1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL lights

condition occurring. A warm up cycle consists
of engine start from a cold condition (engine at
ambient temperature) and running until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature.
On the fourth engine start up, the Service
Engine Soon light will turn off as soon as the
engine begins to crank. It is not necessary to
have the engine serviced.
Under certain conditions, the Service Engine
Soon Light may come on if the fuel cap is not
properly installed. If the Service Engine Soon
Light comes on and you suspect that the fuel
cap is not properly installed, pull off the road as
soon as it is safely possible and turn off the
engine. Remove and replace the cap, making
sure it is properly seated.
After completing the three consecutive warm
up cycles and on the fourth engine start up, the
Service Engine Soon Warning Light should
turn off. If the light does not go off after the
fourth engine re-start, have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a qualified
technician.
58High Beam LightThis light comes on 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.

The Instrument Cluster
In addition to warning lights, the instrument
cluster has a message center/odometer, a
speedometer, tachometer, fuel and coolant
temperature gauges.
The Electronic Message Center (M/C)
The Electronic Message Center only works
when the ignition is in the ON position.
Each time the WC is powered the display goes
through a self test by displaying the PLEASE
FASTEN SEATBELT message. This self test
is used to stabilize the systems before reporting
the status to you.
60The message center tells you about the
condition of your vehicle by two methods: operator selectable features continuous warning reporting of
monitored systems
You can select different features for the M/C to
display by using the message center control
buttons located to the right of the instrument
cluster. You will hear a tone when you press one
of these buttons. However, if the M/C detects a
warning from any of the monitored systems, then
the M/C will display the appropriate warning
message.

The button that controls the rear window
defroster and heated outside rearview mirrors
Clear away any snow that is on the rear window
and outside rearview mirrors before using the
defroster. With the engine running, push the
defroster button.
After approximately 10 minutes, the defroster
will turn off. If the window or mirrors are still
not clear, turn the defroster on again.The defroster will turn off when the ignition key is
turned to the OFF or START position.
The heating elements are bonded to the inside of
the rear window. Do not use sharp objects to
scrape the inside of the rear window or use
abrasive cleaners to clean it. Doing so could
damage the heating elements.
The Interior and Exterior Lights
Daytime Running Light System
(Canadian vehicles only)
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system turns
the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced light
output, when:
œ The headlamp system is in the OFF position,
and
œ The vehicle is running, and
œ The vehicle has a fully released parking brake.
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The high beam indicator light on the instrument
cluster will not be on.
NOTE:If you have a vehicle with an
automatic lighting system, the DRL system is
active until the automatic system turns on the
headlamps.
NOTE:You may notice that the lights
flicker when the vehicle is turned on or off. This
is a normal condition./!\WARNINGThe Daytime Running Light (DRL)system will not illuminate the taillamps and parking lamps. Turn onyour headlamps at dusk. Failure to doso may result in a collision.Turning On the Exterior Lights
To turn on the headlamps, parking lamps, side
markers, and tail lamps, use the rotary switch
that is to the left of the steering wheel.
82The knob for the exterior lights
To turn on the parking lamps, tail lamps,
and license plate lamps, turn the knob
clockwise to the first position.
For more information about how the high
beams work, refer to the Steering Column
Controls chapter.

If the autolamp is active, the headlamp system
will come on immediately after starting your
vehicle. If your vehicle is running before you
activate the autolamp, there may be a 15 second
delay before the headlights illuminate.
2.Turn the ignition key to ON or start your
vehicle.
3.Find the autolamp switch to the left of the
steering wheel on the instrument panel.
4. Push the autolamp switch up toward the
MAX position. As you press this switch, the
autolamp system's status will be displayed in
the message center. The system can be
turned OFF or can be set to provide light for
up to three (3) minutes after you turn your
vehicle off.
84Do not put any articles on top of the photocell
that is located in the top left corner of the
instrument panel. This photocell controls the
autolamp. If you cover it, the photocell reacts
as if it is nighttime, and the lamps turn on.
To turn the autolamp off, push the switch down
until the message center display reaches OFF.
Turning On Interior
Lights/Instrument Panel Illumination
You can brighten or dim the lights in the
instrument panel and the compass display
in the inside rearview mirror (if
equipped) with the PANEL DIM switch
located on the instrument panel.

Panel dim switch
The switch that controls interior lamps and
instrument panel brightness
To turn on the interior lights, hold the Panel Dim
switch up until the interior lights turn on. To
turn off the interior lights, push the Panel Dim
switch down. The interior lights also come on
when any door is opened or if either front door
outside handle is lifted with the door locked.Turning On the Map Lamps
Your vehicle has a map lamp for the passenger and
one for the driver.TTThe map lamps on vehicles equipped with a
moon roof
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Map lamp Dome lamp ON/OFF Switches
The map lamps on the inside roof of the car
To turn on the map lamps, push the switches in
front of each lamp.
On vehicles equipped with the moon roof
Option, the map lamps and switches are located
on the inside rearview mirror.
86Rear Courtesy/Reading Lamps
Your vehicle has two rear passenger
courtesy/reading lamps.
The courtesy lamp lights when any door is
opened or when the instrument panel
dimmer switch is turned to the courtesy
lamp position or if either front door outside
handle is lifted with the door locked.
With the ignition key in the ACC or ON
position, the reading lamp can be turned on
by using the rocker switch on the lamp
assembly.

Steering Column ControlsThe controls on the steering column and wheel
are designed to give you easy access to the
controls while you are driving.
The Turn Signal Lever
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side
of the steering column to: operate the turn signals and cornering lamps turn the high beams on/off flash the lights turn the windshield wipers and washer on/offThe turn signal lever
Turn Signals
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move it
down to signal a left turn. The corresponding
indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash.
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