power steering FORD THUNDERBIRD 1996 10.G Owners Manual

172 [DR09793( BCGV)01/95]If the Traction Assist
TM
system is cycled
excessively, the system will shut down to
prevent the rear brakes from overheating.
During this shutdown period, the word OFF in
the traction assist switch will be illuminated
showing that the traction assist system is
inoperative. A cooling down period is required
to prevent damage to the rear brakes. This time
period varies and depends on brake usage
during the cooling down period. Anti-Lock
braking is not affected and will function
normally during the cool down period.
[DR09795( BCGV)05/95]
NOTE: Traction-Lok axles are not an available
option on vehicles equipped with
traction assist.
*
[DR09800( ALL)01/95]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[DR09900( ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
%*
[DR09950( ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[DR10000( ALL)01/95]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
[DR10200( BCGV)12/94]
Speed Sensitive Power Steering
(If equipped)
[DR10401( BC )06/94]
The steering system in 4.6L engine vehicles is
speed sensitive. This means that the steering
effort is light for parking and heavier for
highway driving. However, if you have to
swerve around an object or another vehicle, your
steering will have full power assist.
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173
%*
[DR10500( ALL)03/95]
Brakes
%*
[DR10600( ALL)01/95]
Applying the Brakes
[DR10650( ALL)05/95]
Braking non ABS models
[DR10800( B )03/95]
Your vehicle has standard power front disc
brakes and rear drum brakes, (anti-lock disc
brakes on all four wheels are optional). They
adjust automatically as the brake pads or linings
wear down.
*
[DR11100( ALL)04/95]
Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
[DR11300( ALL)03/95]
On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
[DR11310( ALL)05/95]
Braking with ABS brakes
[DR11400( ALL)03/95]
On vehicles with anti-lock brakes, the wheels
will not lock and slide when you press down
hard on the brake pedal. The anti-lock brakes
automatically start releasing and reapplying the
front brakes independently and the rear brakes
together whenever your wheels start to lock. Do
not ªpumpº the brake pedal on vehicles
equipped with anti-lock brakes. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulse.
This ªpulseº may be an unfamiliar feeling but it
is normal and indicates the ABS is working as
designed.
*
[DR11650( ALL)05/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996

261
%*
[SV34800( ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV34900( ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV35000( ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
[SV35050( BC )10/95]
3.8L SFI engine
*
[SV35100( ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV35200( ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[SV35300( ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[SV35400(MBC )03/94]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
*
[SV35500(MBC )07/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
*
[SV35600(MBC )03/95]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
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262 [SV35700(MBC )12/94]
half page art:0010485-CThe dipstick for power steering fluid
[SV35850( BC )05/95]
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford
Specification ESW-M2C33-F, such as Ford
Premium Power Steering Fluid, E6AZ-19582-AA
or is an equivalent Type F Automatic
Transmission Fluid with a Ford registration
number (an 8-digit number beginning with ª2Pº
printed on the fluid container).
*
[SV35900( ALL)01/95]
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[SV36100(MBC )02/95]
If you check the power steering fluid when it is
cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the FULL
COLD range on the dipstick. The reading will
only be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 50 to85ÊF (10 to 30ÊC).
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

263 [SV36155( BC )10/95]
4.6L SFI engine
[SV36170(MBC )03/95]
1. Check the fluid level when the system is
COLD (allow at least one half hour after
driving for the power steering fluid to cool).
[SV36171(MBC )10/95]
2. Locate the power steering reservoir mounted
to the front upper left-hand corner of the
engine.
[SV36178( BC )10/95]
3. Visually verify that the fluid level is above
the MIN line adjacent to the reservoir ªsight
window.º
[SV36182( BC )10/95]
4. If the power steering fluid is below the MIN
line, remove the cap and add fluid in small
amounts until the level is between the MIN
and MAX lines.
[SV36185( BC )10/95]
5. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
[SV36190( BC )10/95]
half page art:0011153-A
Fluid level for power steering
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

264 [SV36200( BC )06/95]Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford's
Specification ESW-M2C33-F, such as Ford
Premium Power Steering Fluid, E6AZ-19582-AA
or an equivalent Type F Automatic Transmission
Fluid with a Ford registration number (an 8-digit
number beginning with ª2Pº printed on the
fluid container).
*
[SV36250(MBC )03/95]
NOTE: If the power steering fluid is low, do
not drive your vehicle for a long
period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering
pump.
% [SV36300(MBC )12/94]Fuses, High Current Fuses and
Circuit Breakers
*
[SV36400( ALL)03/95]
Fuses (conventional and high current) and circuit
breakers protect your vehicle's wiring system
from overloading. If electrical parts in your
vehicle are not working, the system may have
been overloaded and blown a fuse or tripped a
circuit breaker. Before you replace or repair any
electrical parts, check the appropriate fuses
(conventional and high current) or circuit
breakers.
*
[SV36600( ALL)03/95]
The following charts tell you which fuses or
circuit breakers protect the wiring for each
electrical part of your vehicle. If a fuse blows or
a circuit breaker opens a circuit,allthe parts of
your vehicle that use that circuit will not work.
*
[SV36610( ALL)01/95]
Once you have determined which fuses or circuit
breakers to check, follow the procedures under
Checking and replacing fusesorChecking and
replacing circuit breakersin this chapter.
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318 Index
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration............ 211
O
Odometer
description............... 67
trip odometer.............. 68
Oil filter................ 286
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 236
Oil viscosity.............. 237
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 282
Overdrive................ 168
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system . 112
Parking brake
operation............... 174
warning light.............. 57
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)........ 286
PCV valve, specifications......... 286
Phone, cellular.............. 90
Power distribution box (see Fuses).... 264
Power door locks............ 101
Power features
door locks.............. 102
mirrors................ 124
moon roof.............. 115
seats................. 121
windows............... 114
Power steering
dipstick............... 261
driving with power steering...... 172
fluid, checking and adding....... 260
fluid, refill capacity.......... 285
fluid, specifications.......... 287
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Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

Index 321
Starting your vehicle (continued)
starting a cold engine.......... 48
starting after a collision......... 53
starting a warm engine......... 48
Steering, power............. 172
Steering wheel
horn.................. 95
locking................ 45
speed controls............. 97
tilting................. 96
Storage compartments
center console............ 127
map pockets............. 128
Storing your vehicle........... 288
Sun visor................ 126
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 60
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).... 18
T
Tachometer................ 68
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 279
cleaning................ 84
Temperature control (see Climate control) . . 74
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints).......... 27
Tilt steering wheel............ 96
Tires
changing............... 191
checking the pressure......... 251
cleaning............... 256
replacing............... 252
rotating............... 251
snow tires and chains......... 255
storing your vehicle.......... 290
tire grades.............. 253
treadwear.............. 254
wear bands............. 252
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 180
Towing your vehicle, with a tow truck . . 201
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996