1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL belt

Installing a child safety seat in the center seating position with
adjustable lap belt
1. Lengthen the lap belt. To lengthen the belt, hold the tongue so that its
bottom is perpendicular to the direction of webbing while sliding the
tongue up the webbing.
2. Place the child safety seat in the center seating position.
3. Route the tongue and webbing through the child seat according to the
child seat manufacturer's instructions.
4. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle for the center seating
position until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on tongue.
5. Push down on the child seat while pulling on the loose end of the lap
belt webbing to tighten the belt.
6. Before placing the child into the child seat, forcibly tilt the child seat
from side to side and in forward direction to make sure that the seat is
held securely in place. If the child seat moves excessively, repeat steps 5
through 6, or properly install the child seat in a different position.
Attaching safety seats with tether straps
Some manufacturers make safety seats that include a tether strap that
goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring
point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory.
Contact the manufacturer of your child safety seat for information about
ordering a tether strap.
Tether anchorage hardware
All vehicles include a tether anchor
installed at the rear center seating
position for use with child safety
seats. Attachment holes (at each
rear outboard seating position) have
been provided in your vehicle to
attach anchor hardware, if required.
Additional kit can be obtained and
installed at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
The tether strap anchorage bracket for the rear center seating position
was factory installed and is located directly beneath the rear window
Seating and safety restraints
88

PREPARING TO START YOUR VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the ignition system. This system meets
all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard requirements
regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle revolutions per minute
(RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have
the vehicle checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten
minutes at fast rpm.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and safety restraintschapter.
Starting
90

Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the light (
) will not illuminate.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5 (START)
without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will return to
4 (ON).
2. If the engine does not start within five seconds, wait ten seconds and
try again.
3. If the engine does not start in two attempts or if the temperature is
below -12ÉC (10ÉF), depress the accelerator and start the engine while
holding the accelerator down. Release the accelerator when the engine
starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake and release the parking
brake.
80
MPH km/h
ABS
P!BRAKE
+ –
RPMx1000NORM
T/C
OFF
CHEF
FILL ON RIGHT
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON AIR
BAG TURN ON
HEAD
LAMPS0 123456
7
0 2060
80
100
120
0 204060100
120
140
160
180
200
40
000000.0
P R N D 3 1
3
2
1
5
4
Starting
92

²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a tar remover if
necessary. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of your vehicle. Use glass
cleaner or tar remover if necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the windshield and wiper
blades with undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild detergent.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the blades, do not
use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection.
Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belts, because
these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system periodically to make sure there are no
nicks, wear or cuts. If your vehicle has been involved in an accident,
refer to theSafety belt maintenancesection in theSeating and safety
restraintschapter.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
Maintenance and care
157

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................80
and child safety seats ..............81
description ................................80
disposal ......................................83
indicator light ...........................82
passenger air bag .....................81
Air suspension
description ................................98
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS)#$description
Anti-theft system ........................63
Battery .......................................136
Brakes ..........................................95
anti-lock .....................................95
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................95
fluid, checking and adding ....130
traction control .........................97
Brake-shift interlock ...................99
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................150
headlamps ...............................150
specifications ..........................154
Changing a tire .........................119
Child safety seats ........................84
Childproof locks ..........................61
Chime
headlamps on ..............................9
Cleaning your vehicle ...............155
engine compartment ..............156
instrument panel ....................157
plastic parts ............................157
safety belts ..............................157
tail lamps .................................157
washing ....................................155
waxing .....................................155
wheels ......................................156
windows ..................................159
woodtone trim ........................158Climate control system
automatic temperature
control ..............27,28,29,30,31,32
Clock ............................................33
Compass, electronic ....................55
calibration .................................57
set zone adjustment .................56
Controls .......................................62
Electronic sound system ............62
Emission control system ..........149
Engine ........................................162
service points ..........................127
Engine block heater ...................93
Engine coolant
checking and adding .......131,132
disposal ....................................133
refill capacities ........................133
Engine oil ...........................128,129
changing oil and oil filter .......130
checking and adding .......128,129
Exhaust fumes ............................93
Floor mats ...................................63
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......148
improving fuel economy ........108
octane rating ...........................147
quality ......................................147
running out of fuel .................148
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................146
Fuel gauge ...................................10
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......109
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................110
power distribution box ...........117
Fuses ...................................109,110
Gauges, Mechanical ....................10
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................11
Headlamps
autolamp system .......................27
flashing ......................................26
Index
167

high beam .................................26
Heating ........................................27
High beams
indicator light .............................8
Hood
release lever ............................127
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........34
Jump-starting your vehicle .....122,
123
attaching cables ......................123
disconnecting cables ..............124
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................70
keypad .......................................68
programming entry code ........68,
69,70
Keys
key in ignition chime .................9
Lamps
interior lamps ....................40,154
map lamps .................................40
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................7
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
brake ............................................7
charging system ..........................8
oil pressure .................................9
safety belt ...................................7
service engine soon ....................6
turn signal indicator ...................8
Lubricant specifications ...........161
Message center ...........................12
date/economy button ...............15
menu button ..............16,17,18,19
reset button ..............................16
system check button ................13
warning messages .....................13
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................57
cleaning ...................................159heated ........................................61
side view mirrors (power) .......60
Moon roof ....................................52
Odometer .....................................10
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................66
Parking brake ..............................96
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....160
Power door locks ........................58
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....134
Refill capacities for fluids ........160
Relays ........................................109
Remote entry system .................65
illuminated entry ......................67
locking/unlocking doors ...........65
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................67
replacing the batteries .............66
Reporting safety defects ..........166
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ............................75,76
extension assembly ..................78
for children ...............................83
lap and shoulder belts ........74,75
maintenance ..............................79
proper use .................................73
warning light and chime ..9,78,79
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether straps ....88
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................85
in rear seat ................................88
tether anchorage hardware .....88
Seats ............................................71
adjusting the seat, power ........71
head restraints ..........................71
heated seats ..............................73
lumbar support .........................73
Servicing your vehicle ..............126
precautions when servicing ...126
Index
168