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1999 Lincoln Continental

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Continental.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Lincoln Continental is paired with an automatic 4-speed transmission and produces an EPA-rated 15/23/18 mpg, requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. This model year recorded three recalls and 43 total owner complaints, with the suspension identified as the top complaint area. Within the 1990-2020 model history, these figures mark a substantial improvement over the 427 complaints reported in 1993, though they remain higher than the low of seven complaints seen in 2020.

Model year2020 2019 2018 2017 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-105 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 750 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 750 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-60HR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	208.7 in
Overall width	73.6 in
Overall height	55.9 in
Wheelbase	109.1 in
Curb weight	3869 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 23 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	102 cu ft
Cargo volume	19 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Continental of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.5–8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 1998 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	Sedan 4.6L V8	7.50 sec	15.60 sec	260 hp	FWD
1995	Sedan 4.6L V8	7.50 sec	15.70 sec	260 hp	FWD
1995	Sedan 4.6L V8	7.70 sec	15.90 sec	260 hp	FWD
1995	Sedan 4.6L V8	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	260 hp	FWD
1995	Sedan 4.6L V8	8.20 sec	16.00 sec	260 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	114-121 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	727.5 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	32.5 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	2 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.10-2.40 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	YN-12-D
Oil Capacity	7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	45.0-60.0
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	65-87 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	85-105 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in / 0.00035 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in / 0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.55 in / 1.024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.55 in / 1.024 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.502 in / 0.974 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified oil

1	28.0-31.0 ft. lbs.	28–31 ft. lbs
2	85-95 degrees	85–95 degrees
3	Loosen all bolts completely.
4	28.0-31.0 ft. lbs.	28–31 ft. lbs
5	85-95 degrees	85–95 degrees
6	85-95 degrees	85–95 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Transmission Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1999 Lincoln Continental sits near the low point of a clear complaint decline across this generation: complaints dropped from 252–427 in the early 1990s to just 43 in 1999, the lowest level recorded before the slight rise to 68 in 2000. Recalls remained modest at 3 for 1999, comparable to the surrounding years, while TSBs held steady at 105. Compared to the peak problem years of 1993–1994, the 1999 model shows dramatically fewer complaints and investigations (2, down from 6–8). The top complaint areas—Suspension (11) and Air Bags (9)—suggest aging-related concerns rather than new defects. This positions 1999 as one of the more refined and reliable years in this generation's lifecycle.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

105

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98’99’00 ’01 ’02 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 43 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension11

Air Bags9

Engine & Engine Cooling4

Vehicle Speed Control4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Power Train2

Exterior Lighting2

Unknown Or Other2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16E026000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:PadsReported 01/04/2016

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598… Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at…

03V144000Air Bags:FrontalReported 09/04/2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF UNDERBODY IMPACTS NEAR THE SENSORS, SUCH AS THOSE OCCURRING FROM PIECES OF GRAVEL OR DEBRIS THROWN FROM THE WHEELS… Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 105 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
041601	2005-11-14	Engine And Engine Cooling	WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR…
04189	2004-12-13	Visibility	REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR…
042107	2004-12-13	Power Train	GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
04217	2004-11-01	Power Train	GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
031404	2004-08-23	Engine And Engine Cooling	ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Continental. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 Continental take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Continental have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Continental get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.