1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL transmission

An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Maintenance and care
164

²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
2 km/h [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollover/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Use of fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Flat terrain driving improves fuel economy over hilly roads.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of Km/L (MPG) expected on
the vehicle, depending upon the driver's method of operation and
conditions.
Maintenance and care
181

Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel. For your
protection, you will also find the
vehicle identification number in the
following areas (if applicable):
²the left and right front fenders
²the left and right front doors
²the front and rear bumpers
²the hood
²the left and right rear quarter
panels
²the decklid
²the liftgate (if equipped)
ENGINE NUMBER
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block, transmission, frame and
transfer case (if equipped).
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AIR BAG
Capacities and specifications
200

Accessory delay ..........................75
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................101
and child safety seats ............102
description .......................101,105
disposal ....................................107
indicator light ..................105,107
passenger air bag ............103,106
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ...........26,27,28,30
Air filter, cabin ..........................166
Air suspension
warning light ...........................124
Anti-theft system .................79,122
arming the system ....................79
disarming a triggered system ..80
Automatic transaxle .................125
driving with ...............127,128,129
Automatic transmission
fluid, refill capacities ................12
Brakes ........................................120
anti-lock ............................120,121
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................121
fluid, checking and adding ....157
shift interlock ..........................125
Break-in period .............................3
CD player .....................44,45,46,47
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..114
in rear seat ..............................111
tether anchorage hardware ...114
Cleaning your vehicle ...............190
engine compartment ..............191
exterior .............................191,193
exterior lamps .........................192
plastic parts ............................192
washing ....................................190
waxing .....................................191
wheels ......................................191
windows ..................................194wiper blades ............................192
woodtone trim ........................194
Clock ............................................32
Compass, electronic ....................71
calibration .................................72
set zone adjustment .................71
Console ...................................78,79
overhead ....................................55
Controls
power seat ............................92,94
Coolant ...............................160,161
checking and adding ..............159
refill capacities ........................161
Defrost
rear window ..............................31
Emission control system ..........182
Engine
coolant .....................................158
idle speed control ...................164
service points ..........................153
starting after a collision .........135
Engine block heater .................118
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............155
dipstick ....................................154
specifications ...................154,156
Exhaust fumes ..........................118
Floor mats ...................................79
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........176
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................181
detergent in fuel .....................178
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................174,176
fuel filler door override ............78
fuel filler door release lever ....78
gauge .........................................10
quality ......................................177
running out of fuel .................178
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................174
Index
202

replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................84
replacing the batteries .............83
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .................9
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety
belts ..................................100,193
extension assembly ..................99
for children ......................108,109
lap belt ......................................98
warning light and chime .....9,100
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) .....................95,96,97,98
Seats ............................................92
child safety seats ....................110
cleaning ............................193,194
Seats-easy access/easyout
feature .........................................95
Servicing your vehicle ..............152
Spark plugs, specifications .......195
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................196
Speed control ..............................50
Speedometer ...............................11
Starting your vehicle .........115,117
jump starting ............146,147,149
Steering wheel ............................49
tilting .........................................53
Tachometer .................................11
Tires ...............168,169,170,171,172
changing ..................................142
checking the pressure ............172
replacing ..................................173rotating ....................................172
snow tires and chains ............174
tire grades ...............................172
treadwear ................................171
Towing
wrecker ....................................151
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............195
Transmission .............................162
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ......................162,163
Trunk ...........................................82
remote release lever .................77
Turn signal ..................................10
Universal transmitter
(see garage door opener) ....67,68,
69,70
Vehicle dimensions ...................197
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................200
Vehicle loading .....130,132,133,134
Ventilating your vehicle ...........119
Warning chimes .............................6
Washer fluid ..............................158
Water, Driving through .............130
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts ..................145
Windows .................................74,75
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and cleaning ............168
operation ...................................48
replacing wiper blades ...........168
Index
204

Item Information
Recommended fuel Unleaded fuel only - 91 octane
Fuel tank capacity 75.7L (20.0 gallons)
Engine oil capacity (includes filter
change)5.7L (6.0 quarts). Use Motorcraft
5W30 Super Premium Motor Oil,
Ford specification WSS-M2C153-G.
Automatic transaxle fluid capacity
113.0L (13.7 quarts). Use
Motorcraft MercontV ATF.
Tire size and pressure Refer to Tire Pressure Decal on
rear passenger side door panel.
Hood release Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel.
Coolant capacity
215.0L (15.8 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line on reservoir. Use
Motorcraft MERCONtAT F.
1Ensure correct automatic transmission fluid is used for a specific
application. Check the container to verify the fluid is MERCONtand/or
MERCONtV approved. Some fluids have been approved as meeting both
MERCONtand MERCONtV requirements and will be labeled as such.
Fluids labeled as meeting only MERCONtor only MERCONtV
requirements must not be used interchangeably. DO NOT mix MERCONt
and MERCONtV. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the
dipstick or on the dipstick handle. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance
Guide to determine the correct service interval.
2If your engine coolant is green in color, use Ford Premium Cooling
System Fluid. If your engine coolant is orange in color, use Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant. Refer toAdding engine coolant, in the
Maintenance and Care chapter.
Filling station information
208