1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL check engine light

You have an automatic release for the parking brake.
The parking brake should automatically unlock when
you move the gearshift to any forward gear while the
engine is running. However, the automatic release
does not work when the gearshift is in reverse,
neutral or park.
To manually release the parking brake, pull the
BRAKE RELEASE handle located on the lower left
comer of the instrument panel. The Brake Warning
Light will illuminate if the parking brake is not fully
released when the engine is running.
The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving
vehicle, but you can use the parking brake to stop
your vehicle in an emergency if the normal brakes
fail. However, since the parking brake applies only
the rear brakes, the stopping distance will increase
greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be
adversely affected.
190Always check the Brake Warning light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
Driving Under Special Conditions
Tips for Safe Driving
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.

Towing ClassLight-dutyMaximum gross trailer
weight1,000/2,000 lbs. (454/907
kg)*Maximum tongue load100/200 lbs. (45/91 kg)Engine4.OLHitch designLoad carrying typeTraffer-tow package
optionNot requiredVehicle speed should not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) when
towing on grades. Limit maximum gross trailer weight to
1,000 lbs. (454 kg) and maximum tongue load to 100 lbs. (45
kg): (1) when you are towing a trailer on steep hills or on
moderate hills for a long distance (five miles (8 kms) or more)
(2) on very hot days (when the temperature is 1OO°F (38°C)
or more).
You should also limit your trailer's load when you
tow in high altitudes.
196Preparing to Tow
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all
towing equipment is properly attached to your
vehicle. If you are not certain that you are
using the right equipment in the proper manner,
see your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed
to bear the load.
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
Connecting the safety chains
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.

Servicing Your ContinentalService Made Easy
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you: We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find them
easily. When possible, we design - such as the
headlamp bulbs-- that can be replaced without
tools. We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your vehicle
easy. The maintenance schedule is located in
the Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet.This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you
need to check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service required.
Check your Warranty Information Booklet to find out
which parts and services are covered. Also see the
Customer Assistance chapter of this Owner Guide.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner
Maintenance Checks listed in the Maintenance
Schedule and Record booklet be performed for the
proper operation of your vehicle. In addition to the
conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance Checklist,
be alert for any unusual noise, vibration, or other
indication that your vehicle may need service. If you
do notice something unusual, see that your vehicle is
serviced promptly.
231

Using speed control in hilly terrain Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear window
defroster and other accessories Underinflated tires Heavy loads Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage
racks, bug deflectors, etc.
Self-Service Pointers
If you choose to do your own fueling, you should
also perform a few simple maintenance routines.
This extra effort will save you additional money and
contribute to the driving efficiency of your vehicle.
The following procedures require only a tire gauge,
a rag, an oil can spout and windshield washer fluid.Check the engine oil at every refueling stopClean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
244 Check windshield washer fluid Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges Check the tire pressure at least monthly
Engine Oil Recommendations
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent
oil meeting Ford Specification ESE-M2C153-E and
displaying the American Petroleum Institute
CERTIFICATION MARK on the front of the
container.

2.Set the parking brake, making sure the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park).
3.Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
4.Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the engine.
5.Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.Engine oil dipstick
2466.Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil
level is below the "ADD 1 QT" line, add engine
oil as necessary. If the oil level is beyond the
letter "F" in Full, engine damage or high oil
consumption may occur and some oil must be
removed from the engine.
7.Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully
seated.
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED engine
oil of the preferred viscosity. Your vehicle's
warranty coverage may not apply if engine damage is
caused by the use of improper engine oil.
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted
in yellow. To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a
funnel to pour oil into the opening. Be careful not to
overfill the engine. Recheck the oil level after you
finish adding oil.

Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford
replacement parts. If other than Ford or
Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for the service of components
affecting emission control, such non-Ford parts
should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It is
the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information./!\ WARNINGDo not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in drygrass or other dry ground cover. Theemission system heats up the enginecompartment and exhaust system, which canstart a fire.Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the checkengine light, or the temperature warning light. These
sometimes indicate that the emission system is not
working properly.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more unburned
fuel to reach the exhaust system can increase the
temperature of the engine or exhaust system.
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of
vehicles is not permitted to intentionally remove an
emission control device or prevent it from working.
In some of the United States and in Canada, vehicle
owners may be liable if their emission control device
is removed or is prevented from working.
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on for
more than five seconds after you shut it off or if it
misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
285

Cleaning your vehicle (continued)...............Console, description...............................133
instrument panel................................69Controls, mirrors....................................127
mirrors.....................................126,127Coolant (see Engine coolant)........................
plastic parts.........................................8checking and adding...........................247
polishing..............................................7drain and flush....................................251
rustproofing.........................................8preparing for storage..........................291
safety belts.........................................17refill capacities...................................287
tail lamps...........................................83specifications......................................289
upholstery and interior trim..............118temperature gauge................................66
washing...............................................7Cooling fan.............................................233
wheels.............................................260D..................................
Climate control system...............................Dashboard (see Instrument panel).............69
air conditioning..................................71Daytime running light system....................81
electronic automatic temperature...........Defrost, windshield...................................78
control............................................71Dipstick........................................................
heating...............................................71engine oil...........................................246
Clock.....................................................87power steering fluid............................264
Cold engine starting...............................44Dispute Settlement Board.......................214
Compact disc player (see Electronic...........Doors.......................................................99
sound system)....................................169lubricant specifications.......................289
Compass..............................................139................................................................
310

Engine coolant temperature gauge,.Fluid refill capacities.............................287
description..............................66Ford Dispute Settlement Board............214
Engine fan......................................233Ford Extended Service Plan......................6
Engine oil.......................................Ford Motor Company of Canada..........219
"break-in" oils............................6Ford of Canada Customer...........................
changing oil and oil filter............247Assistance Centre...............................219
checking and adding..................245Foreign registration..............................221
dipstick......................................246French owner guides, how to obtain.........3
disposal232, 250, 262.Fuel............................................................
engine oil pressure warning light54calculating fuel economy..................243
filter, specifications....................288capacity...........................................287
refill capacities...........................28-choosing the right fuel......................240
specifications.............................289comparisons with EPA fuel economy.....
synthetic oil...............................245estimates.......................................243
viscosity....................................245filling your vehicle with fuel.............238
Exhaust fumes................................49filter, specifications..........................288
Extended Service Plan, Ford...........6fuel gauge..........................................67
F....................running out of fuel...........................242
Flashers, hazard..............................92safety information relating to..................
Flashing the lights...........................90automotive fuels............................241
Flat tire..........................................204storing your vehicle..........................291
......................................................treating emergencies........................241
312