maintenance FORD THUNDERBIRD 1996 10.G Owners Manual

3
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[IN01700( ALL)05/95]
TheQuick Indexat the end of the book
provides a page number following each item
which indicates where detailed information can
be found.
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[IN01900( ALL)04/95]
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book
and search in the alphabetical listing for the
word that best describes the information you
need. If the word you chose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We
have designed the Index so that you can find
information under a technical term.
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[IN02000( ALL)04/95]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
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[IN02100( ALL)04/95]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
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[IN02400( ALL)04/95]
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
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[IN02500( ALL)03/95]
TheMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet lists
the services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
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[IN02600( ALL)01/95]
About the Warranties
[IN02700( ALL)12/94]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of
warranties:Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended
Warrantieson certain parts, andEmissions
Warranties.
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[IN03100( ALL)03/95]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:37 1996

17 %
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[SR17500( ALL)05/95]
Safety Belt Extension Assembly
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[SR17600( ALL)05/95]
For some people, the safety belt may be too
short even when it is fully extended. You can
add about eight inches (20 cm) to the belt length
with a safety belt extension assembly (part
number 611C22). Safety belt extensions are
available at no cost from your dealer.
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[SR17700( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions will
affect the performance of the safety belts
and increase the risk of personal injury.
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[SR17705( ALL)05/95]
Use only extensions manufactured by the same
supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer
identification is located at the end of the
webbing on the label. Also, use the safety belt
extension only if the safety belt is too short for
you when fully extended. Do not use extension
to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the
torso.
[SR17710( ALL)05/95]Safety Belt Maintenance
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[SR17720(MBCG )05/95]
Check the safety belt systems periodically to
make sure that they work properly and are not
damaged.
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[SR17730( ALL)05/95]
All safety belt assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies
(slide bar) (if equipped), child safety seat tether
bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after any
collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision
was minor and a qualified technician finds that
the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use
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24 [SR21130( ALL)10/94]
half page art:0011064-AInflated right front passenger side air bag
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[SR22200( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG
WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND
MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If
the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired
area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
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[SR22210( ALL)05/95]
The air bag system uses a readiness light and a
tone to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When
you turn the ignition to the ON position, this
light will illuminate for approximately six (6)
seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the
system is operating normally.NOTE:
Maintenance of the air bag system is not
required.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:31 1996

184 %
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Driving While You Tow
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[DR22650( ALL)01/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR22950(MBC )09/93]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, depress the
Transmission Control Switch (TCS). This will
also give the engine more power going up hills
and better engine braking going down hills.
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[DR23000( ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
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[DR23100( ALL)01/95]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
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[DR23200( ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996

204 %
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[HS00245( ALL)06/94]
How to use Roadside Assistance
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[HS00250( ALL)06/94]
Your Roadside Assistance identification card can
be found in the Owner Guide portfolio in your
glove compartment. Complete the card and place
it in your wallet for quick reference.
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[HS00255( ALL)04/95]
To receive roadside assistance in the United
States call 1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call
1-800-665-2006).
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[HS00260( ALL)04/95]
Should you need to arrange for roadside
assistance yourself, Ford Motor Company will
reimburse the reasonable cost. To obtain
information about reimbursement call
1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
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[HS00300( ALL)01/95]
If You Have a Service Problem
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[HS00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford Motor Company has authorized Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships that can service
your vehicle for you. This chapter tells you how
to get service or maintenance for your vehicle.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:47:39 1996

205 %
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[HS00500( ALL)03/95]
Service/Maintenance Concerns
(U.S. or Canada)
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[HS00600( ALL)04/95]
Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your
selling dealer who wants to ensure your
continued satisfaction. You may, however, take
your vehicle to any authorized Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer. In most cases, your
dealer will be able to resolve your concern.
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[HS00700( ALL)04/95]
If you are not satisfied with the service you
received from your dealership's service
department, talk to the service manager at the
dealership, or if you still are not satisfied, talk to
the owner or general manager of the dealership.
In most cases, you will have your concern
resolved at this level.
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[HS01000( ALL)03/95]
If you are away from home when your vehicle
needs to be serviced, or if you need more help
than the dealer gave you, contact the Ford
Customer Assistance Center to find an
authorized dealership that may be able to help.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:47:39 1996

210
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[HS04900( ALL)02/93]
one inch art:0060102-B
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What is the Review Process?
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[HS05200( ALL)04/95]
Your application will be reviewed and if it is
determined to be eligible, you will receive an
acknowledgment indicating the file number
assigned to your application and the local Board
address. At the same time, your dealer and Ford
Motor Company representative are asked to
submit statements.
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[HS05300( ALL)04/95]
To review your case properly, the Board needs
the following information:
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[HS05400( ALL)04/95]
q
legible copies of all documents and
maintenance or repair orders that relate to
the case
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[HS05500( ALL)04/95]
q
the year, make, model, and vehicle
identification number
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[HS05600( ALL)04/95]
q
the date you bought your vehicle
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[HS05700( ALL)04/95]
q
the date of repair and the mileage at the time
of repair
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[HS05800( ALL)04/95]
q
the current mileage
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[HS05900( ALL)04/95]
q
the name of the dealer who sold you the
vehicle or who serviced your vehicle
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[HS06000( ALL)04/95]
q
a brief description of your unresolved
complaint
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:47:39 1996

212
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Ford of Canada Customer
Assistance
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[HS08800( ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
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[HS08900( ALL)03/95]
If you live in Canada and have any questions or
concerns that the dealership cannot answer,
contact the Customer Assistance Centre.
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[HS09000( ALL)03/95]
one inch art:0060101-C
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[HS09100( ALL)03/95]
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP)
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[HS09200( ALL)03/95]
If a specific item of concern arises, where a
solution cannot be reached between a vehicle
owner, Ford of Canada, and/or one of its
dealers (that all parties can agree upon), the
owner may wish to use the services offered by
the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).
[HS09300( ALL)05/95]
CAMVAP uses the services of Provincial
Administrators to assist consumers in scheduling
and preparing for their arbitration hearings.
However, before you can proceed with
CAMVAP you must follow your manufacturer's
dispute resolution process as outlined under
ªService/Maintenance Concerns (U.S. or
Canada)º earlier in this chapter.
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223
Servicing Your Thunderbird
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Service Made Easy
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[SV00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[SV00550( ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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[SV00600( ALL)01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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[SV00700( ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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[SV00800( ALL)01/95]
q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
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[SV00900( ALL)05/94]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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[SV01000( ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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[SV01100( ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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[SV01250( ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

224vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed in
theOwner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for any
unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice
something unusual, see that your vehicle is
serviced promptly.
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[SV01275( ALL)03/95]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids,
and service parts conforming to Ford
specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is
your assurance that Ford-built quality stays in
your vehicle.
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[SV01400( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[SV01600( ALL)06/95]
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
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[SV01700( ALL)06/95]
Be especially careful when inspecting or
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
%*
[SV01800(MBC )10/95]
q
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fan may come on unexpectedly.
Always turn the engine off and let it cool.
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[SV01850(MBC )10/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996