2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Engine coolant in maintenance and care chapter

Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
Odometer
The odometer is located in the message center. It registers the total
kilometers (miles) of the vehicle. Pressing the E/M control (if equipped)
will alternate between English (miles) and Metric (kilometers)
measurements.
Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer in the red zone may damage
the engine.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine
coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter.
80
MPH km/h0 2060
80
100
1200 204060100
120
140
160
180
200
40
ABS
RPMx1000AIR
BAG0 123456
7
NORM
CH
Instrumentation
13

Gear Display Data ERR Warning reappears after key is
turned from OFF to ON
Check/Tighten fuel cap
Brake Lamp Out
Check Traction Control
Check Ride Control
Trunk Ajar
Check Steering Assist
Low Washer Fluid
Air Leveling Disabled
Tail Lamp Out
Check FRT Turn Lamps
Turn on Headlamps
DOOR AJAR.Displayed when a side or back door is not completely
closed.
DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver's door is not
completely closed.
CHECK ENGINE TEMP.Displayed when the engine coolant is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Check the transmission fluid and level. Refer toTransmission
fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer for transmission service as
soon as possible.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
Instrumentation
18

electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed when you have approximately 80 km (50
miles) to empty.
LOW ENGINE COOLANT.Displayed when the engine coolant level is
low. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and
let it cool. Check the coolant and level. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE (if equipped).Displayed when the tire
pressure is low. Check the tire pressure. Refer toChecking the tire
pressurein theMaintenance and carechapter.
GEAR DISPLAY DATA ERR.Displayed when the data used to provide
the redundant gear selection display on the instrument cluster is missing
or invalid. In this case, the instrument cluster redundant gear selection
display is turned off. The driver should use the mechanical position
indication on the center console gear selector as temporary indication. If
this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as safely possible.
CHECK/TIGHTEN FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is
not properly installed. Proper fuel filler cap installation is checked
automatically as the vehicle is driven but not until after some fuel is used
(fuel gauge drops below full). Once the fuel filler cap is properly
secured, the ªCHECK/TIGHTEN FUEL CAPº message will turn off after a
short period of driving. Refer toFuel Filler Capin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
BRAKE LAMP OUT.Displayed when the brake lamps are activated and
at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as safely possible
and have the burned out lamp replaced. The center high-mount
brakelamp is not monitored.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL.Displayed when the Traction
Controlysystem is not operating properly. If this message is displayed
on the message centerandthe amber T/C OFF light in the Traction
Controlyon/off switch isnotilluminated, the Traction Controlysystem
will be partially operable. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer for
service as soon as possible. For further information, refer toTraction
controlyin theDrivingchapter.
CHECK RIDE CONTROL.Displayed when the air suspension system is
not operating properly. If this message is displayed while driving, pull off
the road as soon as safely possible. The message may also be displayed if
Instrumentation
19

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specification. Refer to
Lubricant specificationsin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling
system components.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36É C (-34É F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014±R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the ªcold fullº of ªcold fill rangeº level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding Engine Coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50±50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
Maintenance and care
157

²freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²enables calibrated gages to function properly.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
²The engine coolant should be at the ªcold fill levelº as listed on the
engine coolant reservoir.
²If the engine coolant reservoir becomes empty, the LOW ENGINE
COOLANT warning will illuminate in the message center.
²Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for service interval
schedules.
²Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If this occurs,
the LOW ENGINE COOLANT warning will illuminate and you will need
to add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
COLD FILL
LEVEL
Maintenance and care
158

Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36É C [±34É F]):
²it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
²it is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Maintenance and care
161

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 Name Application Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
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
MERCONtVATFAll 13.0L
(13.7 quarts)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear Windshield
Washer ConcentrateAll 3.4L
(3.6 quarts)
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.
Capacities and specifications
200

Item Information
Required 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
SAE 5W-20 Super Premium Motor
Oil, Ford specification
WSS-M2C153-H.
Automatic transaxle fluid capacity
113.0L (13.7 quarts). Use
Motorcraft MercontV ATF.
Tire size and pressure Refer to the Certification Label
inside of driver's door.
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.
Windshield washer fluid 3.4L (3.6 quarts). Use Ultra-Clear
Windshield Washer Concentrate.
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
guide to determine the correct service interval.
2Use 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.
Filling station information
224