warning FORD THUNDERBIRD 2003 11.G Owner's Manual

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key 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 transmission is equipped with an adaptive learning strategy found in
the vehicle computer. This feature is designed to increase durability, and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. Additionally, whenever the battery is
disconnected or a new battery installed, the strategy must be relearned.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
PRND5D4321
Driving
109

If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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.
Illumination of the“Check Engine”light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your“Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon”light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Maintenance and Specifications
175

A
Accessorydelay..........................37
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................80, 88
and child safety seats ..............81
description ..........................80, 88
disposal ......................................91
driver air bag ......................82, 89
indicator light .....................83, 90
operation .............................82, 89
passenger air bag ...............82, 89
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................84
side air bag ................................88
Air cleaner filter .......177–178, 182
Air conditioning ..........................19
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................161
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................105–106
Anti-theft system ........................65
arming the system ....................65
disarming a triggered system ..65
Audio system (see Radio) .........14
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................109
fluid, adding ............................177
fluid, checking ........................177
fluid, refill capacities ..............183
fluid, specification ..................186
Auxiliary power point .................36
Axle
lubricant specifications ..184, 186
refill capacities ........................183
B
Battery .......................................159acid, treating emergencies .....159
jumping a disabled battery ....132
maintenance-free ....................159
replacement, specifications ...182
servicing ..................................159
BeltMinder ...................................75
Brakes ........................................105
anti-lock ...........................105–106
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................105
fluid, checking and adding ....176
fluid, refill capacities ..............183
fluid, specifications .........184, 186
lubricant specifications ..184, 186
parking ....................................106
shift interlock ..........................108
Bulbs ............................................28
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....183
Cassette tape player ...................14
Cell phone use ............................54
Certification Label ....................187
Changing a tire .........................127
Child safety restraints ................91
child safety belts ......................91
Child safety seats ........................94
attaching with tether straps ....98
in front seat ..............................95
in rear seat ................................95
LATCH .....................................100
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............149
instrument panel ....................151
interior .............................151–152
interior trim ............................151
plastic parts ............................150
washing ....................................148
Index
191

K
Keylessentrysystem
autolock.....................................61
Keys
positions of the ignition .........102
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................24
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................28
cargo lamps ...............................26
daytime running light ...............25
headlamps .................................24
headlamps, flash to pass ..........25
instrument panel, dimming .....26
interior lamps .....................27, 29
replacing bulbs ....... 28–29, 31–34
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................27
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........105
Load limits .................................114
GAWR ......................................114
GVWR ......................................114
trailer towing ..........................114
Locks
autolock .....................................61
doors ..........................................55
Lubricant specifications ...184, 186
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................131
Lumbar support, seats ...............67
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................183
lubricant specifications ..........186Master lighting switch ................24
Mirrors .........................................38
side view mirrors (power) .......38
Motorcraft parts ................171, 182
O
Octane rating ............................170
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................156
P
Parking brake ............................106
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....182
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................122, 125
Power door locks ........................55
Power point .................................36
Power steering ..................107–108
fluid, checking and adding ....176
fluid, refill capacity ................183
fluid, specifications .........184, 186
Power Windows ...........................37
R
Radio ............................................14
Rear window defroster ...............22
Relays ........................................118
Remote entry system .................58
illuminated entry ......................60
locking/unlocking doors ...........55
opening the trunk .....................58
Roadside assistance ..................116
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............79
Index
194

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

W
Warninglights(seeLights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................156
Water, Driving through .............113
Windows
power .........................................37Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................35
checking and adding fluid
.....156
replacing wiper blades
.............35
Wrecker towing
.........................138
Index
196