Custom performance, high-tech peace of mind

Computers are wonderful things. In modern automobiles they "manage" the engine, continuously monitoring and adjusting fuel and air intake based on outside air pressure, manifiold pressure, temperature, exhaust content, the phase of the moon, state of the tide and maybe the driver's personal sign. The result is enhanced fuel economy, optimum peformance and cleaner air, even in the least expensive automobiles -- which these days still cost more than your first house.

Computers do even more. In luxury cars they give you instant analysis of the trip -- fuel economy, distance until you run out of gas, miles traveled, average speed, all sorts of stuff.

These days computers will even navigate for you or, as in the Lincoln Continental, provide a disaster aid service -- you can effect roadside assistance or even remote rescue thanks to computers, satellite "uplinks" and cellular telephone.

So I'm tooling along in this sophisticated Lincoln Continental with its RESCU telephone and wondrous dashboard trip computer telling me the fuel economy was now averaging 22.5 m.p.g. when...we interupt this message to bring you a special bulletin: tire pressure is low. A warning sign on the overhead console is also flashing "low tire pressure." But the car is not misbehaving, doesn't feel like it has a soft tire -- one must check this stuff out. I pull over.

The front left looks a tad lower than the front right -- it's hard to judge by eye with radials. Back tires look OK, except the left rear looks a bit low. All the tires feel cool; I decide it is safe to proceed to the Globe where there is an air pump. After the tires have had a couple hours to cool down, I will check pressure and adjust. (Always check tire pressure when tires are cold.) I clear the message and proceed; in a short while, the pressure alert returns to chide me. On to the Globe.

Sure enough, the left front turns out to be seven pounds low; the right front is three pounds low. Hey, that computer works pretty well. The right rear is OK; the left rear is... flat! Only it doesn't look flat. Soft, yes; flat, no. But there is absolutely zero pressure recorded on the tire pressure gauge!

If I had read up on the system thoroughly before driving the car, I would have known that when the message persisted, I should be aware that a tire is flat -- empty, nada air, zippo. The tires, Michelin MXV4-ZPs, are tires with reinforced sidewalls to ensure vertical stiffness and lateral handling. They are safe to run for 50 miles at 55 m.p.h. absolutely flat -- more or less, Ford says. I ran a bit farther.

The run-flat tires and the pressure sensing system, plus a remote garage-door opener, were introduced by Ford on the `96 Lincoln Continental as a $695 option.

On a $41,800-plus-$670-delivery-charge luxury automobile, that seems like a bargain price for peace of mind. But this test car had much more in the peace-of-mind department -- that rescue system caled RESCU, Ford's acronym for Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Unit. RESCU is a package that includes hands-free cellular telephone, software and the overhead console with the "get help" buttons -- with the run-flats and RESCU lumped together, it's a $1,995 security package.

The overhead contains two icon buttons, a tow truck for roadside assistance and an ambulance for medical help; a push of the button initiates a cellular call and data transmission. A global positioning satellite will locate the car precisely -- at least within 100 feet which most people consider pretty precise positioning from space. If a driver cannot speak, it doesn't matter; the call goes through and help is sent. All the details are managed from a central office in Dallas. Of course, with the run-flat tires, you may not need much roadside assistance.

There's more. The computer will offer you the kind of ride and handling you prefer. Select from a menu of hard-to soft suspension settings and variable power steering settings to tailor the Lincoln to your taste -- a good deal where there are multiple drivers with varying tastes. The same variability holds true for seat and mirror positions. You can add optional traction control, disc players upgraded sound system -- the option list is fairly short; all of the option possibilities together would add about $9,000 to the price tag.

The base Continental comes with a standard equipment list that is quite long and includes automatic air conditioning, antilock brakes, dual air bags and height adjustable front seat belts.

Power is supplied by a 4.6-liter 32-valve V-8 engine mated to a 4- speed electronically controlled overdrive transmission. Acceleration is very good, even with a flat tire, it seems. The handling is as good as anything in its class, better than most.

Front comfort is very good and the back offers decent accommodation for two adults. The glove box is small but door bins and seat pockets help. Two armrests between the front seats conceal the telephone, some minor storage and a coin holder.

While the basic controls are very well placed and easy to use, I have a problem with the gauge cluster.

With the ignition off, the cluster is black ala Lexus. Turn the key and it springs to life -- but why are the tach and speedometer needles red? In daylight, they disappear! At least they fade from the sight of the color-perception impaired. For 42 large, I shouldn't have to squint or bring along a seeing-eye dog.

Fuel mileage isn't bad; over a 543-mile tour, the Continental delivered 20.8 miles per gallon overall in varied driving -- some of it on a flat tire.

On balance, the Continental is a nifty car for those who can afford the tariff, offering custom-tailored performance, luxury appointments, comfort and, if you opt for it, unprecedented peace of mind.

Copyright 1996
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.