maintenance LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 2002 Owners Manual

Cleaning 184
Cleaning your vehicle 184
Underbody preservation 189
Maintenance and Specifications 191
Hood 192
Engine compartment 193
Engine oil 194
Battery 197
Fuel information 204
Part numbers 224
Refill capacities 224
Lubricant specifications 226
Engine data 227
Vehicle dimensions 227
Accessories 231
Index 234
All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval
system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company. Ford may change the contents without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Copyright 2001 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
3

Air bag readiness
Illuminates to confirm that the air
bags (front or side) are operational.
If the light fails to illuminate,
continues to flash or remains on,
have the system serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Illuminates to remind you to fasten
your safety belts. For more
information, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Check
the oil level and add oil if needed.
Refer toEngine oilin the
Maintenance and specifications
chapter.
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.
AIR
BAG
T/ C
OFF
Instrument Cluster
12

Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition and the driver's door is
opened.
GAUGES
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine
coolantin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot. Steam and scalding liquid from a hot cooling
system can burn you badly.
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.
80
MPH km/h
ABS
P!BRAKE
+ –
RPMx1000NORM
T/C
OFF
CHEF
FILL ON RIGHT
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON AIR
BAG TURN ON
HEAD
LAMPS0 123456
7
0 2060
80
100
120
0 204060100
120
140
160
180
200
40
000000.0
NORM
CH
Instrument Cluster
14

Gear Display Data ERR Warning reappears after key is
turned from OFF to ON
Check/Tighten fuel cap
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
DOOR AJAR.Displayed when a side or back door is not completely
closed.
DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver's door is not
completely closed.
CHECK ENGINE TEMP.Displayed when the engine coolant is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and specificationschapter. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Check the transmission fluid and level. Refer toTransmission
fluidin theMaintenance and specificationschapter. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer for transmission
service as soon as possible.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
Driver Controls
80

CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed when you have approximately 80 km (50
miles) to empty.
LOW ENGINE COOLANT.Displayed when the engine coolant level is
low. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and
let it cool. Check the coolant and level. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE (if equipped).Displayed when the tire
pressure is low. Check the tire pressure. Refer toChecking the tire
pressurein theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
GEAR DISPLAY DATA ERR.Displayed when the data used to provide
the redundant gear selection display on the instrument cluster is missing
or invalid. In this case, the instrument cluster redundant gear selection
display is turned off. The driver should use the mechanical position
indication on the center console gear selector as temporary indication. If
this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as safely possible.
CHECK/TIGHTEN FUEL CAP.Displayed 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 gauge drops below full). Once the fuel filler cap is properly
secured, the ªCHECK/TIGHTEN FUEL CAPº message will turn off after a
short period of driving. Refer toFuel Filler Capin theMaintenance
and specificationschapter.
BRAKE LAMP OUT.Displayed when the brake lamps are activated and
at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as safely possible
and have the burned out lamp replaced. The center high-mount
brakelamp is not monitored.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL.Displayed when the Traction
Controlysystem is not operating properly. If this message is displayed
on the message centerandthe amber T/C OFF light in the Traction
Controlyon/off switch isnotilluminated, the Traction Controlysystem
will be partially operable. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer for
service as soon as possible. For further information, refer toTraction
controlyin theDrivingchapter.
Driver Controls
81

CHECK RIDE CONTROL.Displayed when the air suspension system is
not operating properly. If this message is displayed while driving, pull off
the road as soon as safely possible. The message may also be displayed if
the vehicle is loaded beyond the recommended maximum payload. This
is a normal condition if the vehicle is overloaded. To correct this
condition:
1. Remove or redistribute the payload per the recommended maximum
requirements.
2. Turn the ignition switch from ON to OFF to ON again.
If the message reappears:
1. Turn the air suspension switch (located in the trunk) OFF.
2. Contact your dealer for service as soon as safely possible.
For more information, refer toAir suspensionin theDrivingchapter.
TRUNK AJAR.Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
CHECK STEERING ASSIST.Displayed when the steering system is
not operating properly. If this message is displayed while driving, pull off
the road as soon as safely possible. If this warning stays on, contact your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
LOW WASHER FLUID.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer toChecking and
adding washer fluidin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
AIR LEVELING DISABLED.Displayed when the air suspension switch
is in the OFF position.
TAIL LAMP OUT.Displayed when the tail lamps are activated and at
least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and have
the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK FRT TURN LAMPS.Displayed when the turn signals are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
TURN ON HEADLAMPS.Displayed when the headlamps are activated
by the autolamp sensor.
E/M (if equipped)
Press this control to switch the
odometer and display readouts from
metric (kilometers) to English
(miles) units.
E/M
Driver Controls
82

9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is
complete.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder
belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if
equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped),
LATCH child seat tether anchors and lower anchors (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Ford Motor
Company recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor
and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not show damage and
continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety
belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and
replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the safety belt
assembly under the above conditions could result in severe
personal injuries in the event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety beltsin theCleaning
chapter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
116

The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags)
²one or more impact and safing sensors
²a readiness light and tone
²a diagnostic module
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the air bag has deployed,the air bag will not function
again and must be replaced immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer toAir bag readinesssection
in theInstrument clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is
not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
AIR
BAG
Seating and Safety Restraints
121

Several air bag system
components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
If the side air bag has
deployed,the air bag will
not function again. The side
air bag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by a qualified
technician in accordance with
the vehicle service manual.If
the air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAir bag readiness
section in theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the side
air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light (same light as for front air bag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a
collision.
Seating and Safety Restraints
124

BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check after you start
the engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be
heard during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is found, the ABS
warning light will come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
Driving
138