ECU LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 2002 Owner's Guide

When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of the parking
brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in Park (P). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running. If you do not take these precautions, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
Driving
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GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED
At home
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada have authorized dealerships to
service your vehicle. It is preferred that you return to the Ford dealer
where your vehicle was purchased when warranty repairs are needed.
However, you may also take your vehicle to another Ford Motor
Company or Ford of Canada dealership authorized for warranty repairs.
Certain warranty repairs require special training though, so not all
dealers are authorized to perform all warranty repairs. That means that
depending on the warranty repair needed, the vehicle may need to be
taken to another dealer. If a particular dealership can not assist you,
then contact the Customer Relationship Center.
If you have questions or concerns, or are unsatisfied with the service you
are receiving, follow these steps:
1. Contact your Sales Representative or Service Advisor at your
selling/servicing dealership.
2. If your inquiry or concern remains unresolved, contact the Sales
Manager or Service Manager at the dealership.
3. If the inquiry or concern cannot be resolved at the dealership level,
please contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center.
Away from home
If you own a Ford or Mercury vehicle and are away from home when
your vehicle needs service, or if you need more help than the dealership
could provide, after following the steps described above, contact the
Ford Customer Relationship Center to find an authorized dealership to
help you. In the United States:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
1-800-392-3673 (FORD)
(TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952)
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174

In Canada:
Customer Relationship Centre
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4
1-800-565-3673 (FORD)
If you own a Lincoln vehicle and are away from home when your vehicle
needs service, or if you need more help than the dealership could
provide, after following the steps described above, contact the Ford
Customer Relationship Center to find an authorized dealership to help
you.
In the United States:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
1-800-521-4140
(TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952)
In Canada:
Customer Relationship Centre
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4
1-800-565-3673 (FORD)
In order to help you service your Ford or Lincoln Mercury vehicle, please
have the following information available when contacting a Customer
Relationship Center:
²Your telephone number (home and business).
²The name of the dealer and the city where the dealership is located.
²The year and make of your vehicle.
²The date of vehicle purchase.
²The current odometer reading.
²The vehicle identification number (VIN).
If you still have a complaint involving a warranty dispute, you may wish
to contact the Dispute Settlement Board (U.S.).
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You will receive a letter of explanation if your application does not
qualify for Board review.
Oral presentations
If you would like to make an oral presentation, indicate YES to question
6 on the application. While it is your right to make an oral presentation
before the Board, this is not a requirement and the Board will decide the
case whether or not an oral presentation is made. An oral presentation
may be requested by the Board as well.
Making a decision
Board members review all available information related to each
complaint, including oral presentations, and arrive at a fair and impartial
decision. Board review may be terminated at any time by either party.
Every effort is made to decide the case within 40 days of the date that
all requested information is received by the Board. Since the Board
generally meets once a month, it may take longer for the Board to
consider some cases.
After a case is reviewed, the Board mails you a decision letter and a
form on which to accept or reject the Board's decision. The decisions of
the Board are binding on Ford (and, in some cases, on the dealer) but
not on consumers who are free to pursue other remedies available to
them under state or federal law.
To Request a DSB Brochure/Application
For a brochure/application, speak to your dealer or write/call to the
Board at the following address/phone number:
Dispute Settlement Board
P.O. Box 5120
Southfield, MI 48086±5120
1±800±428±3718
You may also contact the North American Customer Relationship Center
at 1-800-392-3673 (Ford), TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952
or by writing to the Center at the following address:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
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IN CALIFORNIA (U.S. ONLY)
California Civil Code Section 1793.2(d) requires that, if a manufacturer
or its representative is unable to repair a motor vehicle to conform to the
vehicle's applicable express warranty after a reasonable number of
attempts, the manufacturer shall be required to either replace the
vehicle with one substantially identical or repurchase the vehicle and
reimburse the buyer in an amount equal to the actual price paid or
payable by the consumer (less a reasonable allowance for consumer
use). The consumer has the right to choose whether to receive a refund
or replacement vehicle.
California Civil Code Section 1793.22(b) presumes that the manufacturer
has had a reasonable number of attempts to conform the vehicle to its
applicable express warranties if, within the first 18 months of ownership
of a new vehicle or the first 29 000 km (18 000 miles), whichever occurs
first:
1. Two or more repair attempts are made on the same nonconformity
likely to cause death or serious bodily injury OR
2. Four or more repair attempts are made on the same nonconformity (a
defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, value or safety of
the vehicle) OR
3. The vehicle is out of service for repair of nonconformities for a total of
more than 30 calendar days (not necessarily all at one time)
In the case of 1 or 2 above, the consumer must also notify the
manufacturer of the need for the repair of the nonconformity at the
following address:
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
Mail Drop 3NE-B
Dearborn, MI 48126
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Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake, and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in
(P) 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.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom of the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of
the hood.
3. Lift the hood until the lift
cylinders hold it open.BRAKE RELEASEHOOD
Maintenance and Specifications
192

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
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 specification ESR-M17P5±A.
Refer toLubricant specificationsin this chapter.
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.
Note: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 OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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194

When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
²Place approved fuel container on the ground.
²DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
²Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
²DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
ªCHECK/TIGHTEN FUEL CAPº will display in the message center when
the fuel filler cap is not properly installed. Proper fuel filler cap
installation is checked automatically as the vehicle is driven, but not until
after some fuel is used (fuel guage drops below full). Once the fuel filler
cap is properly secured, ªCHECK/TIGHTEN FUEL CAPº will turn off
after a short period of driving.
Maintenance and Specifications
206

SECURITIRE (IF EQUIPPED)
SecuriTires are designed to allow you to continue driving your vehicle a
limited number of miles when one of your vehicle's tires is at low or even
zero air pressure.
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.
ROOF
LOW TIRE
PRESSURE
OPEN
Maintenance and Specifications
218

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).
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
219