1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL check oil

Brake Fluid
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should
not use up brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the
level of the brake fluid to slowly fall as you put
more mileage on your vehicle and the brake lining
wears.
You should check the brake fluid at every scheduled
engine oil change, but be sure to check it at least
once a year. You can do this by looking at the fluid
level in the plastic reservoir on the master cylinder.
(See The Engine Type in this chapter to locate the
master cylinder.) The fluid level should be at or near
the MAX mark./!\ WARNINGBrake fluid is toxic.If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running
water for 15 minutes. Get medical attention ifirritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and
induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately.
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove the cap
from the reservoir. Fill the reservoir to the MAX
line with Ford High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid
C6AZ-19542-AA, C6AZ-19542-BA, or equivalent
DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification ESA-
M6C25-A./!\ WARNINGIf you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, youwill cause permanent damage to your brakes.Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low
below the seam or ridge on the outside of the plastic
reservoir - have the brake system inspected.
263

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

NOTE: Rear axle lube quantities must be
replaced every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or if
the axle has been submerged in water. Otherwise,
the lube should not be checked or changed unless a
leak is suspected or repair required.
Vehicle Storage
Maintenance Tips
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended
period of time (60 days or more), refer to the
following maintenance recommendations to ensure
your vehicle stays in good operating condition.
General Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place. Protect from sunlight, if possible. If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
290Body Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease,
oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces, rear
wheel housing and underside of front fenders. Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations. Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust. Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent discoloration.
Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed. Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil. Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading. Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.

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

Keys.............................................................charging system...............................55
key in ignition chime............................42engine oil pressure...........................54
positions of the ignition........................41high beam........................................58
removing from the ignition...................42oil pressure......................................54
stuck in lock position...........................42safety belt........................................52
L.................................service engine soon..........................56
Lamps..........................................................turn signal indicator.........................56
autolamp delay system.........................83Load limits
checking............................................277GAWR............................................192
................................................................GVVVR..........................................192
daytime running light system................81trailer towing...................................194
flashing the lamps................................90Lubricant specifications........................289
hazard flashers.....................................92Luggage compartment..........................135
headlamps............................................82Lug nuts, anti-theft...............................209
high beams...........................................90
replacing bulbs...................................277..........................M
trailer.................................................197Maintenance (see Servicing).................231
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal)....89Map pockets.........................................134
Lights, warning and indicator.......................Methanol in fuel...................................241
air bag.................................................59Mileage, calculating fuel economy........243
anti-theft..............................................59Mirrors
brake...................................................52automatic dimming rearview mirror..125
315

Mirrors (continued)........P
heated........................127Panic alarm feature, remote entry................
rearview....................125system................................................106
Moon roof......................113Parking brake.............................................
Motorcraft parts.............288operation.........................................188
......................................Nwarning light......................................52
National Highway Traffic.SafetyParts (see Motorcraft Parts)..................288
Administration...............218Phone, cellular........................................88
......................................Power features...........................................
....................................0moon roof........................................113
Odometer, description....65seats................................................115
Oil filter.........................289windows..........................................111
Oil (see Engine oil).........244Power steering...........................................
Oil viscosity...................245driving with power steering..............185
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system....286fluid, checking and adding................264
Overdrive...............................................183fluid, refill capacity...........................287
....................................................................fluid, specifications...........................289
....................................................................Pressure alert system........................142
316