1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL adding oil

Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not
the oil level. However, if your engine's oil level
is low, it could affect the oil pressure. The
light will come on briefly when you turn your
key to the START and ON position. The light
should stay off when the engine is running with
normal oil pressure. If the light comes on while
the engine is running, you have lost oil pressure
and continued operation will cause severe
engine damage.
54If you lose engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe engine
damage could result.
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine oil,
see the Engine Oil in the Index. If you do not
follow these instructions, you or others could be
injured. To assure an accurate reading, your car
should be on level ground.
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again. Do
not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the light
is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact your
nearest dealer for further service actions.
For more information about adding oil, see Adding
engine oil in the Servicing Your Vehicle chapter.

The API Certification Mark
Never use:"Non-Detergent" oilsOils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or
SGAdditional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatmentsEngine oils with an SAE 5W-30 viscosity are
PREFERRED for your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and engine
protection for all climates down to -15°F (-25°C).
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of
the preferred viscosity may be used in your engine.
The engine oil and oil filter must still be changed
according to the maintenance schedule.
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
Since the proper amount of engine oil is important
for safe engine operation, check the oil using the
dipstick each time you put fuel in your vehicle.
Remember the engine must be off, the oil must be
warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
Checking the engine oil level:
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and
allow a few minutes for the engine oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
245

2.Set the parking brake, making sure the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park).
3.Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
4.Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the engine.
5.Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.Engine oil dipstick
2466.Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil
level is below the "ADD 1 QT" line, add engine
oil as necessary. If the oil level is beyond the
letter "F" in Full, engine damage or high oil
consumption may occur and some oil must be
removed from the engine.
7.Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully
seated.
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED engine
oil of the preferred viscosity. Your vehicle's
warranty coverage may not apply if engine damage is
caused by the use of improper engine oil.
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted
in yellow. To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a
funnel to pour oil into the opening. Be careful not to
overfill the engine. Recheck the oil level after you
finish adding oil.

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

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