1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL warning

Driving in Bad Weather
Slippery roads
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel drive
may provide better acceleration than rear-wheel
drive. However, this does not mean that your
vehicle can stop any faster or any better than a
vehicle with rear-wheel drive. Exercise the same
caution while driving on slippery roads with your
front-wheel drive vehicle as you would with a rear-
wheel drive vehicle. Do not quickly move the steering wheel unless
necessary. Drive slower than you normally would. Give your vehicle more distance to stop./!\ WARNINGTo avoid skidding and losing control onslippery roads, do not downshift into First(1) when you are moving faster than 20mph (32 km/h)./!\ WARNINGIf your vehicle has speed control, do notuse it on slippery roads. You could losecontrol of your vehicle and could injuresomeone.If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud
or snow), you may try to "rock" it out of the
spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between
forward and reverse gears. While in each gear,
press lightly on the accelerator and release.
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/!\ WARNINGDo not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55km/h). The tires may fail and injure apassenger or bystander.By moving the vehicle backward and forward, you
may gain enough momentum to move out of the
spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few
minutes. This may overheat the engine, damage the
transaxle, or damage the tires. If you are still stuck
after a minute or two of rocking, call for a tow truck.
High water
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are
sure that the water is below the bottom of the wheel
rims.
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly.
You may have limited traction or wet brakes, so
allow extra stopping distance because your vehicle
will not stop as quickly as usual.
192After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
Driving With a Heavy Load
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also,
the weight that your vehicle carries over the
front axle and rear axle should never be more
than the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
for the respective axle.
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and
GAWR on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the left front door lock facing or on
the door latch post pillar.

The weight limits of your vehicles tires affect the
GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of replacement
tires with higher weight limit than originals does not
increase GVWR or GAWR. Usage of lower
capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR and
GAWR limitations./!\ WARNINGIf the GVWR or the GAWR specified on theSafety Compliance Certification Label isexceeded, your vehicle may be damaged oryou may lose control and injure someone.Limiting Your Vehicle's Load
The load that you add to Your vehicle must not
exceed the maximum load stated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Decal attached to the left
front door pillar.To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add
the weights of. the driver and passengers luggage and any other items that you put in
your vehicle the tongue load of the loaded trailer the Weight of any equipment that has been
added to your vehicle since it was delivered
to your dealer
If you do not know the actual weights of these
items, use the following procedure to figure the
weight of a load:
1. Weigh your vehicle without the driver,
passengers and luggage. You might take
your vehicle to a shipping company or an
inspection station for trucks.
2. Then weigh Your vehicle with the driver
passengers and luggage.
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3. Subtract the first reading from the second to
figure the total weight of the load.
After determining this load, you must also make sure
that the total weight of your vehicle, plus the load it
carries, is less than its GVWR. Also, make sure that
the weight your vehicle carries over each axle is less
than the GAWR for the respective axle.
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo
from your vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle
exceeds the GAWR for either axle, shift the load or
remove cargo accordingly./!\ WARNINGImproper distribution of your vehicle's loador carrying weight in excess of the amountshown on the tire decal can cause rapid tirewear or loss of vehicle control.194Trailer Towing
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer of up
to a maximum of 2,000 lbs. (907 kg) gross
trailer weight with a maximum tongue load of
200 lbs. (91 kg).
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of
your vehicle: Stay within the load limits for towing your
vehicle. (See Trailer towing specifications
in this chapter.) Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(See Preparing to Tow in this chapter.) Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (See Driving while you tow
in this chapter.)

Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a
trailer. (See Servicing your vehicle if you tow in
this chapter.)
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should be
on the tongue. However, the tongue load should
never exceed 10% of the maximum weight that your
vehicle can safely tow.
New vehicles should be driven 2,000 miles (3,200
km) before towing a trailer./!\ WARNINGTowing trailers beyond the maximumrecommended gross trailer weight exceeds thelimit of the vehicle and could result in enginedamage, transaxle damage, structuraldamage, loss of control, and personal injury./!\ WARNINGDo not tow a trailer when thetemporary spare tire is being used.See the following chart for the amount of
weight your vehicle can tow.
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To connect the trailer's safety chains:
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
attach them to your vehicle's frame or hook
retainers. Never attach the safety chains to your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the weight of a trailer.
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in the
chains to allow you to turn corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that
the rental agency gives you.
Connecting the trailer's brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or surge-type
hydraulic brakes are safe if you install them properly
and adjust them according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Be sure that your trailer's brakes meet
local and federal regulations.
Separate trailer brakes of adequate size should be
used for trailers weighing over 1.000 lbs. (454 kg)
loaded weight./!\ WARNINGDo not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to your vehicle'sbrake system. Your vehicle may nothave enough braking power and yourchances of having a collision greatlyincrease.Connecting the trailer's lights
Do not connect a trailer's fighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's fighting
system wiring. To get the proper equipment
for hooking up your trailer's lights, see your
local trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be
sure to follow their instructions carefully.
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's hghting
system.
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Roadside EmergenciesJump-Starting Your Vehicle
Your vehicle's battery may die if you leave the lights
on or any electrical equipment on after you turn the
engine off. If this happens, you may be able to
jump-start from a booster battery to start your
vehicle./! WARNINGThe gases around the battery can explode ifexposed to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes.An explosion could result in injury or vehicledamage./! WARNINGTo protect yourself when charging a battery,always shield your face and eyes. Make surethat you can breathe fresh air./! WARNINGApplying too much pressure on the ends whenlifting a battery could cause acid to spill. Liftthe battery with a carrier or with your handson the opposite comers.199

/! WARNINGBatteries contain sulfuric acid which bumsskin, eyes, and clothing.If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15
minutes. If someone swallows the acid, have him or
her drink lots of milk or water first, then Milk of
Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable oil. Call a
doctor immediately.
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and
to avoid injury to yourself, follow these directions
for preparing your vehicle to jump-start and
connecting the jumper cables in the order they are
given. If in doubt, call for road service.
200Preparing Your Vehicle
1 .Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system. You
will damage your starting motor, ignition system,
and other electrical parts if you connect them to a
24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt
batteries in series,or a 24-volt generator set).
2.Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
3.Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the
disabled vehicle. Make sure the vehicles do not
touch each other. Set the parking brake on both
vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan
and other moving parts.
4.Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the jumper
cables.