2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL traction control

Wheel-speed sensors allow excess front wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlyportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the front
brakes in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque
reduction is realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection
systems. This process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast
acting. The front wheels ªsearchº for optimum traction several times a
second and adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice
covered roads.
During Traction Controlyoperation, TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE is
displayed on the message center. You may hear an electric motor type of
sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not
ªrev-upº when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
If you should become stuck in snow or on a very slippery road surface,
try switching the Traction Controlysystem off. This may allow excess
wheel spin to ªdigº the vehicle out or enable a successful ªrockingº
maneuver. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrumentationchapter.
If the Traction Controlysystem is cycled excessively, the brake portion
of the system will shut down to prevent the front brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Controlyfunction using only engine
torque reduction will still control wheels from over-spinning. When the
front brakes have cooled down, the system will again function normally.
Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will function
normally during the cool down period.
If a system fault is detected, CHECK TRACTION CONTROL is displayed
on the message center and your vehicle should be serviced.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance during:
²certain road conditions
²steering maneuvers
²braking
²accelerations
Driving
142

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
²Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Maintenance and Specifications
220

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Maintenance and Specifications
221

Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
223

Hood ..........................................192
I
Ignition ...............................133, 227
Infant seats (see Safety
seats) .........................................126
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................213
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................187
cluster ................................10, 188
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................41
J
Jack ............................................163
positioning ...............................163
storage .....................................163
Jump-starting your vehicle ......167
K
Keyless entry system .................94
autolock .....................................97
keypad .......................................94
programming entry code .........95
Keys .........................87, 97±98, 100
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition .........133
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................41
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................46
cargo lamps ...............................41
daytime running light ...............40headlamps .................................40
headlamps, flash to pass ..........41
instrument panel, dimming .....41
interior lamps .....................45, 47
replacing bulbs ....... 46±47, 49±52
Lane change indicator (see
Turn signal) .................................44
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 139
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................12
high beam .................................13
oil pressure ...............................12
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
traction control active ..............12
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................148
GAWR ......................................148
GVWR ......................................148
trailer towing ..........................148
Locks
autolock .....................................97
childproof ..................................87
doors ..........................................87
Lubricant specifications ...226±227
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................166
Lumbar support, seats .............105
M
Message center ...............76, 78, 84
air leveling disabled .................76
air ride switch off .....................76
check air ride system ...............76
check air suspension ................76
menu button .............................83
reset button ..............................84
Index
237

Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................226±227
Speed control ..............................63
Speedometer ...............................15
Starting your
vehicle ........................133±134, 136
jump starting ..........................167
Steering
speed sensitive .......................141
Steering wheel
controls ..........................54, 63, 67
tilting .........................................54
T
Tachometer .................................15
Tires ...........................163, 218±221
changing ..................................163
checking the pressure ............221
replacing ..................................222
rotating ....................................222
snow tires and chains ............223
tire grades ...............................221
treadwear ................................220
Towing .......................................150
recreational towing .................153
trailer towing ..........................150
wrecker ....................................172
Traction control ........................141
off light ......................................12
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............143
fluid, refill capacities ..............224
lubricant specifications ..........227Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................216
lubricant specifications ..........226
Trunk ...........................................88
remote release ....................88, 91
Turn signal ............................13, 44
V
Vehicle Communication
System .........................................72
Vehicle dimensions ...................227
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................229
Vehicle loading ..........................148
Ventilating your vehicle ...........137
W
Warning chimes .....................13±14
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................194
Water, Driving through .............148
Windows
power .........................................57
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....194
checking and cleaning ..............53
operation ...................................53
replacing wiper blades .............54
Wrecker towing .........................172
Index
239