OPEN
Maintenance and care
141

your SecuriTire requires service as soon as possible. Refer toServicing
your SecuriTires.
The Pressure Alert System will activate only when the vehicle is moving
faster than 15 km/h (10 mph).
Servicing your SecuriTires
If you cannot service your SecuriTire immediately, replace it with your
temporary spare as soon as safely possible.
Your temporary spare tire can be used until your SecuriTire has been
repaired.
It is recommended that you always have your SecuriTires serviced by an
authorized Michelin tire dealer.Each SecuriTire is equipped with a
pressure sensor around the wheel rim. This sensor could be
damaged when removing and installing the tire.Servicing a
SecuriTire at locations other than your Michelin tire dealer may
adversely affect your warranty.
If you have questions concerning your SecuriTires or servicing, pleas call
the Michelin Tire Information Line at 1-800-847-3435 or contact your
local Michelin tire dealer.
INFORMATION ABOUT TIRE QUALITY GRADES
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have their Tire Quality Grade
(described below) molded into the
tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by standards
that the United States Department
of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. They do not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Maintenance and care
142

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire grade 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
grade 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are A, B, and C, and they
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Maintenance and care
143

SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km
(3 miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the right rear door
jamb.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the ªService Guide.º If you notice that the tires
wear unevenly, have them checked.
²Four tire rotation
Maintenance and care
144

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose control and roll
over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
Do not use any type of tire chains on this vehicle. This includes both
conventional and cable-type chains.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide traction in
rain or snow. However, during the winter months in some climates, you
may need to use snow tires.
Maintenance and care
145

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