2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL fuel cap

Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
Do not use any type of tire chains on this vehicle. This includes both
conventional and cable-type chains.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide traction in
rain or snow. However, during the winter months in some climates, you
may need to use snow tires.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel system to work improperly in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a cancer-causing agent.
Maintenance and care
187

The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
²Place approved fuel container on the ground.
²DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle.
²Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
²DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the ªService Engine Soon/Check Engineº indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
Maintenance and care
189

The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel system to work improperly in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline with
an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or
higher for optimum performance.
The use of gasolines with lower
octane ratings may degrade performance. We do not recommend the use
of gasolines labeled as ªPremiumº in high altitude areas that are sold
with octane ratings of less than 91.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªPremiumº
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
190

ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km (1 000
miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3 000 km±5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill Capacities
section of theCapacities and specificationschapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of usable fuel remaining in the
fuel tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of empty reserve varies and should not be relied
upon to increase driving range. When refueling your vehicle after
the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be able to refuel
the full amount of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due to
the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow three automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Maintenance and care
192

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.6L DOHC V8 engine
Engine air filter element FA-1615
Cabin Air filter element FP-5
Fuel filter FG-800A
Battery BXT-65-750
Oil filter FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-111
Spark plugs* AWSF-32E
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium
Motor OilAll 5.7L (6.0 quarts)
Engine
coolant
1Premium
Engine CoolantAll 15.0L
(15.8 quarts)
Brake fluid
2All Fill to line on
reservoir
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Fuel tank N/A All 75.7L
(20.0 gallons)
Automatic
transaxleMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FAll 13.0L
(13.7 quarts)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 3.4L (3.6 quarts)
Capacities and specifications
209

1Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
2Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
C6AZ-19542-AB ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Hinges, latches,
stricker plates,
fuel filler door
hinge and seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseDOAZ-19584-AA
or
F5AZ-19G209-AAESB-M1C93-B or
ESR-M1C159-A
Lock cylinders Penetrating and
Lock LubricantE8AZ-19A501-B none
Automatic
transaxle
(AX4N)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM
MERCONtV
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor
OilXO-5W30-QSP WSS-M2C153-G
and API
Certification
Mark
Constant
velocity jointsCV Joint Grease
(High Temp.)E43Z-19590-A ESP-M1C207-A
Engine coolant Ford Premium
Engine CoolantE2FZ-19549-AA
(in Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-8-B)ESE-M97B44-A
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Capacities and specifications
210

ItemFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. DOT 3 fluid
is recommended. However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be
used.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 4.6L DOHC V8 engine
Cubic inches 281
Recommended fuel 91 octane
Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm (0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.8:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions mm (in)
(1) Overall length 5 294.7 (208.4)
(2) Overall width 1 870.3 (73.6)
(3) Overall height 1 421.9 (55.9)
(4) Wheelbase 2 769.8 (109.0)
(5) Track - Front 1 600.2 (63.0)
(5) Track - Rear 1 562.1 (61.5)
Capacities and specifications
211

set zone adjustment ............70,72
Console ........................................78
overhead ....................................54
Controls
power seat .................................92
steering column ........................48
Coolant
checking and adding ..............169
refill capacities .................173,209
specifications ...................210,211
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................49
Customer Assistance ................141
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................221
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................214
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............220
Getting roadside assistance ...141
Getting the
service you need ....................214
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................224
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................217
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............220
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................22
Defrost
rear window ..............................29
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................174
engine oil .................................165
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........210
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................135Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................156
Emission control system ..........195
Engine ........................................211
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................8
cleaning ...................................206
coolant .....................................169
idle speed control ...................177
lubrication
specifications ...................210,211
refill capacities ........................209
service points ..........................164
starting after a collision .........142
Engine block heater .................122
Engine oil ..................................165
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................165
checking and adding ..............165
dipstick ....................................165
filter, specifications .........167,209
recommendations ...................167
refill capacities ........................209
specifications ...................210,211
Exhaust fumes ..........................123
Floor mats ...................................79
Fluid capacities .........................209
Fuel ............................................187
calculating
fuel economy ................20,21,192
cap ...........................................189
capacity ...................................209
choosing the right fuel ...........190
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................195
detergent in fuel .....................191
filling your vehicle
with fuel ....................187,189,192
filter, specifications .........191,209
fuel filler door override ............78
fuel filler door release ..............78
fuel pump shut-off switch .....142
Index
227