1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL trailer

See Securitires in the Features chapter for more
information.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transaxle, since your
vehicle does not use up transaxle fluid. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle is
not working properly - for instance, the transaxle
may slip or shift slowly, or you may notice some
sign of fluid leakage - the fluid level should be
checked.
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in city traffic
during hot weather, or pulling a trailer, the vehicle
should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
the fluid to cool before checking.Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
With the vehicle on a level surface and the brake fully
applied, start the engine and move the gear shift
selector through all of the gears allowing sufficient
time for each position to engage. Securely latch the
gear shift selector in the P (Park) position. Fully set
the parking brake and leave the engine running.
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back
into the filler tube and make sure it is fully seated.
Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid level.
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven until
some fluid has been added if the fluid level is below
the bottom dimple on the dipstick and the outside
temperature is above 50°F (10°C). Add only enough
fluid to bring the level above the bottom hole.
261

If the vehicle has not been driven and the fluid level
is above the bottom dimple on the dipstick, do not
add fluid. Recheck the fluid level after your vehicle
has reached normal operating temperature.
Normal operating temperature is reached after
driving approximately 20 miles (30 km). The fluid
level should be within the crosshatched area on the
dipstick.
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds, driven in city traffic
during hot weather, or has been pulling a trailer, the
vehicle should be turned off for about 30 minutes to
allow the fluid to cool before checking.
Adding Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Before adding any fluid, be sure that the correct
type will be used. Correct type is shown on the
dipstick.
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (.25L) increments through the
filler tube to bring the level to the correct area on
262the dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL. If the level is
above the top hole on the dipstick, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified technician.
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids
in a responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to,find out about
recycling automotive fluids.Automatic over transaxle fluid dipstick

applying the brakes.........................187
brake warning light...........................52
fluid, checking and adding..............263
fluid, refill capacities.......................287
fluid, specifications.........................289
new brake linings................................6
noise...............................................188
parking...........................................188
trailer.............................................197
when storing your vehicle...............292
Brake-shift interlock.............................180
Break-in period........................................6
Bulbs, replacing....................................277
headlamps........................................278
C
Canada, customer assistance.................219
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).......................................220
Capacities for refilling fluids.................287
Carbon monoxide in exhaust...................49
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats).........................27Catalytic converter284
CD player (see Electronic sound system) . 169
Chains, tires260
Changing a tire204
Charging system warning light 55
Childproof locks 99
Child safety restraints 25
child safety belts 38
child safety seats 27
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps 38
tether anchorage hardware 38
Chime
headlamps on 58
key in ignition 42
safety belt 52
Cleaning your vehicle
chrome and aluminum parts 8
exterior 7
exterior lamps 83
fabric118
headlamps 83
309

Driving under special conditionsEmission control system
bad weather191catalytic converter................................284
heavy load192emissions warranty...............................284
high water192Engine
slippery roads191does not start....................................45
towing a trailer194fuel injected engine, starting..............43
fuel pump shut-off switch..................47
Epreparing to start..............................43
Electrical systemrefill capacities..................................287
fuses275service points....................................237
operating when the engine is off41starting.............................................44
Electronic sound systemstarting after a collision.....................47
accessory delay165storing your vehicle...........................291
antenna165Engine block heater..................................46
radio reception176Engine coolant
tuning the radio.......................................161checking and adding................247
warranty and service information.............178disposal232, 250, 262
Emergencies, roadside.........................................................drain and flush.........................251
battery acid spills...................................199preparing for storage...............291
jump-starting199................refill capacities.........................287
towing211................refill procedure........................251
Emergency brake (parking brake).................188specifications...........................289
311

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

R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems)...159
Rearview mirror...................................125
Refill capacities for fluids.....................287
Remote entry system
arming and disarming the anti-theft
system...........................................106
locking/unlocking doors...................105
opening the trunk.............................106
panic alarm......................................106
replacement/additional transmitters..107
replacing the batteries......................106
RESCU system....................................144
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult....................................................9
child..................................................25
head................................................114
infant.................................................25
Roadside emergencies..........................199
Rotating the tires..................................256S
Safe driving tips....................................190
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)............9
Safety chains, when towing a trailer......196
Safety Compliance Certification Label..192
Safety defects, reporting.......................218
Safety information relating to automotive
fuels................................................241
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts................12,16
cleaning the safety belts.....................17
extension assembly............................16
for children.......................................25
for infants.........................................25
lap and shoulder belts........................11
maintenance......................................17
replacement......................................17
warning light and chime....................52
Safety seats for children
and air bags...................................19,27
attaching with tether straps.................38
317

Seats..........................................................removing the spare tire.......................205
adjusting the seats, power................115temporary spare.................................204
child safety seats................................27Spark plugs, specifications......................288
head restraints.................................114Specification chart, lubricants.................289
Securitire.............................................141Speed control...............................................
Service concerns..................................213accelerating..........................................97
Servicing your vehicle, precautions when....canceling a set speed............................98
servicing............................................233resetting...............................................97
Shift-lock system..................................180resuming a set speed............................98
Shift positions (see Gearshift)...............181turning off............................................98
Shoulder and lap belts................................when towing a trailer..........................198
(see Safety restraints)...........................11Speedometer.............................................66
Side mirrors...............................................Starting your vehicle.....................................
adjusting..........................................126preparing to start your vehicle..............43
heated . ..........................127starting a cold engine...........................44
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof)......113starting after a collision........................47
Snow tires and chains...........................260starting a warm engine.........................45
Spare tire...................................................Steering, power......................................185
changing the tire..............................206Steering wheel..............................................
finding the spare..............................205horn.....................................................93
..............................................................tilting...................................................94
318

Storage compartments
center console..................................133
map pockets....................................134
Storing your vehicle.............................290
Sun visor..............................................128
Supplemental air bag readiness light.......59
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)....17
T
Tachometer...........................................66
Tail lamps, cleaning...............................83
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints)...........................38
Tilt steering wheel.................................94
Tires
changing...........................................204
checking the pressure.................255,256
cleaning............................................260
replacing...........................................257
rotating.............................................256
snow tires and chains........................260storing your vehicle.......................292
tire grades.....................................258
treadwear...............................257,259
wear bands....................................257
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing).....194
Towing your vehicle.............................211
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer weight..194
safety chains.....................................196
tips...................................................198
trailer brakes....................................197
trailer lamps.....................................197
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) . .................................261
fluid, refill capacities........................287
lubricant specifications.....................289
Trunk, using the remote entry
system to open...................................106
319