2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL check transmission fluid

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

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
Maintenance and care
163

Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transaxle failure. An
overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in theCapacities and specifications
chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transaxle component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 mL (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause shift and/or engagement concerns
and/or possible damage.
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
Maintenance and care
164

instrument panel ....................198
interior .....................................199
mirrors .....................................196
plastic parts ............................196
safety belts ..............................199
washing ....................................195
waxing .....................................195
wheels ......................................196
windows ..................................199
wiper blades ............................197
woodtone trim ........................198
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............27
Clock ............................................33
Compass, electronic ....................61
calibration .................................62
set zone adjustment .................61
Console ..................................68±69
Controls
power seat .................................84
steering column ........................51
Coolant
checking and adding ..............157
refill capacities ................161, 200
specifications ..................201±202
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................51
Customer Assistance ................132
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................212
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................205
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............211
Getting roadside assistance ...132
Getting the
service you need ....................205
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................215The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................208
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............211
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................25
Defrost
rear window ..............................33
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................163
engine oil .................................153
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........201
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................126
E
Electronic message center .........14
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................144
Emission control system ..........184
Engine ........................................202
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........8
cleaning ...................................197
coolant .....................................157
idle speed control ...................165
lubrication
specifications ..................201±202
refill capacities ........................200
service points ..........................152
starting after a collision .........133
Engine block heater .................114
Index
219

heated ........................................86
memory seat .............................75
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...................79±81
Servicing your vehicle ..............150
Spark plugs, specifications ......200,
202
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................201±202
Speed control ..............................51
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle ........112, 114
jump starting ..........................144
Steering
speed sensitive .......................120
Steering wheel
controls ......................................51
tilting .........................................55
T
Tachometer .................................13
Tires ...........................140, 170±174
changing ..........................140±141
checking the pressure ............174
replacing ..................................175
rotating ....................................174
snow tires and chains ............175
tire grades ...............................173
treadwear ................................173
Towing .......................................128
recreational towing .................130
trailer towing ..........................128
wrecker ....................................149
Traction control ........................118
off light ......................................11Transaxle
automatic operation ...............121
fluid, refill capacities ..............200
lubricant specifications ..........202
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................163
lubricant specifications ..........201
Trunk ...........................................82
remote release ....................67, 73
Turn signal ............................10, 49
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................202
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................204
Vehicle loading ..........................126
Ventilating your vehicle ...........115
W
Warning chimes .....................11±12
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................157
Water, Driving through .............126
Windows
power .........................................65
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....157
checking and cleaning ............169
operation ...................................50
replacing wiper blades ...........170
Wrecker towing .........................149
Index
223