1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL adding oil

12Engine Oil Pressure Warning LightThis 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.If 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,
seeEngine Oilin 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, seeAdding
engine oilin theMaintenance and Carechapter.
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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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Update:Fri Sep 6 08:51:16 1996

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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312
checking and adding......... 227
check oil warning light........ 12
dipstick............... 227
disposal............220, 240
engine oil pressure warning light.... 12
filter, specifications.......... 271
low oil warning light......... 12
refill capacities............ 272
specifications.........226, 273
synthetic oil............. 226
viscosity.............. 226
F
Fan.................. 221
engine fan, avoiding injury...... 221
Flashers, hazard............ 68
Flashing the lights........... 65
Flat tire................ 205
Fluid refill capacities.......... 272
Ford Dispute Settlement Board...... 280
Ford Motor Company of Canada..... 284
Ford of Canada CustomerAssistance Centre........... 284
Foreign registration........... 286
French owner guides, how to obtain.... 3
Fuel................. 251
calculating fuel economy....... 256
capacity............... 272
choosing the right fuel........ 253
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates......... 257
filling your vehicle with fuel...... 251
filter, specifications.......... 271
fuel filler door release lever...... 251
fuel gauge.............. 18
octane rating............ 253
quality............... 253
running out of fuel.......... 256
safety information relating to
automotive fuels.......... 255
storing your vehicle......... 275
treating emergencies......... 255
Fuel cap................ 251
removing.............. 251
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321
Trailer towing (continued)
trailer lamps............. 188
Transaxle
automatic operation......177, 178
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic).........238, 239
fluid, refill capacities......... 272
lubricant specifications........ 273
Transaxle control switch......... 181
Trunk, using the remote entry system
to open............... 123
Tune-up specifications (VECI)...... 260
Turn signal.............. 64
indicator lights...........14,65
lever...............64,65
U
Used engine oil, disposal.....220, 240
V
Variable interval wipers......... 66
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information)
decal................ 260
Vehicle loading
automatic transaxles......... 184
automatic transmissions........ 184
calculating the load.......... 184
manual transaxles.......... 184
manual transmissions......... 184
understanding loading information . . . 183
Vehicle storage............. 274
Ventilating your vehicle
(see Climate control)....... 45,51
Viscosity (see Engine oil)........ 226
Visor (see Sun visor).......... 94
Voltmeter (see Battery voltage gauge) . . . 13
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Update:Tue Sep 17 08:28:54 1996