octane FORD THUNDERBIRD 2003 11.G Owners Manual

Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Premium”unleaded gasoline with
an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or
higher for optimum performance.
The use of gasolines with lower
octane ratings may degrade performance. We do not recommend the use
of gasolines labeled as“Premium”in high altitude areas that are sold
with octane ratings of less than 91.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of“Premium”
unleaded gasoline. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers
issued the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control
system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto
Makers’Choice
logo.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated“cleaner-burning”gasolines to
improve air quality.
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
170

vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium—high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style—good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Maintenance and Specifications
172

ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.9L-4V V8 engine
Displacement 3 949 cc (241 cid)
Required fuel 91 octane
Firing order 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Spark plug gap 0.99-1.09 mm (0.039-0.043 inch)
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 10.75:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions mm (in)
(1) Overall length 4732mm (186.3 in)
(2) Overall width 1829mm (72.0 in)
(3) Overall height 1323 mm (52.1 in)
(4) Wheelbase 2722 mm (107.2 in)
(5) Track - Front 1537 mm (60.5 in)
(5) Track - Rear 1529 mm (60.2 in)
4
1
Maintenance and Specifications
186

F
Fail safe cooling ........................165
Floor mats ...................................54
Fluid capacities .........................183
Fuel ............................................167
calculating fuel economy .......171
cap ...........................................169
capacity ...................................183
choosing the right fuel ...........169
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................174
detergent in fuel .....................170
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................167, 169, 171
filter, specifications ........171, 182
improving fuel economy ........171
octane rating ...................170, 186
quality ......................................170
running out of fuel .................171
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................167
Fuses ..................................118–119
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............169
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................171
Gauges .........................................12
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................114
definition .................................114
driving with a heavy load ......114
location ....................................114
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................114
calculating ...............................114
definition .................................114
driving with a heavy load ......114location ....................................114
H
Head restraints ...........................66
Headlamps ...................................24
aiming ........................................26
autolamp system
.......................24
bulb specifications
....................28
daytime running lights
.............25
flash to pass
..............................25
replacing bulbs
.........................29
turning on and off
....................24
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system
.......................................19
Hood
..........................................155
I
Ignition
...............................102, 186
Infant seats (see Safety seats)
..94
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
........................................175
Instrument panel
cleaning
...................................151
cluster
..........................................8
lighting up panel and
interior
.......................................26
J
Jack
............................................127
positioning
...............................127
storage
.....................................127
Jump-starting your vehicle
......132
Index
193

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