Bentley Continental 1997 User Manual

General Information

1

2

Table of Contents

General Maintenance Information . . 4
What Maintenance Schedule Do You

Follow? .............. 7

Normal Schedule .......... 8

Severe Duty Schedule ........ 17

Owner Maintenance Checks ..... 30

3

Maintenance Schedule and Record

General Maintenance Information

The required Scheduled Maintenance Services listed
in this booklet are considered essential to the proper
operation, safety and performance of your Ford
Motor Company vehicle. We recommend that you
also perform the Owner Maintenance Checks listed.
These services are matters of day-to-day care that
are also important to the proper operation of your
vehicle. The recommended lubricants, fluids and
service parts conforming to Ford Specifications are
available from your dealer.

This booklet gives you a place to record the services
that are performed on your vehicle so that you can
keep a record of when parts should be checked or
replaced. Give your Maintenance Schedule booklet
to the dealer service manager.

4

Maintenance: An investment

An investment which will pay dividends in the
form of improved reliability, durability, and
resale value.

To assure the durability of your vehicle and its
emission control systems, it is necessary that
scheduled maintenance be performed at the
designated intervals.

Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford
replacement parts. If other than Ford or Motorcraft
parts or Ford authorized remanufactured parts are
used for maintenance replacements or for the
service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability. It is the owner’s responsibility to
determine the equivalency of such parts. Please
consult your warranty booklet for complete
warranty information.

5

PRE-DELIVERY CHECK

Pre-Delivery Service Inspection Completed

❑

6

What Maintenance Schedule Do You Follow?

Normal

Schedule

Follow the Normal Schedule for most normal
everyday driving conditions.

Severe Duty

Schedule

Follow the Severe Duty Schedule if your driving
habits FREQUENTLY include one or more of the
following conditions:

Towing a trailer.

❑

Operating in severe dust conditions.

❑

Extensive idling.

❑

Police, taxi or door-to-door delivery service.

❑

7

Normal Schedule

NOTE: Items for Emission Control Service are
shown in this type and style.

For items marked with a number in parentheses
such as (1), see footnote at the end of this section.

Regular

Maintenance

Intervals

for the Normal

Schedule

8

5,000 MILES (8,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

10,000 MILES (16,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

15,000 MILES (24,000 Kilometers)

20,000 MILES (32,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

25,000 MILES (40,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

9

30,000 MILES (48,000 Kilometers)

35,000 MILES (56,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

❑

Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).

❑

Inspect disc brake pads and rotors. (1)

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

10

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

40,000 MILES (64,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

45,000 MILES (72,000 Kilometers)

50,000 MILES (80,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change engine coolant initially at 50,000 miles

❑

(80,000 km) or 48 months. Thereafter, change
engine coolant every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
or 36 months.

55,000 MILES (88,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

11

60,000 MILES (96,000 Kilometers)

65,000 MILES (104,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

❑

Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).

❑

Inspect disc brake pads and rotors. (1)

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

12

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

70,000 MILES (112,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

75,000 MILES (120,000 Kilometers)

80,000 MILES (128,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change engine coolant every 30,000 miles

❑

(48,000 km) or 36 months.

85,000 MILES (136,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

13

90,000 MILES (144,000 Kilometers)

95,000 MILES (152,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

❑

Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).

❑

Inspect disc brake pads and rotors. (1)

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

14

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

100,000 MILES (160,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace PCV valve.

❑

Replace spark plugs.

❑

Inspect accessory drive belt(s).

❑

105,000 MILES (168,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

110,000 MILES (176,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change engine coolant every 30,000 miles

❑

(48,000 km) or 36 months.

115,000 MILES (184,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

15

120,000 MILES (192,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect accessory drive belt(s).

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).

❑

Inspect disc brake pads and rotors. (1)

❑

16

(1) If your driving habits include continuous stop-and-go

driving or driving in hilly areas, more frequent

intervals may be required.

Severe Duty Schedule

NOTE: Items for Emission Control Service are
shown in this type and style.

For items marked with a number in parentheses
such as (1), see footnote at the end of this section.

Maintenance

Intervals

for Severe

Duty Schedule

3,000 MILES (5,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

6,000 MILES (10,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

17

9,000 MILES (15,000 Kilometers)

15,000 MILES (25,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

12,000 MILES (20,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

18

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 12 months.

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

18,000 MILES (30,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

21,000 MILES (35,000 Kilometers)

27,000 MILES (45,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

24,000 MILES (40,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

19

30,000 MILES (50,000 Kilometers)

33,000 MILES (55,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 12 months.

Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).

❑

Inspect disc brake pads and rotors. (1)

❑

20

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

36,000 MILES (60,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

39,000 MILES (65,000 Kilometers)

45,000 MILES (75,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

42,000 MILES (70,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 12 months.

