Lincoln 1997 Continental User manual

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Table of Contents
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Introduction
Ford’s Commitment to You
At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the
continuous commitment to achieve the best result
possible. It is dedication to learning what you want,
determination to develop the right concept, and
execution of that concept with care, precision, and
attention to detail. In short, excellence means being
the standard by which others are judged.
Our Guiding Principles
❑Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the
quality of our products and services must be our
number one priority.
❑You are the focus of everything we do. Our
work must be done with you in mind,
providing better products and services than our
competition.
❑Continuous improvement is essential to our
success. We must strive for excellence in
everything we do: in our products — in their
safety and value — and in our services, our
human relations, our competitiveness, and our
profitability.
❑Employee involvement is our way of life.
We are a team. We must treat one another
with trust and respect.
❑Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We
must maintain mutually beneficial relationships
with dealers, suppliers, and our other business
associates.
❑Integrity is never compromised. Our conduct
worldwide must be pursued in a manner that is
socially responsible and commands respect for
its integrity and for its positive contributions to
society.
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ThingstoKnowAboutUsingThis
Guide
Congratulationsonthepurchaseofyournew
vehicle.Thisguidehasinformationaboutthe
equipmentandtheoptionsforyournewvehicle.
Youmaynothaveboughtalloftheoptions
availabletoyou.Ifyoudonotknowwhich
informationappliestoyourvehicle,talktoyour
dealer.
Thisguidedescribesequipmentandgives
specificationsforequipmentthatwasineffectwhen
thisguidewasapprovedforprinting.Fordmay
discontinuemodelsorchangespecificationsor
designwithoutanynoticeandwithoutincurring
obligation.
NOTESandWARNINGS
NOTESgiveyouadditionalinformationaboutthe
subjectmatteryouarereferencing.
WARNINGSremindyoutobeespeciallycarefulin
thoseareaswherecarelessnesscancausedamageto
yourvehicleorpersonalinjurytoyourself,your
passengersorotherpeople.Pleasereadall
WARNINGScarefully.
WARNING
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Finding Information in This Guide
After you have read this guide once, you will
probably return to it when you have a specific
question or need additional information. To help
you find specific information quickly, you can use
the Quick Index or the Index.
The Quick Index at the end of the book provides
a page number following each item which indicates
where detailed information can be found.
To use the Index, turn to the back of the book
and search in the alphabetical listing for the word
that best describes the information you need. If the
word you chose is not listed, think of other related
words and look them up. We have designed the
Index so that you can find information under a
technical term.
Canadian Owners — French Version
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
The Lincoln Commitment
The Lincoln Commitment is more than the prestige
of owning a superior luxury automobile, it is a
comprehensive owner benefits package that is
designed to provide you with services to support
your every driving need. Refer to the Lincoln
Commitment brochure for more information.
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
The Maintenance Schedule booklet lists the services
that are most important for keeping your vehicle in
good condition. A record log is also provided to
help you keep track of all services performed.
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About the Warranties
Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:
Basic Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warranties
on certain parts, and Emissions Warranties.
Read your Warranty Information Booklet carefully to
find out about your vehicle’s warranties and your
basic rights and responsibilities.
If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses
and phone numbers on the first page of this
Owner’s Guide.
More Protection for Your Vehicle
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only extended
service program with the Ford name on it and the
only service contract backed by Ford Motor
Company.
Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and
administered by Ford. It provides:
❑protection against repair costs after your Bumper
to Bumper Warranty expires;
and
❑other benefits during the warranty period (such
as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for
certain maintenance and wear items).
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford Motor Company dealer. There are several Ford
ESP plans available in various time-and-mileage
combinations. Each plan can be tailored to fit your
own driving needs, including reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental. (In Hawaii, rules
vary. See your dealer for details.)
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When you buy Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind
protection throughout the United States and
Canada, provided by a network of more than 5,100
participating Ford Motor Company dealers.
NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United States
and Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.
This information is subject to change. Ask your
dealer for complete details about Ford ESP coverage.
Breaking Your Vehicle In
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in
period, you need to pay careful attention to how
you drive your vehicle.
❑Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle has
new brake linings, you should take these steps:
—Watch traffic carefully so that you can
anticipate when to stop.
—Begin braking well in advance.
—Apply the brakes gradually.
The break-in period for new brake linings
lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving
or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway
driving.
❑Use only the type of engine oil that Ford
recommends. See Engine oil recommendations
in the Index. Do not use special “break-in” oils.
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Instrumentation
The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is
divided into several different sections. The
illustrations on the following pages show the major
parts of the instrument panel that are described in
this chapter. Some items shown may not be on all
vehicles.
The main controls for the climate control system,
clock, and radio are on the instrument panel.
If you have radio transmitting equipment in your
vehicle, be aware that it can interfere with your
vehicle’s electrical system and may cause the
instrumentation and/or convenience products to
have temporary, abnormal operation.
