1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL tow

189
Driving While You TowBe especially careful when driving while you tow a
trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h)
when you tow in hilly country on hot days. Also,
anticipate stops so that you can brake gradually.
Towing a trailer increases the load on the engine
and transaxle, particularly in hilly country and with
heavier trailers. Under these conditions you may
experience an excessive amount of shifting between
Overdrive and Third gears. Moving the shift selector
to D (Overdrive Lockout) will keep this from
happening and will provide better engine braking.
When driving in less hilly country or with a lighter
trailer load, you may move the gearshift selector
lever toj(Overdrive) without experiencing
excessive shifting.When driving down steep hills, you should put the
gearshift selector lever in the 1 (First) position to
shift the transaxle into second gear. This will
provide additional engine braking.
The automatic transaxle will automatically
downshift to the proper gear for driving up a grade.
If you use the speed control while you are towing
on very long, steep grades, the speed control may
shut off.
Servicing Your Vehicle If You TowIf you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle
will need to be serviced more frequently than usual.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
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217
Towing Your VehicleIf 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 towing
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218Rear towingWhen calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what
kind of vehicle you have. A towing manual is
available from Ford Motor Company for all
authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow
truck driver refer to this manual for the proper
hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
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.).
SeeLincoln RESCU Systemin theFeatureschapter
for more information.
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269
Cleaning Plastic PartsSome of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are
plastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover if
necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning.
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove
oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil
remover. If rustproofing is not removed from plastic
and rubber parts, it can cause deterioration.Cleaning the Safety BeltsClean the safety belts with any mild soap solution
that is recommended for cleaning upholstery or
carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belt webbing
because this may weaken it.
Cleaning the Instrument Panel LensClean the instrument panel lens and woodtone trim
with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner. Do not use
paper towel or any abrasive cleaner to clean either
the lens or the woodtone trim as these may cause
scratches.Cleaning the Exterior LampsDo not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or
abrasive cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may
cause scratches or crack the lamps.Cleaning the Interior LampsYour interior dome lamps and map lamps are plastic
and should be cleaned with a mild detergent
diluted in water. Rinse them with clear water.
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310Clutch
fluid reservoir............ 229
specifications............ 273
Cold engine starting.......... 166
Combination lap and shoulder belts . 135, 137
Compact disc player (see Electronic sound
system)............... 35
Compact disc radio (see Electronic
sound system)............ 27
Console, description.......... 113
Controls, mirrors............ 92
Convenience kit in cargo area...... 206
Coolant (see Engine coolant)....... 231
checking and adding......... 231
preparing for storage......... 275
refill capacities............ 272
specifications............ 273
temperature gauge.......... 17
warnings.............. 231
Cooling fan.............. 221
Crankcase emission filter........ 271Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada............ 284
D
Daytime running light system...... 56
Defects, reporting............ 277
Dipstick................ 227
automatic transaxle fluid....238, 239
engine oil.............. 227
power steering fluid......... 237
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 217
Dispute Settlement Board........ 280
Doors................. 103
lubricant specifications........ 273
Driving under special conditions
heavy load............. 183
towing a trailer........... 185
E
Electrical system, fuses......192, 203
Electronic sound system
antenna............... 31
tuning the radio........... 27
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311
Electronic sound system (continued)
warranty and service information.... 44
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 27
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic
sound system)............ 27
Emergencies, roadside
fuel................ 255
jump-starting............ 211
towing............... 217
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 172
Emission control system......... 258
catalytic converter.......... 258
emissions warranty.........4,258
Engine
does not start.........167, 191
fuel injected engine, starting . . . 165, 166
fuel pump shut-off switch....... 191
preparing to start.......... 165
refill capacities............ 272
service points............ 224
starting............... 166starting after a collision........ 191
storing your vehicle......274, 275
Engine block heater........... 168
Engine coolant............. 231
checking and adding......... 231
disposal............220, 240
preparing for storage......... 275
proper solution........220, 240
recovery reservoir.......224, 231
refill capacities............ 272
specifications............ 273
temperature gauge.......... 17
Engine coolant temperature gauge..... 17
description............. 17
mechanical............. 17
Engine coolant temperature
guage:electronic........... 17
Engine fan............... 221
Engine knocking............ 253
Engine oil............... 226
ªbreak-inº oils............. 5
changing oil and oil filter....227, 228
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316
rear ABS.............. 11
safety belt.............. 10
service engine soon......... 14
theft system............. 16
turn signal indicator...... 14,64,65
Load limits.............. 183
GAWR............... 183
GVWR............... 183
trailer towing............ 185
Lubricant specifications......... 273
Luggage compartment.......... 116
Lug nuts............... 207
anti-theft.............. 210
standard.............. 208
tightening sequence......... 207
M
Maintenance schedule and record
(see separate Maintenance Schedule
and Record booklet)........... 3
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 219Master cylinder, brakes......... 229
Mileage, calculating fuel economy..... 257
Mirrors................ 92
automatic dimming rearview mirror . . . 92
heated............... 112
rearview.............. 92
side view mirrors.......... 92
side view mirrors (manual)...... 110
Moon roof............... 91
Motorcraft parts............ 271
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration............ 277
New vehicle break-in........... 5
O
Octane rating............. 253
Odometer............... 17
description............. 17
Oil filter.............228, 271
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 226
Oil viscosity.............. 226
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318
replacement/additional transmitters . . . 125
replacing the batteries........ 124
Reporting safety defects......... 277
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult.............131, 135
child................ 148
head................ 131
infant............148, 149
Reverse................ 181
Roadside emergencies.......... 191
Rotating the tires............ 247
S
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)..... 135
Safety chains, when towing a trailer.... 187
Safety Compliance Certification Label . . . 183
Safety defects, reporting......... 277
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 255
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts . . 137, 138, 142
automatic locking mode........ 140
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . . 140center front lap belt......... 141
center rear lap belt.......... 141
cleaning the safety belts........ 269
extension assembly.......... 142
for adults.............. 135
for children............. 148
for infants...........148, 149
for pregnant women......... 135
head................ 131
lap and shoulder belts.....135, 137
lap belt............... 141
maintenance............. 143
proper use............. 135
replacement............. 143
warning light and chime....... 10
Safety seats for children......... 149
and air bags............. 149
attaching with tether straps...... 160
automatic locking mode
(retractor)..........140, 149
in front seat............. 149
in rear outboard........... 149
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