21

48,000 MILES (80,000 Kilometers)

51,000 MILES (85,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change engine coolant initially at 48,000 miles

❑

(80,000 km) or 48 months. Thereafter, change
engine coolant every 30,000 miles (50,000 km)
or 36 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

22

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

54,000 MILES (90,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

57,000 MILES (95,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

60,000 MILES (100,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace spark plugs.

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

Inspect disc brake pads and rotors. (1)

❑

Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).

❑

63,000 MILES (105,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

23

66,000 MILES (110,000 Kilometers)

72,000 MILES (120,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

69,000 MILES (115,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

24

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

75,000 MILES (125,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 12 months.

78,000 MILES (130,000 Kilometers)

84,000 MILES (140,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change engine coolant every 30,000 miles

❑

(50,000 km) or 36 months.

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

81,000 MILES (135,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

87,000 MILES (145,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

25

90,000 MILES (150,000 Kilometers)

93,000 MILES (155,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect accessory drive belt(s).

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace PCV valve.

❑

Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).

❑

Inspect disc brake pads and rotors. (1)

❑

26

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

96,000 MILES (160,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

99,000 MILES (165,000 Kilometers)

105,000 MILES (175,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

102,000 MILES (170,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 12 months.

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑

27

108,000 MILES (180,000 Kilometers)

114,000 MILES (190,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Change engine coolant every 30,000 miles

❑

(50,000 km) or 36 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (3)

❑

111,000 MILES (185,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

28

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.

❑

117,000 MILES (195,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

120,000 MILES (200,000 Kilometers)

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑

Replace spark plugs.

❑

Inspect accessory drive belt(s).

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.

❑

Replace PCV valve.

❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and

❑

clamps; and check coolant strength every
15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 12 months.

Replace passenger compartment air filter. (2)

❑

Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).

❑

Inspect disc brake pads and rotors. (1)

❑

(1) If your driving habits include continuous stop-and-go

driving, trailer towing or driving in hilly areas, more

frequent intervals may be required.

(2) If operating in severe dust or high humidity, more

frequent intervals may be required. Consult your

dealer.

29

Owner Maintenance Checks

Check the windshield washer fluid level.

The following lists are vehicle checks and
inspections that should be performed by the owner
or qualified service technician at the frequencies
indicated to help ensure safe, dependable operation
of your vehicle.

Any adverse conditions should be brought to the
attention of your dealer or qualified service
technician for service advice as soon as possible.

These Owner Maintenance Checks are generally not
covered by warranties and you may be charged for
labor, parts and lubricants used.

When You Stop for Fuel:

Check the engine oil level.

❑

Check coolant level in the coolant recovery

❑

reservoir.

30

❑

Look for low or under-inflated tires.

❑

Note any changes in the sound of the exhaust

❑

or any smell of exhaust fumes in the vehicle.
Check for vibrations in the steering wheel.

❑

Notice any increased steering effort or looseness
in the steering wheel.

Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly

❑

or “pulls” to one side of the road.
When stopping, listen and check for strange

❑

sounds, pulling to one side, increased brake
pedal travel or “hard to push” brake pedal.

While Operating Your Vehicle:

If any slipping or changes in the operation of

❑

your transaxle occur, check the transaxle fluid
level.

Check automatic transaxle P (PARK) function.

❑

Check parking brake.

❑

Check for fluid leaks under your vehicle (water

❑

dripping from the air conditioning system after
use is normal).

At least monthly:

Check the tire pressure — check tires when

❑

cold, not after a long drive.
Check coolant level in the coolant recovery

❑

reservoir.
Check the operation of all exterior lamps,

❑

including the brakelamps, turn signals and
hazard warning flashers.

At least twice a year:

(i.e., every Spring and Fall)

Check radiator, heater and air-conditioning

❑

hoses for leaks or damage.
Check the power steering fluid level.

❑

Check windshield washer spray and wiper

❑

operation. Clean wiper blades with clean cloth
dampened with washer fluid.

Check for worn tires and loose wheel lug nuts.

❑

Check headlamp alignment.

❑

Check the lap-shoulder belts for wear and

❑

function.
Check air pressure in spare tire.

❑

Inspect halfshaft dust boots.

❑

31

At least once a year:

Check engine cooling system, hoses and clamps

❑

and check coolant strength.
Lubricate all hinges, checks, latches and all

❑

outside key locks.
Lubricate door rubber weatherstrips.

❑

Clean the body water drain holes.

❑

Check the air conditioning system before the

❑

warm weather season.

32

Check the brake fluid level.

❑

Clean the battery connections.

❑

Lubricate the transaxle controls and linkage.

❑

If any of these conditions are noted, bring
them to the attention of your dealer or
qualified service technician as soon as
possible.