NOTE: Any cleaner or polish that increases the
gloss (shine) of the upper part of the instrument
panel should be avoided. The dull finish in this area
is to help protect the driver from undesirable
windshield reflection.
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Instrument panel
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Instrument cluster
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The following warning lights and gauges are on the
instrument cluster. All of the warning lights and
gauges alert you to possible problems with your
vehicle.
Indicator Lights and Chimes
Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
This warning light and chime remind you to fasten
your safety belt. The following conditions will take
place:
❑If the safety belt is not buckled when the
ignition is turned to the ON position, the chime
will turn on for four (4) to eight (8) seconds
and the light will come on for one to two
minutes.
❑If the safety belt is buckled while the light is on
and the chime is sounding, both the light and
chime will turn off.
❑If the safety belt is buckled before the ignition
is turned to the ON position, neither the light
nor the chime will come on.
Brake System Warning Light
The warning light for the brakes can show two
things — that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in the
master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is low,
the brake system should be checked by your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
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Thislightcomesonwhentheparkingbrakeisset,
orifitisnotset,itcomesonbrieflywhenyou
turntheignitiontotheSTARTposition.Itnormally
goesoffshortlyaftertheenginestartsandyou
releasetheparkingbrake.Ifthelightstaysonafter
youhavefullyreleasedtheparkingbrake,havethe
hydraulicbrakesystemservicedbyyourdealerora
qualifiedservicetechnician.
WARNING
TheBRAKElightindicatesthatthe
brakesmaynotbeworkingproperly.
Havethebrakescheckedimmediately.
Anti-LockBrakeSystemWarningLight
Thislightcomesonforafewsecondswhenyou
turntheignitionkeytotheSTARTposition.It
shouldgooffshortlyaftertheenginestarts.Ifit
staysonlongerthanfive(5)seconds,itindicates
thatyouranti-lockbrakesystemmaynotbe
workingproperly.Normalbrakingisnotaffected
unlesstheBRAKEsystemwarninglightalsoremains
onforlongerthansix(6)seconds.Youshouldhave
yourvehicleservicedimmediatelybyyourdealeror
qualifiedservicetechniciantorestorethebenefitsof
theanti-lockfeature.SeeAnti-lockbrakesinthe
Indexformoreinformation.
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Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates the engine’s oil pressure, not the
oil level. However, if your engine’s oil level is low,
it could affect the oil pressure. The light will come
on briefly when you turn your key to the START
and ON position. The light should stay off when
the engine is running with normal oil pressure. If
the light comes on while the engine is running, you
have lost oil pressure and continued operation will
cause severe engine damage.
If you lose engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe
engine damage could result.
3. Check the engine’s oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine oil,
see Engine Oil in the Index. If you do not
follow these instructions, you or others could
be injured. To assure an accurate reading, your
car should be on level ground.
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again. Do
not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the
light is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact
your nearest dealer for further service actions.
For more information about adding oil, see Adding
engine oil in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
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Traction ControlHActive Light
(If equipped)
This light comes on when the Traction ControlH
system begins applying and releasing the brakes and
adjusting the engine characteristics to limit a
wheelspin condition.
It will be lit for a minimum of six seconds or for
the duration of the Traction ControlHevent.
Charging System Light
This light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.
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This light illuminates every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine off).
The light should go off when the engine starts and
the alternator begins to charge.
If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine
is running, have the electrical system checked as
soon as possible.
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
When you push the turn signal lever up before
making a right turn, the right side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
When you push the turn signal lever down before
making a left turn, the left side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically after
you turn your vehicle. If the turn signal continues
to flash after you have made the turn, push the
lever back to the OFF position.
If one or both of your turn indicators do not flash
or stay on continuously, have them serviced as soon
as possible. In the meantime, be sure to use the
accepted hand signals.
Service Engine Soon Warning Light
This light illuminates when the engine’s Emission
Control System requires service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON
position and the engine is off.
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High Beam Light
This light illuminates when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the lights.
Chime for Headlamps On
This chime sounds if the driver or any passenger
door is open when the parking lamps or headlamps
are on. The chime sounds until you close the door,
turn off the lamps or turn the ignition to the ON
position.
Air Bag Readiness Light
The air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone
to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this
light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn
off. This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance
of the air bag system is not required.
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If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash,
remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.
Anti-Theft Alarm Light (If equipped)
This light flashes on and off when the ignition is
turned to the OFF position and any door is opened.
As soon as you lock the doors, the light glows
steadily. Within 30 seconds of closing all the doors,
the light goes out. This indicates that the alarm
system is armed.
See Anti-Theft System in the Controls and Features
chapter for more information.
The Instrument Cluster
In addition to warning lights, the instrument cluster
has a message center/odometer, a speedometer,
tachometer, fuel and coolant temperature gauges.
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