check transmission fluid FORD THUNDERBIRD 2003 11.G Owners Manual

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
The 5R55S transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, fluid
should be added by a qualified technician.
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. Use only
MERCONV automatic transmission fluid. The type of fluid used is
indicated on the transmission fluid pan, extension housing and also in
theLubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage and void the warranty.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toMotorcraft Part Numbers.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
Maintenance and Specifications
177

1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
3Your vehicle’s rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and
is considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should
be changed any time the rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill 6
mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
4Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
5Approximate dry capacity, includes cooler and tubes. Fluid level should
be checked by a qualified service technician.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
PM-1 ESA-M6C25-A and
DOT 3
Door
weatherstripsSilicone
LubricantF5AZ-19553-AA ESR-M13P4-A
Door latch, hood
latch, auxiliary
hood latch, door
hinges, striker
plates, seat
tracks and fuel
filler door hingeMulti-Purpose
GreaseXL-4 or XL-5 ESB-M1C93-B or
ESR-M1C159-A
Maintenance and Specifications
184

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

waxing.....................................148
wheels ......................................149
wiper blades ............................150
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............19
Console ........................................54
Controls
power seat .................................68
steering column ........................42
Convertible ..................................43
cleaning .............................47, 151
installation of the boot .............44
lowering the convertible top ...43
raising the convertible top ......45
Coolant
checking and adding ..............161
refill capacities ................165, 183
specifications ..................184, 186
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................39
Customer Assistance ................116
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................153
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................141
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................145
Getting roadside assistance ...116
Getting the service you
need .........................................139
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................146
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................142
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................144D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................25
Defrost
rear window ..............................22
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................177
engine oil .................................156
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........184
Driving under special
conditions ..................................113
through water .........................113
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................132
Emission control system ..........174
Engine ........................................186
cleaning ...................................149
coolant .....................................161
fail-safe coolant ......................165
idle speed control ...................159
lubrication specifications ......184,
186
refill capacities ........................183
service points ..........................155
Engine block heater .................104
Engine oil ..................................156
checking and adding ..............156
dipstick ....................................156
filter, specifications ........158, 182
recommendations ...................158
refill capacities ........................183
specifications ..................184, 186
Exhaust fumes ..........................105
Index
192

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