coolant level LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 2000 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Introduction
5

This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
The electronic message center only
works when the ignition is in the
ON position.
The message center tells you about
the condition of your vehicle by two
methods:
²operator selectable features
²continuous warning reporting of
monitored systems
You can select different features for
the message center to display by
using the message center controls
located to the right of the instrument
cluster. You will hear a tone when you press one of these controls.
However, the message center will display the appropriate warning message
if it detects a warning from any of the monitored systems.
If you have a vehicle with the Driver
Select System, which allows you to
save operator selectable features to
DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2, you have a
DRIVER ID control in place of the E/M control.
The message center will display theMemory Profile Systemfeatures
(operator selectable features) which are selected from the MENU and
VEHICLE HANDLING controls.
The Memory Profile System allows for two primary drivers to save their
individual seat and outside rearview mirror position preferences. The
feature will then be set to the remote entry transmitter, that will
automatically recall the saved individualized preferences. Refer toBasic
Operation of Memory Profile Systemin this section.
SYSTEM
E/M
MENU
TRIP
RESETSELECT
DISPLAY
DTE ECON VEHICLE HANDLING
DRIVER ID
Instrumentation
14

If Memory position 1 or Memory
position 2 wishes to make
temporary changes to their seat or
outside mirror positions without
affecting their preferred positions
they may do so by:
²
Using the switch on the back of
the remote transmitter to turn the
Memory Profile System OFF prior
to pressing the unlock control on
the remote transmitter or
unlocking the vehicle with the key.
²Entering the vehicle without
identifying themselves using the two methods listed above.
²Turning the DRIVER ID (if equipped in the message center) OFF to
allow for temporary setting changes.
This option may be useful to temporarily reposition the driver's seat and
mirrors during an extended drive.
Operator selectable features
System check
Pressing this control causes the
message center to cycle through the
status of each of the systems being
monitored. For each of these 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:
²voltage level
²engine temp
²oil level
²coolant level
²washer fluid
²doors (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)
ON
MEMORY1 RECALL
OFF
SYSTEM
Instrumentation
16

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.
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)
RESET
Instrumentation
17

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant specificationsin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling
system components.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
Your engine's cooling system has been factory-filled with a 50/50 mixture
of distilled water and Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in
Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B), or an equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
A50/50 mixtureof distilled water and Ford Premium Engine Coolant
provides:
²maximum cooling system efficiency.
²freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
Maintenance and care
169

The engine coolant must be maintained at the correct fluid level
and concentration to work properly. If the engine coolant fluid
level and concentration is not maintained correctly, damage to
the engine and cooling system may result.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
²The engine coolant should be at the ªcold fill levelº as listed on the
engine coolant reservoir.
²If the engine coolant reservoir becomes empty, the LOW ENGINE
COOLANT warning will illuminate in the message center.
²Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for service interval
schedules.
²Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If this occurs,
the LOW ENGINE COOLANT warning will illuminate and you will need
to add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
COLD FILL
LEVEL
Maintenance and care
170

Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its
specified function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
Use only Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in
Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10) or a premium engine coolant that
meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
²DO NOT USE Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant
F6AZ-19544-AA (orange in color).
²DO NOT USE a DEX-COOLtengine coolant or an equivalent
engine coolant that meets Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D.
²DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine
coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze.
²DO NOT USE supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle.
These additives may harm your engine's cooling system.
²DO NOT MIX recycled coolant and conventional coolant
together in your vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants may harm
your engine's cooling system.
²The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components and may void the warranty of your vehicle's
engine cooling system. If you are unsure which type of coolant
your vehicle requires, contact your local dealer.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
reservoir. If engine coolant is sprayed onto the windshield, it
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
When the engine is cool, add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir, until the coolant is at the
ªcold fill levelº or within the ª cold fill rangeº as listed in the engine
coolant reservoir (depending upon application).
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
²Engine coolant concentrations above 60% or below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
Maintenance and care
171

Plain water may be added in an emergency, but youmustreplace it with
a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the reservoir before you drive your vehicle the
next few times (with the engine cool). If necessary, add a50/50
mixtureof engine coolant and distilled water to the engine coolant
reservoir until the coolant level is at the ªcold fill levelº or within the
ªcold fill rangeº as listed on the reservoir (depending upon application).
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.
To avoid scalding hot steam or coolant from being released from
the engine cooling system, never remove the radiator cap while
the engine is running or hot. Failure to follow this warning may result
in damage to the engine's cooling system and possible severe personal
injury.
If you must remove the radiator cap, follow these steps to avoid personal
injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44-A. Use of a recycled engine coolant which
does not meet the Ford specification may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Maintenance and care
172

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
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 automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Maintenance and care
174