air condition LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1999 User Guide

If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
SeeMessage Centerin theInstrumentationchapter.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked by your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance during:
²certain road conditions
²steering maneuvers
²braking
²accelerations
This system keeps the rear of your vehicle at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the springs.
Driving
124

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
trailer's lamps, see your Lincoln dealer. Be sure to follow their
instructions carefully.
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you may cause damage to the
vehicle's lighting system or other vehicle systems.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Shift out of D (Overdrive) and into 3 (Third) or a lower gear when
towing up or down steep hills. This will eliminate excessive
downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel economy and transaxle
cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your maintenance guide and or
service guide for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Driving
134

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a Scheduled Maintenance Guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
necessary parts and service. Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing, jewelry or long hair
away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained in
theBatterysection in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake, and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in
park.
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Maintenance and care
152

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:
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
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.
ROOF
LOW TIRE
PRESSURE
OPEN
Maintenance and care
169

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,
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, please
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.
Maintenance and care
170

Vehicles certified to meet California emission standards (indicated on the
underhood Vehicle Emissions Control Information label) are designed to
operate on California cleaner-burning, low-sulfur gasolines. If you have a
California-certified vehicle and California cleanerÐburning gasoline is not
available when you refuel, your engine should perform adequately.
However, the performance of the emission control devices and systems
may be adversely affected. In New York and Massachusetts, which have
adopted California's emission standards without requiring the sale of
California cleaner-burning gasoline, repairs to correct the effects of using
non-California fuel may not be covered by the emissions warranty.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing (MMT).
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªPremiumº gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or
higher for optimum performance.
Gasolines with lower octane ratings
can be used, but performance may decrease. We do not recommend the
use of gasolines labeled as ªPremiumº in high altitude areas that are sold
with octane ratings of less than 91.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªPremiumº
unleaded gasoline. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) issued a
fuel specification to provide information on high quality fuels that
optimize the performance of your vehicle. We recommend the use of
fuels that meet the AAMA specification if they are available.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel.
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
177

Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
economy. Additionally, keeping records during summer and winter will
show how temperature impacts fuel economy. In general, lower
temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling at 105 km /h [65 mph] uses 15%
more fuel than traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Use of the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²Use of speed control (if equipped) may improve fuel economy. Speed
control can help maintain a constant speed and reduce speed changes.
You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain as
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gears may occur and
could result in reduced fuel economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
Maintenance and care
180

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
Maintenance and care
183

Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use cleaning fluid or
alcohol with a clean cloth to remove any bugs and tar before waxing
vehicle. Use tar remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have wax applied at a
commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper blades
and windshield as described inCleaning the wiper blades and
windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
touch-up paint, repair foil or aerosol paint spray from the Ford accessory
line. Observe the application instructions on the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or
other engine components.
Maintenance and care
191

Accessory delay ..........................75
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................101
and child safety seats ............102
description .......................101,105
disposal ....................................107
indicator light ..................105,107
passenger air bag ............103,106
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ...........26,27,28,30
Air filter, cabin ..........................166
Air suspension
warning light ...........................124
Anti-theft system .................79,122
arming the system ....................79
disarming a triggered system ..80
Automatic transaxle .................125
driving with ...............127,128,129
Automatic transmission
fluid, refill capacities ................12
Brakes ........................................120
anti-lock ............................120,121
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................121
fluid, checking and adding ....157
shift interlock ..........................125
Break-in period .............................3
CD player .....................44,45,46,47
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..114
in rear seat ..............................111
tether anchorage hardware ...114
Cleaning your vehicle ...............190
engine compartment ..............191
exterior .............................191,193
exterior lamps .........................192
plastic parts ............................192
washing ....................................190
waxing .....................................191
wheels ......................................191
windows ..................................194wiper blades ............................192
woodtone trim ........................194
Clock ............................................32
Compass, electronic ....................71
calibration .................................72
set zone adjustment .................71
Console ...................................78,79
overhead ....................................55
Controls
power seat ............................92,94
Coolant ...............................160,161
checking and adding ..............159
refill capacities ........................161
Defrost
rear window ..............................31
Emission control system ..........182
Engine
coolant .....................................158
idle speed control ...................164
service points ..........................153
starting after a collision .........135
Engine block heater .................118
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............155
dipstick ....................................154
specifications ...................154,156
Exhaust fumes ..........................118
Floor mats ...................................79
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........176
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................181
detergent in fuel .....................178
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................174,176
fuel filler door override ............78
fuel filler door release lever ....78
gauge .........................................10
quality ......................................177
running out of fuel .................178
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................174
Index
202