warning LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 2001 Owner's Guide

²Engine coolant concentrations above 60% or below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
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 reservoir 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 coolant 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 WSS-M97B51±A1. Use of a recycled engine coolant which
does not meet the Ford G05 specification may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Maintenance and care
160

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.
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).
ROOF
LOW TIRE
PRESSURE
OPEN
Maintenance and care
171

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 ªService Engine Soonº light, charging system warning
light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke
or loss of engine power, 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.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
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 diagnostics 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 on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics 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
Maintenance and care
185

A
Accessory delay ..........................66
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..................97, 101
and child safety seats ..............99
description ........................97, 101
disposal ....................................104
driver air bag ....................99, 102
indicator light .............9, 101, 103
operation ...........................99, 102
passenger air bag .............99, 102
side air bag ..............................101
Air cleaner filter .......................200
Air conditioning ..........................27
automatic temperature
control system ..........................27
Air filter, cabin ..........................167
Air suspension ...........................120
description ..............................120
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................157
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................116±117
Anti-theft system ........................69
arming the system ....................70
disarming a triggered system ..71
Audio system (see Radio) .........34
Automatic transaxle .................121
driving with .............................123
fluid, adding ............................163
fluid, checking ........................163
fluid, refill capacities ..............200
fluid, specification ..................202
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........201B
Battery .......................................165
acid, treating emergencies .....165
charging system
warning light .............................11
jumping a disabled battery ....144
maintenance-free ....................165
replacement, specifications ...200
servicing ..................................165
Belt minder .................................93
Brakes ........................................116
anti-lock ...........................116±117
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........10, 117
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....156
fluid, refill capacities ..............200
fluid, specifications .........201±202
lubricant specifications ..201±202
shift interlock ..........................121
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....200
CD changer .................................44
Certification Label ....................203
Child safety restraints ..............104
child safety belts ....................104
Child safety seats ......................105
attaching with tether straps ..109
in front seat ............................107
in rear seat ..............................107
Cleaning your vehicle ...............194
engine compartment ..............197
exterior ............................195±196
exterior lamps .........................196
instrument cluster lens ..........198
Index
218

Engine oil ..................................153
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................153
checking and adding ..............153
dipstick ....................................153
filter, specifications ........155, 200
recommendations ...................155
refill capacities ........................200
specifications ..................201±202
Exhaust fumes ..........................115
F
Floor mats ...................................69
Fluid capacities .........................200
Fuel ............................................176
calculating
fuel economy ....................23, 181
cap ...........................................178
capacity ...................................200
choosing the right fuel ...........179
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................184
detergent in fuel .....................180
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................176, 178, 181
filter, specifications ........180, 200
fuel filler door override ............68
fuel filler door release ..............68
fuel pump shut-off switch .....133
gauge .........................................12
improving fuel economy ........181
octane rating ...................179, 202
quality ......................................179
running out of fuel .................180
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................176
Fuses ..................................134±135G
Garage door opener ....................57
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............178
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................181
Gauges .........................................12
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................13
fuel gauge ..................................12
odometer ...................................13
speedometer .............................13
tachometer ................................13
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....126
definition .................................126
driving with a heavy load ......126
location ....................................126
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............126
calculating ...............................126
definition .................................126
driving with a heavy load ......126
location ....................................126
H
Hazard flashers .........................133
Head restraints ...........................84
Headlamps ...................................25
aiming ..............................192±194
autolamp system .......................26
bulb specifications ..................191
daytime running lights .............25
flash to pass ..............................26
high beam ...........................10, 26
replacing bulbs .......................186
turning on and off ..............10, 25
warning chime ..........................12
Index
220

Heating ........................................27
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage door
opener) ..................................57±60
Hood ..........................................151
I
Ignition .................................49, 202
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................105
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................185
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................198
cluster ..................................8, 198
lighting up panel and interior .26
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................140
positioning ...............................140
storage .....................................140
Jump-starting your vehicle ......144
K
Keyless entry system .................76
autolock .....................................78
keypad .......................................76
programming entry code .........77
Keys .................................49, 79±81
key in ignition chime ...............12
positions of the ignition ...........49L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................26
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................191
cargo lamps ...............................26
daytime running light ...............25
headlamps .................................25
headlamps, flash to pass ..........26
instrument panel, dimming .....26
interior lamps ...................56, 191
replacing bulbs .......186, 188±191
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................49
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ..........................................9
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....10, 117
brake ..........................................10
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 .................................126
GAWR ......................................126
GVWR ......................................126
trailer towing ..........................126
Locks
autolock .....................................78
childproof ..................................67
doors ..........................................64
Lubricant specifications ...201±202
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................143
Lumbar support, seats ...............86
Index
221

M
Message center ...............14, 16, 22
air leveling disabled .................14
air ride switch off .....................14
check air ride system ...............14
check air suspension ................14
menu button .............................21
reset button ..............................22
system check button ................16
warning messages .....................17
Mirrors .........................................57
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................63
cleaning ...................................196
heated ........................................67
programmable memory ............75
side view mirrors (power) .......66
Moon roof ....................................57
Motorcraft parts ................180, 200
O
Octane rating ............................179
Odometer .....................................13
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................153
Overdrive ...................................122
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................73
Parking brake ............................117
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....200
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................139
Power door locks ........................64Power steering ..................119±120
fluid, checking and adding ....162
fluid, refill capacity ................200
fluid, specifications .........201±202
R
Radio ............................................34
Relays ................................134, 140
Remote entry system ...........71±73
illuminated entry ......................75
locking/unlocking doors ...........72
opening the trunk .....................73
panic alarm ...............................73
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................74
replacing the batteries .............73
S
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ............12, 87±91
Safety defects, reporting ..........217
Safety restraints ....................87±91
belt minder ...............................93
cleaning the safety belts ..96, 199
extension assembly ..................92
for adults .............................88±90
for children .............................104
lap belt ......................................91
warning light
and chime ..................9, 11, 92±93
Safety seats for children ..........105
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............87
Seats ............................................84
child safety seats ....................105
cleaning ...................................199
easy access/easyout feature ....87
Index
222

heated ........................................86
memory seat .............................75
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...................79±81
Servicing your vehicle ..............150
Spark plugs, specifications ......200,
202
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................201±202
Speed control ..............................51
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle ........112, 114
jump starting ..........................144
Steering
speed sensitive .......................120
Steering wheel
controls ......................................51
tilting .........................................55
T
Tachometer .................................13
Tires ...........................140, 170±174
changing ..........................140±141
checking the pressure ............174
replacing ..................................175
rotating ....................................174
snow tires and chains ............175
tire grades ...............................173
treadwear ................................173
Towing .......................................128
recreational towing .................130
trailer towing ..........................128
wrecker ....................................149
Traction control ........................118
off light ......................................11Transaxle
automatic operation ...............121
fluid, refill capacities ..............200
lubricant specifications ..........202
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................163
lubricant specifications ..........201
Trunk ...........................................82
remote release ....................67, 73
Turn signal ............................10, 49
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................202
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................204
Vehicle loading ..........................126
Ventilating your vehicle ...........115
W
Warning chimes .....................11±12
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................157
Water, Driving through .............126
Windows
power .........................................65
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....157
checking and cleaning ............169
operation ...................................50
replacing wiper blades ...........170
Wrecker towing .........................149
Index
223