transmission FORD THUNDERBIRD 2002 11.G Owners Manual

Seating and safety restraints 95
Seating 95
Safety restraints 99
Air bags 109
Child restraints 122
Driving 132
Starting 132
Brakes 136
Traction control 138
Transmission operation 140
Vehicle loading 146
Trailer towing 148
Recreational towing 152
Roadside emergencies 153
Hazard flasher switch 154
Fuses and relays 156
Changing tires 164
Jump starting 169
Wrecker towing 176
Customer assistance 177
The dispute settlement board 180
Utilizing the mediation/arbitration 183
Getting assistance outside the U.S. and Canada 183
Ordering additional owner's literature 184
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 186
Cleaning 187
Cleaning your vehicle 187
Underbody preservation 192
Table of contents
2

Brake system warning
Illuminates if the parking brake is
engaged. Also momentarily
illuminates at start up to ensure the
circuit is functional. If the brake
warning lamp does not illuminate at
these times, or illuminates after releasing the parking brake, seek service
immediately. Refer toBrakesin theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates at start up
to ensure the circuit is functional. If
the light does not illuminate,
remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced (refer to
Brakesin theDrivingchapter for more information). With the ABS light
on, the ABS is disabled and normal braking is still functional.
Transmission PRNDL indicator
Displays the gearshift positions. If
an ªEº character is displayed or
flashing, this indicates a
transmission malfunction, contact
your dealer immediately. Operating
the transmission with the ªEº character illuminated may cause additional
damage to the transmission.
Air bag readiness
Illuminates to confirm that the air
bags (front and side) are
operational. If the light fails to
illuminate, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrument cluster
12

MASTER LIGHTING SWITCH
Rotate the headlamp control to the
first position to turn on the parking
lamps. Rotate to the second position
to also turn on the headlamps.
Autolamp control
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the master lighting
switch.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for a preselected period of
time after the ignition switch is
turned to OFF.
²To turn autolamps on, rotate the
control counterclockwise. The preselected time lapse is adjustable up
to approximately three minutes by continuing to rotate the control
counterclockwise.
²To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise to OFF.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (Canada Only)
Turns the lowbeam headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate with automatic transmission:
²the ignition must be in the RUN position;
²the headlamp control is in the OFF position, Parking lamps position,
or Autolamp position when the autolamp function has not turned on
the headlamps (daytime); and
²the transmission is out of Park.
AUTO
AUTO
Lights
49

One touch down
²Press AUTO completely down to
the second detent. The driver's
window will open fully. Depress
up to stop window operation.
Accessory delay
With accessory delay, the window switches, radio, and the covertible top
motor, may be used for up to ten minutes after the ignition switch is
turned to the OFF position or until either front door is opened.
Short drop glass
In order to improve door efforts and sealing, your vehicle is equipped
with short drop glass. This feature lowers the glass when either door is
opened. The glass returns to its closed position when the door is closed
and the transmission is shifted out of P (Park). The short drop glass
feature will also operate when the convertible top switch is operated.
Proper operation of the short drop glass requires that the windows be
calibrated.Though your windows will have been calibrated before
your vehicle is delivered to you, calibration can be lost by an
unexpected loss of electrical power.If the windows lose their
calibration, your short drop feature will lower the windows, but it will
not raise them again when the doors are closed. To recalibrate your
windows, lower your windows until they complete their travel and hold
the switch down for 2 seconds. Immediately after releasing the switch,
press the switchup to raise the windows until they complete their travel
and hold the switch down for two seconds.
AUTO
Driver controls
64

Reasons given... Consider...
ªSeat belts don't
workºSafety belts,when used properly,reduce risk of
deathto front seat occupants by45% in cars,
and by60% in light trucks.
ªTraffic is lightºNearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in single-vehicle
crashes,many when no other vehicles are around.
ªBelts wrinkle my
clothesºPossibly, but a serious crash can do much more
than wrinkle your clothes, particularly if you are
unbelted.
ªThe people I'm
with don't wear
beltsºSet the example, teen deaths occur 4 times more
often in vehicles with TWO or MORE people.
Children and younger brothers/sisters imitate
behavior they see.
ªI have an air bagº Air bags offer greater protection when used with
safety belts. Frontal airbags are not designed to
inflate in rear and side crashes or rollovers.
ªI'd rather be
thrown clearºNot a good idea.Peoplewho areejected are 40
times more likely to DIE.Safety belts help
prevent ejection, WE CAN'T ªPICK OUR CRASHº.
Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to avoid the Belt
Minder chime. Sitting on the safety belt will increase the risk of
injury in an accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the Belt
Minder feature please follow the directions stated below.
One time disable
Any time the safety belt is buckled and then unbuckled during an ignition
ON cycle, Belt Minder will be disabled for that ignition cycle only.
Deactivating/activating the belt minder feature
Read steps1-9thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The Belt Minder feature can be deactivated/activated by performing the
following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
²The parking brake is set.
²The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission).
Seating and safety restraints
106

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. LOCK, locks the gearshift lever
and allows key removal.
2. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories without locking the
steering wheel.Also allows the
automatic transmission shift
lever to be moved from the P
(Park) position without the
brake pedal being depressed.
3. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.
4. RUN, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
2
3
4
5
1
Driving
132

STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
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.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²uneven vehicle loading
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn suspension components
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving at a constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system
checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the RUN position unless brake pedal is depressed.
Driving
140

If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the RUN position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral).This allows the automatic transmission shift lever to be
moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
depressed.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
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 few minutes or damage to
the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 5±speed automatic transmission
Your automatic transmission electronically controls the shift feel by using
an adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to increase
durability, and provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. It
is normal for a new transmission to shift firmly. This operation is
Driving
141

considered normal and will not affect function durability of the
transmission. Once the vehicle is at operating temperature it may take
several shifts at the same operating condition for the transmission to
properly adapt. Over time the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. The more varied the driving habits, speed and
torque, the longer it may take to adapt but the more complete the
process will be.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must learn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will fully update transmission operation to its optimum shift feel.
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward to the desired gear.
The gearshift positions are displayed on the floor console next to the
gearshift lever and on the instrument cluster.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
from P (Park) to another position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents
the rear wheels from turning.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift lever is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
Driving
142

Drive 5 (Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears One through Five.
Drive 4 (Drive)
Transmission operates in gears One
through Four. Drive 4 (Drive)
provides engine braking in 4th gear
and is useful when:
²driving with a heavy load.
²towing a trailer up or down steep
hills.
²additional engine downhill
braking is desired. If towing a
trailer, refer toDriving while
you towin theTrailer Towing
section of this chapter.
Upshifts into Overdrive can be made
by shifting to D5. Selecting 4
(Drive) at higher speeds causes the
transmission to shift to 4th gear. Selecting D4 from lower speeds will
cause the transmission to upshift at the proper speed.
Driving
144