LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1999 Owners Manual

²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
2 km/h [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollover/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Use of fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Flat terrain driving improves fuel economy over hilly roads.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of Km/L (MPG) expected on
the vehicle, depending upon the driver's method of operation and
conditions.
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EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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.
Illumination of the charging system warning light, ªService Engine Soonº
light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke
or loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
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182

Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, items, sells,
leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not permitted
to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it from
working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on 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, refer to the description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. 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.
REPLACING EXTERIOR BULBS
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
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183

²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be replaced immediately. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
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 protective cover from the top of the
headlamps by lifting up on the rear corners and release the velcro
attachments. Lift the cover and pull towards the windshield.
3. At the back of the headlamp, pull
back slightly and up on the two
retainer pins to release the
headlamp assembly from the vehicle
and pull headlamp forward.
4. Remove the protective dust shield
from the housing by turning the
dust shield counterclockwise (when
viewed from the rear).
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184

5. Release clip and disconnect the
electrical connector from the bulb.
6. Remove the bulb retaining ring by
rotating it counterclockwise.
7. Remove the old bulb from the
lamp assembly by pulling it straight
out of the lamp assembly.
To install the new bulb:
1. Install the new bulb in lamp assembly by pushing straight in with the
bulb's plastic base facing upward. You may need to turn the bulb slightly
to align the grooves in the plastic base with the tabs in the lamp
assembly.
2. Install the bulb retaining ring over the plastic base and lock the ring
by rotating clockwise until it snaps into place.
3. Connect the electrical connector to the bulb.
4. Install the protective dust shield and lock the shield by rotating it
clockwise until it locks into position.
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185

5. Carefully position the headlamp assembly onto the vehicle making sure
the alignment pins are inserted into the proper holes.
6. Hold the headlamp assembly snugly against the vehicle and push down
on the retainer pins to lock the lamp into place.
7. Before reinstalling the protective cover, make sure the cover tabs are
fully seated under the grille molding.
8. Turn the headlamps on and make sure they work properly. If the
headlamp was correctly aligned before you changed the bulb, you should
not need to align it again.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal/cornering lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp control is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood and remove the protective cover from the top of the
headlamps by lifting up on the rear corners and release the velcro
attachments. Lift the cover and pull towards the windshield.
3. At the back of the headlamp, pull
back and up slightly on the two
retainer pins to release the
headlamp assembly from the vehicle
and pull headlamp forward.
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise about
1¤4turn and
remove from lamp assembly.
5. Carefully pull bulb straight out of
the socket and push in the new
bulb.
6. To complete installation, follow the removal procedure in reverse
order.
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186

High-mount brakelamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing tail lamp/backup bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing the interior bulbs
Check the operation of the following interior bulbs frequently:
²interior overhead lamp
²map lamp
Using the right bulbs
Function Trade Number
Headlamp 9007
Cornering lamp (front) 3156K
Backup lamp 3457K
High-mount brakelamp 912
Park/turn lamp (front) 3157K
License plate lamp 168
Luggage compartment lamp (decklid ajar) 912
Side marker (front) 194NA
Side marker (rear) 916
Stoplamp and tail lamp 3157K
Redundant turn lamp (rear) 3157K
Glovebox lamp 194
Ash receptacle 1445
Ash tray (rear) 37
Cigar lighter (console) 1893
Door mounted lamp (front) 214-2
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187

Function Trade Number
Illuminated visor mirror 74
Overhead console reading lamp (without moon roof) 912
Passenger assist handle (rear seat) 211-2
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your dealer.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
Your vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle Headlamp Aim Device (VHAD)
on each headlamp. Each headlamp may be properly aimed in the vertical
(up/down) and the horizontal (left/right) directions using your VHAD
system. The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the
assembly plant.
A bubble (vertical indicator) that is not centered between the two red
lines does not necessarily indicate out-of-aim headlamps. If your vehicle
is not positioned on a level surface, the slope will be included in the
vertical indication. Therefore, vertical and horizontal headlamp
adjustment should be performed only when the beam direction appears
to be incorrect.
You will need one 4 mm wrench or socket to make the adjustments.
If the vehicle has been in an accident, the vehicle's front structure
should be properly aligned before aiming the headlamps.
Horizontal aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. With the hood open, remove the
protective cover, locate the
horizontal indicator and the
adjusting screw. They are located at
the rear of the headlamp assembly.
U
D
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188

3.Usea4mmwrench or socket to
turn the horizontal adjusting screw
until the ª0º mark on the yellow dial
lines up with the reference mark on
the marker (as shown) when viewed
directly from above.
Turning the horizontal adjusting
screw in the direction of the arrow
changes the horizontal aim as
shown.
Vertical aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. With the hood open, remove the
protective cover, then locate the
bubble level and the vertical
adjustment screw. The adjustment
screw is located on the outboard
side of the headlamp.
U
D
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189

3. The ªUº and ªDº on the bubble
indicate the directional change (up
or down) of the vertical aim.
4.Usea4mmwrench or socket to
turn the vertical adjusting screw
until the bubble is centered between
the two red lines which represents
the ª0º mark position.
When the horizontal and vertical indicators are set to the ª0º mark, the
headlamp has been properly aimed.
5. Install the protective cover.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the ªCustomer Assistance Guideº for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of water
for best results. To avoid spots,
avoid washing when the hood is still
warm, immediately after or during
exposure to strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to wash the vehicle on a
regular basis. Large quantities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove and also cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car
wash. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it
is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.D U
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