1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD instrument panel

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[PI00425( ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information ...............................1
Safety Restraints ..............................................7
Starting Your Thunderbird .........................45
Warning Lights and Gauges .......................55
Instrument Panel Controls ..........................73
Steering Column Controls ..........................91
Features ..........................................................101
Electronic Sound Systems .........................131
Driving Your Thunderbird .......................165
Roadside Emergencies ................................185
Customer Assistance ...................................203
Reporting Safety Defects ......................211
Accessories ....................................................215
Servicing Your Thunderbird ......................223
Quick Index ..................................................297
Index ...............................................................307
Service Station Information ......................324
File:rcpib.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:48 1996

20 [SR19240( ALL)06/09]In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is
closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could push the top of the
rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback,
center console (if so equipped), or center
armrests (if so equipped). REAR-FACING
INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE SECURED
IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child safety
seats and infant seats should be secured in the
rear seat whenever possible.
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[SR19260( ALL)05/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front
passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great
force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front
passengers, especially children and small adults,
must never sit on the front edge of the seat,
stand near the glove compartment of the
instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag
cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants
should sit with their backs against the seatback,
move the seat to the most rearward position if
possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should
use child or infant seats.
%*
[SR19300( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. NEVER
SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS
IN THE FRONT SEAT.
[SR19350(MBC )05/95]
THE FORCE OF THE RAPIDLY INFLATING
PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD PUSH THE TOP
OF THE REAR-FACING SEAT AGAINST THE
VEHICLE SEATBACK OR CENTER
CONSOLE/ARMRESTS. REAR-FACING
INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE PLACED
IN THE REAR SEAT.
File:rcsrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:31 1996

21
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[SR19400( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment
on or near the air bag cover on the
steering wheel or in front seat areas that
may come in contact with a deploying air
bag. Failure to follow this instruction may
increase the risk of personal injury in the
event of a collision.
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[SR19405( ALL)05/95]
For additional important safety information on
the proper use of seat belts, child seats, and
infant seats, please read the other sections of this
part of the Owner Guide, especially sections
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats
for Children.
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[SR19410( ALL)05/95]
For further information about the proper
mounting of equipment in the front seat of this
vehicle, please refer to Ford's brochure entitled
Some Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be
obtained by calling Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356.
Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
%*
[SR19500( ALL)01/95]
How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System Operates
[SR19650( ALL)05/95]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering
wheel. The right front passenger seat air bag is
in the upper right hand section of the
instrument panel ledge above the glove
compartment. Both air bags are designed to stay
out of sight until they are activated.
File:rcsrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:31 1996

27
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[SR24200( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never leave a child unattended in your
vehicle.
%*
[SR24250( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. NEVER
SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS
IN THE FRONT SEAT.
%*
[SR25100( ALL)01/95]
Safety Seats for Children
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[SR25200( ALL)05/95]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the
size and weight of the child. Always follow the
safety seat manufacturer's instructions when
installing and using the safety seat.
% [SR25225( ALL)04/95]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat
having a top tether strap. Install the child safety
seat in a seating position which is capable of
providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps see your Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[SR25250( ALL)02/95]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to
use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating
position, and make sure the tongue is securely
fastened in the buckle.
*
[SR25275( ALL)05/95]
Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg)
should use child or infant seats. Forward facing
child seats must have the passenger seat moved
as far back from the instrument panel as
possible.
File:rcsrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:31 1996

47
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[ST07000( ALL)03/95]
Fuel-Injected Engines
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[ST07100( ALL)03/95]
When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most
important thing to remember is to avoid
pressing down on the accelerator before or
during starting. Only use the accelerator when
you have problems getting your vehicle started.
SeeStarting Your Enginein this chapter for
details about when to use the accelerator while
you start your vehicle.
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[ST07300( ALL)03/95]
Starting Your Vehicle
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[ST07400( ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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[ST07500( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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[ST07600( ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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[ST07700( ALL)01/95]
1. Make sure you and all your passengers
buckle your safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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[ST07800( ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
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[ST08100( BCGV)03/95]
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key.
*
[ST08400( ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
File:rcstb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:52:09 1996

55
Warning Lights and
Gauges
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[LG00400( ALL)01/95]
The instrument panel (dashboard) on your
vehicle is divided into several different sections.
The illustrations on the following pages show
the major parts of the instrument panel that are
described in this chapter. Some items shown
may not be on all vehicles.
[LG00500( BCGV)05/94]
In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges
are grouped together in the instrument cluster
and the indicator lamp module.
File:rclgb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:57 1996

73
Instrument Panel Controls
[IP00270( BC )05/94]
full page art:0010101-K
The instrument panel
File:rcipb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:01 1996

74 [IP00400( ALL)05/95]The main controls for the climate control system,
clock, and radio are on the instrument panel.
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[IP00500( ALL)05/95]
NOTE: Any cleaner or polish that increases the
gloss (shine) of the upper part of the
instrument panel should be avoided.
The dull finish in this area is to help
protect the driver from undesirable
windshield reflection.
%
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[IP00600( ALL)01/95]
The Climate Control Systems
[IP00700( ALL)03/91]
Your vehicle has one of two different climate
control systems. The two systems are:
[IP01200( BCGV)06/93]
q
a manual heating and air conditioning system
[IP01250( BC )03/95]
q
a semi-automatic temperature control
system (if equipped)
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[IP01400( ALL)09/89]
If you are not sure which system your vehicle
has, see the diagrams on the following pages.
% [IP10700( BCGV)08/93]
The Manual Heating and Air Conditioning
System
[IP10800( BCGV)08/93]
You can heat the inside of your vehicle, defrost
the windshield, and turn on the air conditioning
with the three knobs in the center of the
instrument panel:
[IP10900( BCGV)08/93]
q
FAN
[IP11000( BCGV)08/93]
q
TEMP
[IP11100( BCGV)08/93]
q
SELECT
File:rcipb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:01 1996