traction control FORD THUNDERBIRD 2003 11.G Owners Manual

Brakes 105
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 106
Transmission operation 108
Trailer towing 115
Roadside Emergencies 116
Getting roadside assistance 116
Hazard flasher switch 117
Fuel pump shut-off switch 118
Fuses and relays 118
Changing tires 127
Jump starting 132
Wrecker towing 138
Customer Assistance 139
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 147
Cleaning 148
Maintenance and Specifications 154
Engine compartment 155
Engine oil 156
Battery 159
Fuel information 167
Air filter(s) 178
Part numbers 182
Refill capacities 183
Lubricant specifications 184
Accessories 189
Index 191
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Copyright © 2002 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
2

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Traction ControlAdvanceTrac
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
Introduction
6

Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Engine coolant temperature:
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Transmission PRNDL indicator:
Displays the gearshift positions. If
an“E”character is displayed or
flashing, this indicates a
transmission malfunction and may cause damage to your transmission.
Contact your dealer immediately.
Traction Control
active:
Illuminates when the Traction
Control
is active. If the light
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately, refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
Low fuel:Illuminates when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at, or near
empty (refer toFuel gaugein this
chapter).
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
Instrument Cluster
10

CELL PHONE USE
The use of Mobile Communications Equipment has become increasingly
important in the conduct of business and personal affairs. However,
drivers must not compromise their own or others’safety when using
such equipment. Mobile Communications can enhance personal safety
and security when appropriately used, particularly in emergency
situations. Safety must be paramount when using mobile communications
equipment to avoid negating these benefits.
Mobile Communication Equipment includes, but is not limited to cellular
phones, pagers, portable email devices, in vehicle communications
systems, telematics devices and portable two-way radios.
A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.
The most important thing you can do to prevent a crash is to
avoid distractions and pay attention to the road. Wait until it is safe to
operate Mobile Communications Equipment.
CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features. These
include:
•Utility compartment
•Cellular phone (if equipped)
•Cupholders
•Ash tray
POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
Position the driver floor mat so that
the eyelet is over the pointed end of
the retention post and rotate
forward to lock in. Make sure that
the mat does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator or the
brake pedal. To remove the floor
mat, reverse the installation
procedure.
Driver Controls
54

Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), pull
the parking brake handle up as far
as possible. The BRAKE warning
lamp will illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the
button (2), pull the handle up
slightly, then push the handle down.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
TRACTION CONTROL
Your vehicle is equipped with a Traction Control
system. This system
helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads
and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction in these conditions.
During Traction Control
operation, the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of sound coming from
!
BRAKE
P!
BRAKE
Driving
106

the engine compartment and the engine will not“rev-up”when you push
further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior and should be
no reason for concern.
The Traction Control
switch,
located on the left-hand side of the
instrument panel, has an indicator
light that illuminates when the
system is off. The Traction Control

system will automatically turn on
every time the ignition is turned off
and on.
If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Control
system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to“dig”the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking”maneuver.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control switch’s OFF indicator
will illuminate and your vehicle should be serviced.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control

event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do 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, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
OFF
TRAC
Driving
107

The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 5A Starter relay coil
2 5A Radio start signal
3 5A ABS module
4 5A Cluster, PCM relay coil, Inertia
switch, Transmission park switch
5 5A Traction control switch, Speed
control brake switch
6 10A OBD II
7 5A PCM, RKE, Theft indicator
8 5A Right-hand turn/park/side marker
9 15A Right-hand headlamp
SEE
OWNER'S MANUAL
RELAY 1
REPLACEMENT
FUSES
FUSE 8FUSE 9FUSE 10FUSE 11FUSE 12FUSE 13FUSE 14FUSE 15FUSE 16FUSE 17FUSE 18FUSE 19FUSE 20FUSE 21
FUSE 1FUSE 2FUSE 3FUSE 4FUSE 5FUSE 6FUSE 7
FUSE 22FUSE 23FUSE 24FUSE 25FUSE 26FUSE 27FUSE 28FUSE 29FUSE 30FUSE 31FUSE 32FUSE 33FUSE 34FUSE 35
Roadside Emergencies
120

5.Installanew air filter element. Be careful not to crimp the filter
element edges between the air filter housing and cover. This could cause
filter damage and allow unmetered air to enter the engine if not properly
seated.
6. Replace the air filter housing cover and secure the clamps.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Maintenance and Specifications
179

Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3 miles).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the tire
inflation placard located on the passenger side door.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
180

Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
Driving at very high speeds for extended periods of time may result in
damage to vehicle components.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide traction in
rain or snow.
The use of snow cables is not recommended for this vehicle, as damage
to your vehicle may occur under extreme handling or rough road
conditions. However, if you choose to operate the vehicle with snow
cables, avoid these conditions and follow the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Do not use any type of tire chains, as this will likely cause damage to
your vehicle.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.9L-4V V8 engine
Air filter element FA-1679
Fuel filter FG-1011
Battery BXT-66-650
Oil filter FL-218
PCV valve N/A
Spark plugs* AGSP-32F
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug information.
Maintenance and Specifications
182