1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL check engine

177
Steering Your VehicleYour vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help steer
your vehicle.
If the amount of effort needed to steer your vehicle
changes, check your steering effort selection in the
Message Center. If this is not the problem, have the
power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually but
it takes more effort.
The steering system in your vehicle is speed
sensitive. This means that the steering effort is light
for parking and heavier for highway driving.
However, if you have to swerve around an object
or another vehicle, your steering will have full
power assist.
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right
or left for more than five seconds if the engine is
running. This can damage the power steering pump.
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive TransaxleYour automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully
automatic operation in eitherj(Overdrive) or D
(Drive). Driving with the shift selector inj
(Overdrive) gives the best fuel economy for normal
driving conditions. For manual control, start in 1
(First) and then shift manually.
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Powertrain Control Module that limits engine
and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to
promote durability.
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213
Preparing Your Vehicle1. 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.
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. Press
the DEFROST button. Turning on the fan helps
protect the electrical system from voltage
surges. Turn off all other switches and gauges.
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219
Maintenance and CareService Made EasyFord has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
q
When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your vehicle
easy. The maintenance schedule is located in
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you
need to check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner
Maintenance Checks listed in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet be performed for the proper
operation of your vehicle. In addition to the
conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance
Checklist, be alert for any unusual noise, vibration,
or other indication that your vehicle may need
service. If you do notice something unusual, see
that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
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227
Checking and Adding Engine OilSince 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.
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
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the oil
level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº 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.
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228It 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 30
minutes to allow the oil to settle.Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil
FilterChange your engine oil and oil filter according to
these mileage and time requirements, whichever
occurs first.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
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234Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm
your engine cooling system. The use of an improper
coolant may void the warranty of your vehicle's
engine cooling system.Recycled engine coolantFord Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes. Not all
coolant recycling processes produce coolant which
meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A, and use of
such coolant may harm engine and cooling system
components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and disposing
of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacityTo find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling
system can hold, refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specificationschapter.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system
for leaks if you have to add more than a quart
(liter) of engine coolant per month.Severe winter climateIf you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
-34ÊF[-36ÊC]), it may benecessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to the chart
on the coolant container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is such that the
coolant will not freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during winter months. Never
increase the engine coolant concentration above
60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
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236q
Select maximum heater temperature and fan
speed settings. Position control to discharge air
at A/C vents in instrument panel.
q
Start engine and allow to idle. While engine is
idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.
NOTE:IF AIR DISCHARGE REMAINS COOL AND
ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT
MOVE,SHUT ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY.
This is an indication of low coolant level and/or air
pockets in coolant system. Allow engine to cool and
repeat the previous steps.
q
Allow to idle until normal operating temperature
is reached. Hot air should discharge from A/C
vents. The engine temperature gauge should
maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of
the ªNORMALº range and the lower radiator
hose should feel hot to the touch.
q
Shut off the engine and allow to cool down.
q
After the engine cools down, recheck the
engine coolant level. Fill reservoir to the
COLD-FULL level as required.
q
Check for leaks at the draincock, block plug
and vent plug.
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use. Fill to COLD-FULL
level as required.
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237
Power Steering FluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid at least
twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid1. Start the engine and let it run until the power
steering fluid reaches normal operating
temperature. The power steering fluid will be at
the right temperature when the engine coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is
near the center of the NORMAL operating
temperature range.2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
back and forth several times. Make sure that
the cap assembly is installed at this time.
3. Turn the engine off and check the level on the
power steering reservoir.
4. The fluid level is viewed through the sight
window on the power steering reservoir. If the
power steering fluid is below the middle line,
add fluid in small amounts, continuously
checking the level. Do not overfill.
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