2002 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 specificationschapter. 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 specificationschapter. 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.
Driver Controls
80

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 Specifications
216

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 this 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 Specifications
217

plastic parts ....................186±187
safety belts ..............................189
washing ....................................184
waxing .....................................184
wheels ......................................185
windows ..................................189
wiper blades ............................187
Clock ............................................55
Compass, electronic ....................60
calibration .................................62
set zone adjustment .................61
Console ........................................56
Controls
power seat ...............................103
steering column ........................67
Coolant
checking and adding ..............199
refill capacities ................203, 224
specifications ..................226±227
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................63
Customer Assistance ................154
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................190
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................176
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................180
Getting roadside assistance ...154
Getting the service you
need .........................................174
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................181
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................177
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................180D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................40
Defrost
rear window ..............................39
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................216
engine oil .................................194
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........226
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................148
E
Electronic message center .........76
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................167
Emission control system ..........212
Engine ........................................227
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................186
coolant .....................................199
idle speed control ...................197
lubrication
specifications ..................226±227
refill capacities ........................224
service points ..........................193
starting after a collision .........155
Engine block heater .................136
Engine oil ..................................194
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................194
checking and adding ..............194
Index
235

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