1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Customer Assistance Guide

To remove the spare tire:
1.Remove the spare tire cover.
2.Unscrew the wing-nut holding down the spare
tire.
3. Lift out the spare tire and jack kit.
Preparing to Change the Tire
1.Make sure that your vehicle will not move or
roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing./! WARNINGIf the vehicle slips off the jack, you orsomeone else could be seriously injured.Turn off the air suspension switch prior to jacking.
206/! WARNINGOn vehicles equipped with Air Suspension,turn OFF the Air Suspension switch prior tojacking, hoisting or towing your vehicle.Air suspension switchThe air suspension switch - located in the trunk

2. Get out the spare tire and jack./! WARNINGTo avoid injury, never run the engine withone wheel off the ground, such as whenchanging a tire.3. Remove the center ornament from the aluminum
wheel with the tapered end of the wheel nut
wrench which came with your vehicle. Insert
and twist the handle, then pry against the wheel.
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them until
the tire is raised off the ground. You should pull
up on the handle rather than push to develop
maximum force to loosen wheel lug nuts. See
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts later in this chapter
for information on removing anti-theft lug nuts.Removing and Replacing the Tire
I -Place the scissors-type jack under the side of the
vehicle and adjust the jack height with the jack
handle. The jack should fit in the notch in the
vertical rocker panel flange which is nearest to
the wheel to be changed./! WARNINGTo lessen the risk of personal injury, do notput any part of your body under the vehiclewhile changing a tire. Do not start the enginewhen your vehicle is on the jack. The jack isonly meant for changing the tire.207

The notches for the jack
2082. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the wheel
clears the ground. Remove the wheel lug nuts.
3. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making
sure that the air valve stem is facing outward.
4. Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the wheel is
snug against the hub. The beveled edges on the
lug nuts face inward. Do not fully tighten the lug
nuts until you lower the vehicle. If you do, you
could force the vehicle off the jack.
5. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
6. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in
the order shown in the following illustration. As
soon as possible, have your dealer or a qualified
service technician check the lug nuts for proper
torque specifications.
7.
8.

9. Lug nutThe lug nuts on the wheel
7.Place any ornaments in the trunk.
8.Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. Make
sure the jack is securely fastened so it does not
rattle when You drive.
9.Unblock the wheels.
10. Turn on the air suspension switch.After replacing a flat tire with the temporary spare
tire, the flat tire can be secured in the trunk tub by
placing the "J" hook through a lug nut hole in the
wheel with the tire and wheel lying at an angle.
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts
(If equipped)
If your vehicle has this option, one of the lug nuts on
each wheel locks and must be unlocked with a special
key. The key and registration card are attached to the
lug wrench and stored with the spare tire. If you lose
the key, send the registration card to the manufacturer
(not the dealer) to get a replacement key.
NOTE: If entire lug wrench/lug nut key assembly is
lost, see Your nearest Ford Or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer who has access to a master set of keys.
DO NOT USE A POWER IMPACT WRENCH
ON THE LUG NUT KEY
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Lug nut key Anti-theft lug nutThe anti-theftft lug nut and key
Removing the anti-theft lug nut
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make sure
that you hold the key square to the lug nut. If you
hold the key on an angle, you may damage the key
and the lug nut.
Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and
apply pressure on the key with the wrench. Turn the
wrench in a counterclockwise direction to remove
the lug nut.
210Replacing the anti-theft lug nut
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the lug
nut wrench over the lug nut key and, while applying
pressure on the key, install the lug nut.
If the Engine Cranks But Does Not
Start or Does Not Start After a
Collision
The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you have
had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may
have been triggered. The shut-off switch is a device
that stops the fuel pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a substantial jolt.
For information on how to check and reset the fuel
pump shut-off switch, see Fuel pump shut-off switch
in the Index.

Towing Your Vehicle
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a
professional towing service or, if you are a member,
your roadside assistance center. Typical towing
options include wheel lift towing or flat bed towing.Front towingRear towing
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what
kind of vehicle you have. A towing manual is
available from Ford Motor Company for 0 authorized
tow truck operators. Have your tow truck driver
refer to this manual for the proper hook-up and
towing procedures for your vehicle.
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Lincoln RESCU System
(If equipped)
The Lincoln RESCU buttons, located in the
overhead console, should be used in the event that
you require roadside assistance (out of gas, need a
tow, etc.) or emergency assistance (involved in an
accident, report a crime or fire, require medical
attention, etc.).
212See Lincoln RESCU System in the Features chapter
for more information.

Customer AssistanceIf You Have a Service Problem
Ford Motor Company has authorized Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships that can service your
vehicle for you. This chapter tells you how to get
service or maintenance for your vehicle.
Service/Maintenance Concerns
(U.S. or Canada)
Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your selling
dealer who wants to ensure your continued
satisfaction. You may, however, take your vehicle
to any authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
In most cases, your dealer will be able to resolve
your concern.If you are not satisfied with the service you received
from your dealership's service department, talk to the
service manager at the dealership, or if you still are
not satisfied, talk to the owner or general manager of
the dealership. In most cases, you will have your
concern resolved at this level.
If you are away from home when your vehicle needs
to be serviced, or if you need more help than the
dealer gave you, contact the Ford Customer
Assistance Center to find an authorized dealership
that may be able to help you.
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