tire pressure FORD THUNDERBIRD 2003 11.G Owners Manual

•If shifter (-) is tapped more than once in rapid succession, the
transmission will downshift only into the next lower gear, then when
the vehicle reaches a speed below a calibrated entry speed, the
transmission will allow a downshift into the next lower gear if again
selected by the driver. This is to prevent engine and transmission
damage and to keep the engine and transmission within allowable
RPM ranges.
•An electronic indicator on the instrument cluster will display the
selected gear.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following chart:
Recommended upshift schedule
Shift from:
1 - 2 24 km/h (15 mph)
2 - 3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3 - 4 64 km/h (40 mph)
4 - 5 72 km/h (45 mph)
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal transmission
damage.
Driving
113

•Removeparticles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout before repairing paint chips.
•Always read the instructions before using the products.
ALUMINUM WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS
Aluminum wheels and wheel covers are coated with a clearcoat paint
finish. In order to maintain their shine:
•Clean weekly with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A),
which is available from your dealer. Heavy dirt and brake dust
accumulation may require agitation with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly
with a strong stream of water.
•Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
•Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers. Chemical-strength cleaners, or cleaning
chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust
and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat finish over time.
•Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
•To remove tar and grease, use Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil
Removal (B7A-19520–AA), available from your dealer.
ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
•Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The
high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause
damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
•Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser (ZC-20) on all parts
that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean.
Cleaning
149

BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which is located in the luggage
compartment, next to the spare tire.
Your battery is designed to purge any battery gases to the outside of the
vehicle by means of a vent hose. This vent hose MUST be attached at all
times. Replacement batteries must be of the same vented design.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
Your battery normally does not require additional water during its life of
service. For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery
clean and dry. Make certain that the vent hose is attached. Also, make
certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to the battery
terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Maintenance and Specifications
159

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.
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
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•
Check 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).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the tire
inflation placard located on the passenger side door.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
180

Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........70–73
Safety defects, reporting ..........147
Safety restraints ....................70–74
belt minder ...............................75
extension assembly ..................79
for adults .............................71–73
for children ...............................91
safety belt maintenance ...........79
warning light and chime ....74–75
Safety seats for children ............94
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............70
Seats ............................................66
child safety seats ......................94
cleaning ...................................151
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................111
Servicing your vehicle ..............154
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ....................................127
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................182, 186
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................184, 186
Speed control ..............................39
Starting your vehicle ........102–104
jump starting ..........................132
Steering
speed sensitive .......................108
Steering wheel
controls ......................................42
tilting .........................................36T
Tires ...........................127, 179–180
changing ..........................127–128
checking the pressure ............180
replacing ..................................181
rotating ....................................181
snow tires and chains ............182
tire grades ...............................180
treadwear ................................179
Towing .......................................115
recreational towing .................115
trailer towing ..........................115
wrecker ....................................138
Traction control ........................106
Transmission .............................108
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................177
fluid, refill capacities ..............183
lubricant specifications ..184, 186
Trunk ...........................................56
remote release ....................39, 58
Turn signal ..................................27
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................186
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................188
Vehicle loading ..........................114
Ventilating your vehicle ...........105
Index
195