check oil FORD THUNDERBIRD 2004 11.G Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Introduction
9

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specification WSB-M8B16–A2.
Refer to Lubricant specifications
in this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle ’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 4.5 °C (40 °
F), use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure to use
washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in
impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident.
Note: Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
165

5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
•If the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks, the oil level is
acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL.
• If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise the
level within the MIN-MAX range.
• Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer to Checking the engine
oil in this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
166

3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
tightly until clicks are heard, or until it is snug.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Only use oils“Certified For Gasoline Engines ”by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). To protect your engine ’s warranty use
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford
specification WSS-M2C153 –H. SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel
economy and durability performance meeting all requirements for
your vehicle ’s engine .
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil according to the appropriate schedule listed in
the scheduled maintenance guide.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, start-up
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine application.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
167

•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36 °C (-34 °F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014 –R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “cold full ”of “cold fill range ”level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in the Adding engine coolant section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly. A
50 –50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
• Freeze protection down to -36 °C (-34 °F).
• Boiling protection up to 129 °C (265 °F).
• Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
• Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
170

•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
• Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
• Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
• Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
• Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
• Use recommended engine oil. Refer to Lubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
• Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8 –10 miles) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
182

5Approximate dry capacity, includes cooler and tubes. Fluid level should
be checked by a qualified service technician.
6Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C153 –H and the API Certification mark.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part nameFord part
number Ford
specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft High Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
PM-1 ESA-M6C25-A and DOT 3
Door
weatherstrips Silicone
LubricantXL-6 ESR-M13P4-A
Door latch,
hood latch,
auxiliary hood
latch, door
hinges, striker
plates, seat
tracks and fuel
filler door hinge Multi-Purpose
Grease
XL-4 or XL-5 ESB-M1C93-B
or
ESR-M1C159-A
Engine coolant Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (VC-7
–B
in Oregon) WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20
–LSP12
(Canada) WSS-M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
2004 Thunderbird
(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
203

waxing .....................................157
wheels ......................................158
wiper blades ............................159
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............22
Console ........................................60
Controls power seat .................................74
steering column ........................45
Convertible ..................................50 cleaning .............................54, 160
installation of the boot .............51
lowering the convertible top ...50
raising the convertible top ......52
Coolant checking and adding ..............170
refill capacities ................174, 201
specifications ..................203, 205
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................42
Customer Assistance ................125 Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................162
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................150
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................154
Getting roadside assistance ...125
Getting the service you
need .........................................148
Ordering additional owner ’s
literature .................................155
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................150
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................153 D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................27
Defrost
rear window ..............................25
Dipstick automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................186
engine oil .................................165
Doors lubricant specifications ..........203
Driving under special
conditions ..................................120 through water .........................121
E
Emergencies, roadside jump-starting ..........................141
Emergency Flashers .................126
Emission control system ..........183
Engine ........................................205 cleaning ...................................158
coolant .....................................170
fail-safe coolant ......................174
idle speed control ...................168
lubrication
specifications ..................203, 205
refill capacities ........................201
service points ..........................164
Engine block heater .................112
Engine oil ..................................165 checking and adding ..............165
dipstick ....................................165
filter, specifications ........167, 201
recommendations ...................167
refill capacities ........................201
specifications ..................203, 205
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
213

K
Keyless entry systemautolock .....................................68
Keys positions of the ignition .........109
L
Lamps autolamp system .......................27
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................31
daytime running light ...............27
headlamps .................................27
headlamps, flash to pass ..........28
instrument panel, dimming .....28
interior lamps .....................30 –31
replacing bulbs .......30, 32, 34 –37
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................30
Lights, warning and indicator ....10 anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........112
Load limits .................................121
Locks autolock .....................................68
doors ..........................................61
Lubricant specifications ...203, 205
Lumbar support, seats ...............74
M
Manual transmission fluid capacities ........................201
lubricant specifications ..........205
Master lighting switch ................27
Mirrors .........................................41 side view mirrors (power) .......41
Motorcraft parts ................179, 201 O
Octane rating ............................178
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................165
P
Parking brake ............................113
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....201
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................131, 134
Power door locks ........................61
Power point .................................39
Power steering ..................114
–115
fluid, checking and adding ....185
fluid, refill capacity ................201
fluid, specifications .........203, 205
Power Windows ...........................40
R
Radio ............................................16
Rear window defroster ...............25
Relays ........................................127
Remote entry system .................64 illuminated entry ......................67
locking/unlocking doors ...........61
opening the trunk .....................65
Roadside assistance ..................125
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............85
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........76 –80
Safety defects, reporting ..........156
Safety restraints ....................76 –80
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
215