1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL battery

/! WARNINGBatteries contain sulfuric acid which bumsskin, eyes, and clothing.If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15
minutes. If someone swallows the acid, have him or
her drink lots of milk or water first, then Milk of
Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable oil. Call a
doctor immediately.
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and
to avoid injury to yourself, follow these directions
for preparing your vehicle to jump-start and
connecting the jumper cables in the order they are
given. If in doubt, call for road service.
200Preparing Your Vehicle
1 .Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system. You
will damage your starting motor, ignition system,
and other electrical parts if you connect them to a
24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt
batteries in series,or a 24-volt generator set).
2.Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
3.Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the
disabled vehicle. Make sure the vehicles do not
touch each other. Set the parking brake on both
vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan
and other moving parts.
4.Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the jumper
cables.

5.Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. Press the
DEFROST button. Turn off all other switches
and gauges.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
(You can connect either jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal, as long as you use the
same cable for both positive terminals.) Most
jumper cables have a red cable and a black cable.
The red cable is generally used for the positive
terminals and the black for the negative ones.
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the booster battery NOT
to the discharged battery.
4. Connect the other end of the second cable to a
good metallic surface on the engine or frame of
the disabled vehicle./! WARNINGDo not connect the end of the second cable tothe negative (-) terminal of the battery to bejumped. A spark may cause an explosion ofthe gases that surround the battery.201

Alternator mounting brace stud jumper cable
The engine with jumper cables
202 Booster battery

Jump-Starting
1.Make sure that the jumper cables are not in the
way of moving engine parts, then start the
booster vehicle. Run the engine at a moderate
speed.
2.Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle. It
may take a couple of tries before the vehicle
starts. If the vehicle does not start after several
attempts, there may be a different problem.
3.When both vehicles are running, let them idle
for a few minutes to charge the discharged
battery.
Removing jumper cables
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order. Remove the negative (-) end of
the jumper cable from the metallic surface on
the engine or frame of the disabled vehicle.2.Remove the negative (-) cable from the booster
battery.
3.Remove the positive (+) cable from the booster
battery.
4.Remove the other end of the positive (+) cable
from the discharged battery.
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while to let
the engine "relearn" its idle conditions. Drive it
around for a while with all electrical accessories
turned off to let the battery recharge. You may need
to use a battery charger to fully recharge the
battery.
If you need to replace your battery, see Battery in the
Servicing Your Vehicle chapter.
203

Travel
Heavy-duty battery
Comfort and convenience
Engine block heater
Cargo net
224Protection and appearance
Carpeted floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Styled wheel protector locks
Super Seal undercoating (in U.S. only)
Touch-up paints
Vinyl protectant
Wheel splash guards (flat)
Vehicle security system

Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing
your vehicle. Here are some general precautions
for your safety: Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fan may come on unexpectedly. Always
turn the engine off and let it cool./!\ WARNINGThe cooling fan is automatic and may comeon at any time. Always disconnect thenegative terminal of the battery beforeworking near the fan. If you must work with the engine running,
avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long hair. Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space
with the engine running, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation. Never get under a vehicle while it is supported by a
jack only. If you must work under a vehicle, use
safety stands. Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking materials
away from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
“relearn" its idle conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly. To find out how the engine does this,
see Battery in this chapter.
Working with the engine off.
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
2.Remove the key from the ignition after you turn
the engine off.
233

3.Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on:
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure that
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
2.Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly./! WARNINGDo not start your engine with the aircleaner removed and do not remove it whilethe engine is running./! WARNINGThe cooling fan is automatic and may comeon at any time. Always disconnect thenegative terminal of the battery beforeworking near the fan.234If the battery is disconnected' the computer must
releam its idle control. See Battery in the Index.
NOTE: The engine compartment light may be
switched on or off at the light assembly. The light
assembly is located on the hood on the driver's side.
To turn the light on, pull the switch toward you; to
turn it off, push it away from you. The switch may
remain in the on position at all times, as the light will
turn off when the hood is closed.
Opening the Hood
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release handle
located under the bottom left comer of the
instrument panel.

Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil
Filter
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for recommended intervals./!\ WARNINGContinuous contact with USED motor oilhas caused cancer in laboratory mice.Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
Engine Coolant
Checking the Engine Coolant
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions Men Servicing Your Vehicle at the
beginning of this chapter./!\ WARNINGThe cooling fan is automatic and may comeon at any time. Always disconnect thenegative terminal of the battery beforeworking near the fan.Cold fill levelThe engine coolant reservoir
247