1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Owners Manual

175
During the Traction Control
TM
function, which most
often occurs during low speed acceleration on
slippery surfaces, a noise may be heard coming from
the engine compartment. This is normal and may
last for a few seconds during the acceleration of the
vehicle.
In general, this system improves your vehicle's
stability and acceleration performance when road
conditions warrant. Traction Control
TM
is fully
effective at all vehicle speeds.
If the Traction Control
TM
system is cycled
excessively, the brake portion of the system will
shut down to prevent the front brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Control
TM
function
using engine torque will still control wheels from
spinning. A cooling down period is required to
prevent damage to the brakes. This time periodvaries and depends on brake usage during the
cooling down period. Anti-Lock braking is not
affected and will function normally during the cool
down period.
After the cool down period, the full Traction
Control
TM
function is restored.
Rear Air Suspension Adaptive
Ride Control SystemYour vehicle has an air suspension system with
automatic rear load leveling and automatic ride
control. This system keeps the rear of your vehicle
at a constant level by adding air or releasing air
from the springs. Ride and handling is enhanced by
firming shock absorber performance during certain
road conditions, steering maneuvers, braking, and
accelerations and is returned to the driver selected
ride calibration when driver or road surface induced
motion changes are completed.
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176A shutoff switch is located behind an access panel
in the left side of the trunk. If this switch is in the
OFF position, the rear air suspension system will
remain at a constant state, not adjusting for varying
loads or driving conditions.
Normal vehicle operation does not require any
action by the driver.
For a more complete listing of the various driving
and steering options available, seeRoad Calibrated
Suspensionin theFeatureschapter.
The air suspension switch
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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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178
PuttingYou rVehicl ein Gear
WARNING
Hol dthebrak epeda ldow nwhil eyou

179
WARNING
DO NO TDRIV EYOU RVEHICLE
Onc eyo uplac ethe gearshif tsecurel yint oposition,

180Using a console-mounted gearshift
(If equipped)
The console-mounted gearshift
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181
The console-mounted gearshift thumb button and
brake pedal must be depressed to move the
gearshift lever out of P (Park). The thumb button
pops out automatically when the gearshift latches
into position. Once the gearshift is secure, gradually
release the brake pedal and use the accelerator as
necessary.Gear Selection (Column- and
Console-Mounted Control)R (Reverse)With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position, the
vehicle will move backward. You should always
come to a complete stop before shifting into or out
of R (Reverse).N (Neutral)With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position, the
vehicle can be started and is free to roll. Hold the
brake pedal down while in this position.
DrivingWhen to usej(Overdrive)j(Overdrive) is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transaxle. It works the same
way D (Drive) works, automatically upshifting or
downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows.
However,j(Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth
gear Ð an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at a consistent speed for any length of time.
This fourth gear will increase your fuel economy
when you travel at cruising speeds.
j(Overdrive) may not be appropriate for certain
terrain. If the transaxle shifts back and forth
between third and fourth gears while you are
driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle requires
additional power for climbing hills, shift to D
(Drive).
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182When to use D (Drive)D (Drive) eliminates the excessive shifting between
third and fourth gears that your vehicle sometimes
does when you are traveling through hilly terrain in
jOverdrive. It also gives more engine braking to
slow your vehicle on downgrades thanj
Overdrive.When to use 1 (First)Use 1 (First) when added engine braking is desired
when descending steep hills.
The automatic transaxle will shift to the proper gear
to ascend any grade without any need to shift to 1
(First).
P (Park)Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the transaxle
and prevents the front wheels from rotating.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn off the
ignition whenever you leave your vehicle.
You can tell a column-mounted gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) if the lever is adjacent to the P
(Park) and you cannot move it without pulling it
toward you and rotating it downward.
You can tell a console-mounted gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) if the lever is adjacent to the P
(Park) and you cannot move it without pushing in
the thumb button.
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