warning FORD THUNDERBIRD 2005 11.G Owner's Manual

Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little further as soon as ABS braking
is done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
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.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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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
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
P!
BRAKE
OFF
TRAC
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Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving at a constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system
checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the RUN position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the RUN position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF.Apply the brake pedal and shift
to N (Neutral).
When the key is in the ignition and in the OFF position, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted
vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
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 as soon as possible.
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EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed in yourScheduled Maintenance Guide
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in theScheduled Maintenance
Guideare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
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.
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Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
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 yourCheck engine/Service engine
soonlight is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight 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.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................40
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................87, 95
and child safety seats ..............88
description ..........................87, 95
disposal ......................................97
driver air bag ......................89, 96
indicator light .....................90, 97
operation .............................89, 96
passenger air bag ...............89, 96
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................91
side air bag ................................95
Air cleaner filter ...............207–209
Air conditioning ..........................22
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................190
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................140
Anti-theft system ........................73
arming the system ....................73
disarming a triggered system ..73
Audio system (see Radio) .........16
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................144
fluid, adding ............................207
fluid, checking ........................207
fluid, refill capacities ..............210
fluid, specification ..................213
Auxiliary power point .................39
Axle
lubricant specifications ..212–213
refill capacities ........................210
B
Battery .......................................188acid, treating emergencies .....188
jumping a disabled battery ....160
maintenance-free ....................188
replacement, specifications ...209
servicing ..................................188
BeltMinder ...................................82
Brakes ........................................139
anti-lock ...................................140
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................140
fluid, checking and adding ....206
fluid, refill capacities ..............210
fluid, specifications .........212–213
lubricant specifications ..212–213
parking ....................................141
shift interlock ..........................143
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................31
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....210
Cell phone use ............................60
Certification Label ....................215
Changing a tire .........................114
Child safety restraints ................98
child safety belts ......................98
Child safety seats ......................100
attaching with tether straps ..104
in front seat ............................102
in rear seat ..............................102
LATCH .....................................107
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............177
instrument panel ....................179
interior .....................................180
interior trim ............................179
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J
Jack ............................................114
positioning ...............................114
storage .....................................114
Jump-starting your vehicle ......160
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................69
Keys
positions of the ignition .........136
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 ....... 31–32, 34–37
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................30
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........140
Load limits .................................130
Locks
autolock .....................................69
doors ..........................................62
Lubricant specifications ...212–213
Lug nuts ....................................120
Lumbar support, seats ...............75M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................210
lubricant specifications ..........213
Master lighting switch ................27
Mirrors .........................................41
side view mirrors (power) .......41
Motorcraft parts ................200, 209
O
Octane rating ............................199
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................185
P
Parking brake ............................141
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....209
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................155, 158
Power door locks ........................62
Power mirrors .............................41
Power point .................................39
Power steering ..................142–143
fluid, checking and adding ....206
fluid, refill capacity ................210
fluid, specifications .........212–213
Power Windows ...........................40
R
Radio ............................................16
Rear window defroster ...............25
Relays ........................................151
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Remote entry system .................65
illuminated entry ......................68
locking/unlocking doors ...........62
opening the trunk .....................66
Roadside assistance ..................149
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............86
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........77–81
Safety Canopy .............................95
Safety defects, reporting ..........175
Safety restraints ....................77–81
belt minder ...............................82
extension assembly ..................86
for adults .............................78–81
for children .........................97–98
safety belt maintenance ...........86
warning light and chime ..........82
Safety seats for children ..........100
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............77
Seats ............................................74
child safety seats ....................100
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................146
Servicing your vehicle ..............182
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................18
Spark plugs,
specifications .............209, 213–214
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................212–213
Speed control ..............................42
Starting your vehicle ........136–138
jump starting ..........................160Steering
speed sensitive .......................143
Steering wheel
controls ......................................45
tilting .........................................39
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................39
Tires ...........................109–110, 114
alignment ................................127
care ..........................................126
changing ..........................114, 116
checking the pressure ............112
inspecting and inflating .........111
label .........................................125
replacing ..................................114
rotating ....................................128
safety practices .......................127
sidewall information ...............120
snow tires and chains ............129
spare tire .........................114–115
terminology .............................110
tire grades ...............................110
treadwear ........................109, 126
Towing .......................................134
recreational towing .................135
trailer towing ..........................134
wrecker ....................................166
Traction control ........................141
Transmission .............................143
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....143
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................207
fluid, refill capacities ..............210
lubricant specifications ..212–213
Trunk ...........................................63
remote release ....................42, 66
Turn signal ..................................30
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V
Vehicle dimensions ...................214
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................216
Vehicle loading ..........................130
Ventilating your vehicle ...........139
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10Washer fluid ..............................185
Water, Driving through
.............148
Windows
power
.........................................40
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................38
checking and adding fluid
.....185
replacing wiper blades
.............38
Wrecker towing
.........................166
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