traction control LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 2000 Owners Manual

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner's Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Tether
Anchorage
Brake SystemAnti-Lock Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedTraction Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
Power Windows
Front/RearPower Window Lockout
Introduction
4

Turn on headlamps (if equipped)
Illuminates to remind the driver to
turn the headlamps on when:
²the daytime running lamps are on
(if equipped)
²the autolamps are off
²the autolamp sensor determines it is night time
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Engine oil pressure
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the
oil level and add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Traction ControlYoff light
Illuminates when the Traction
Controlysystem has been disabled
(by the driver or as a result of a
system failure). For more
information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Safety belt warning chime
Sounds to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
TURN ON
HEAD
LAMPS
T/ C
OFF
Instrumentation
11

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

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.
E/M (if equipped)
Press this control to switch the
odometer and display readouts from
metric (kilometers) to English
(miles) units.
DRIVER ID (if equipped)
Press this control and use SELECT
to choose DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2
when choosing operator selectable
features. Seat and mirror positions
and nine operator selectable features, found under the MENU and
VEHICLE HANDLING controls, will be saved to DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2.
These will be automatically recalled when the drivers identify themselves
to the system with the remote entry transmitter (refer toBasic
Operation of Memory Profile Systemin this section) or selecting
DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2 in the message center. When a vehicle setting is
changed, the message center will display ªSAVED TO DRIVER 1 or
DRIVER 2º for 5 seconds to confirm the change has been made. Press
the SELECT to choose ªOFFº for temporary position/setting changes
which will not be stored.
E/M
DRIVER ID
Instrumentation
18

MENU
Press this control to change various
convenience settings throughout the
vehicle. Each press of the MENU
control will display the following:
²Traction control (returns to ªONº everytime vehicle is started).
²Express window (completely goes down with one touch on the power
switch).
²Auto lock (locks the doors when the vehicle reaches 5 km/h [3 mph]).
²Horn chirp (sounds horn one time whenever the doors are locked
using the remote transmitter).
²Seat access (moves seat back to aid entry/exit from the vehicle).
²Reverse mirrors (tilts the exterior mirrors downward to assist parking
using reverse).
²English/metric (changes the odometer and display readouts)
Press the SELECT control to change the settings to ON or OFF.
These settings will be saved to the vehicle not individualized settings.
Vehicles equipped with the DRIVER ID control, the settings will be saved
to DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2.
SELECT
Press the SELECT control to change
settings in MENU or VEHICLE
HANDLING modes.
VEHICLE HANDLING
Press this control to adjust the
STEERING EFFORT SETTINGS
between NORMAL, LOW and HIGH.
Vehicles equipped with the DRIVER
ID control, press this control once
to adjust RIDE CONTROL SETTINGS between NORMAL, PLUSH and
FIRM. Press this control a second time to adjust the STEERING EFFORT
SETTINGS between NORMAL, LOW and HIGH. The combination of firm
ride control and low steering effort cannot be selected.
Press the SELECT control to change settings.
MENU
SELECT
VEHICLE HANDLING
Instrumentation
19

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Your vehicle has an automatic parking brake release. To release the
parking brake:
1. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Move the gearshift 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 gearshift 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
BRAKE RELEASEHOOD
Driving
127

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 adjustments 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
sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not
ªrev-upº when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
If you should become stuck in snow or on a very slippery road surface,
try switching the Traction Controlysystem off. This may allow excess
wheel spin to ªdigº the vehicle out or enable a successful ªrockingº
maneuver. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrumentationchapter.
If the Traction Controlysystem is cycled excessively, the brake portion
of the system will shut down to prevent the front brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Controlyfunction using only engine
torque reduction will still control wheels from over-spinning. When the
front brakes have cooled down, the system will again function normally.
Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will function
normally during the cool down period.
If a system fault is detected, CHECK TRACTION CONTROL is displayed
on the message center and your vehicle should be serviced.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
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.
Driving
128

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.
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 graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 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 AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government 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
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
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.
Maintenance and care
184

charging system ........................11
high beam .................................10
oil pressure ...............................11
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ....................8
traction control active ..............11
turn signal indicator .................10
Load limits .................................135
GAWR ......................................135
GVWR ......................................135
trailer towing ..........................135
Locks
autolock .....................................88
childproof ..................................77
doors ..........................................74
Lubricant specifications ....210,211
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................155
Lumbar support, seats ...............94
Message center .................14,16,20
air leveling disabled .................14
air ride switch off .....................14
check air ride system ...............14
check air suspension ................14
menu button .............................19
reset button ..............................20
system check button ................16
warning messages .....................17
Mirrors .........................................65
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................73
cleaning ...................................205
heated ........................................77
programmable memory ............84
side view mirrors (power) .......76
Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts .................191,209
Octane rating ............................190
Odometer .....................................13
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................165
Overdrive ...................................131
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ..................82Parking brake ............................126
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....209
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................151
Power door locks ........................74
Power steering ...................128,129
fluid, checking and adding ....174
fluid, refill capacity ................209
fluid, specifications ..........210,211
Radio ............................................30
Relays .................................143,152
Remote entry system ............81,82
illuminated entry ......................84
locking/unlocking doors ...........81
opening the trunk .....................82
panic alarm ...............................82
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................83
replacing the batteries .............82
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ................12,95,96,97,98
Safety defects, reporting ..........225
Safety restraints ...........95,96,97,98
belt minder .............................100
cleaning
the safety belts ................104,208
extension assembly ..................99
for adults .........................96,97,98
for children .............................112
lap belt ......................................99
warning light
and chime ........................9,11,100
Safety seats for children ..........113
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............95
Seats ............................................92
child safety seats ....................113
cleaning ............................207,208
easy access/easyout feature ....95
heated ........................................94
memory seat .............................84
Index
229

SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............88,89,90
Servicing your vehicle ..............162
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................209,211
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................210,211
Speed control ..............................49
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .........120,122
jump starting ..........................156
Steering
speed sensitive .......................129
Steering wheel
controls ......................................48
tilting .........................................53
Tachometer .................................13
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tires ........152,181,182,183,184,185
changing ...........................152,153
checking the pressure ............185
replacing ..................................186
rotating ....................................185
snow tires and chains ............186
tire grades ...............................184
treadwear ................................184
Towing .......................................185
recreational towing .................140
wrecker ....................................161
Traction control ........................127off light ......................................11
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............130
fluid, refill capacities ..............209
lubricant specifications ..........211
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................174
lubricant specifications ..........210
Trunk ...........................................91
remote release .....................77,82
Turn signal .............................10,48
Vehicle dimensions ...................211
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................213
Vehicle loading ..........................135
Ventilating your vehicle ...........124
Warning chimes ......................11,12
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................169
Water, Driving through .............135
Windows
power .........................................75
Windshield washer
fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid .....169
checking and cleaning ............181
operation ...................................47
replacing wiper blades ...........181
Wrecker towing .........................161
Index
230