1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD brake

57
*
[LG02700( BCGV)06/94]
The Mechanical Cluster
*
[LG02800( BCGV)06/93]
The following warning lights and gauges are on
the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.
%*
[LG02900( ALL)03/95]
Brake System Warning Light
*
[LG03000( ALL)03/95]
The warning light for the brakes can show two
things Ð that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in
the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is
low, the brake system should be checked by a
qualified service technician.
[LG03025( BC )07/93]
one inch art:0010116-D[LG03100( ALL)01/95]
This light comes on when the parking brake is
set, or if it is not set, it comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition key to START. It normally
goes off shortly after the engine starts and you
release the parking brake. If the light stays on
after you have fully released the parking brake,
have the hydraulic brake system serviced.
*
[LG03200( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
File:rclgb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:57 1996

58 % [LG03475( ALL)05/94]Anti-Lock Brake System Light
(If equipped)
[LG03500( ALL)05/94]
This warning light will go on each time you
start your vehicle. If it remains on for longer
than five seconds, you should shut off your
engine and restart. If the anti-lock brake light
stays on, this indicates that the anti-lock feature
is disabled and should receive immediate
attention by a qualified service technician.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake
warning light is also lit.
*
[LG03505( BCGV)01/95]
The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check
capabilities. As previously described, the system
turns on the anti-lock light each time you start
your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light is out, the system performs
another test the first time the vehicle reaches
14 mph (22 km/h). The system turns on the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) pump motor for
approximately 1/2 second. At this time a
mechanical noise may be heard. This is a normal
part of the self-check feature. If a malfunction is
found during this check the anti-lock light will
come on.
[LG03680( ALL)05/95]
one inch art:0011194-BFile:rclgb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:57 1996

59
*
[LG03700( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the anti-lock brake system warning
light remains on or comes on while
driving, have the braking system checked
by a qualified service technician as soon
as possible.
[LG03800( ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If a fault occurs in the anti-lock
system, and the brake warning light is
not lit, the anti-lock system is disabled
but normal brake function remains
operational.
%*
[LG04300( ALL)04/95]
Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
*
[LG04305( ALL)03/95]
This warning light and chime remind you to
fasten your safety belt. The following conditions
will take place:
[LG04317( BC )03/95]
q
If the safety belt is not buckled when the key
is turned to the ON position, the light will
come on for 1 to 2 minutes and the chime
will sound for 4 to 8 seconds.
*
[LG04320(MBC )03/95]
q
If the safety belt is buckled while the light is
on and the chime is sounding, both the light
and chime will turn off.
[LG04340( BC )03/95]
q
If the safety belt is buckled before the key is
turned to the ON position, the light will
come on for 1 to 2 minutes.
[LG04600( ALL)05/92]
one inch art:0010118-AFile:rclgb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:57 1996

82
%*
[IP34200( ALL)01/95]
The Interior and Exterior Lights
%*
[IP34310( ALL)01/95]
Daytime Running Light System
*
[IP34312( ALL)03/95]
(Canadian vehicles only)
*
[IP34320( ALL)03/95]
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system turns
the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced
light output, when:
*
[IP34325( ALL)03/95]
q
The headlamp system is in the OFF position,
and
*
[IP34330( ALL)03/95]
q
The vehicle is running, and
*
[IP34340( ALL)01/95]
q
The vehicle has a fully released parking
brake.
*
[IP34360( BCGV)01/95]
NOTE: If you have a vehicle with an
automatic lighting system, the DRL
system is active until the automatic
system turns on the headlamps.
*
[IP34363( ALL)10/94]
NOTE: The high beam indicator will not turn
on in the flash-to-pass mode during
nighttime driving.
*
[IP34365( ALL)01/95]
NOTE: You may notice that the lights flicker
when the vehicle is turned on or off.
This is a normal condition.
*
[IP34367( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
will not illuminate the tail lamps and
parking lamps. Turn on your headlamps
at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a
collision.
File:rcipb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:01 1996

99
*
[SC11030( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: If your speed increases above your set
speed while driving in D (Drive) on a
downhill grade, you may want to
depress the Transmission Control
Switch located on the shift lever to
turn off overdrive to reduce vehicle
speed. Speed control cannot reduce the
vehicle speed if it goes above your set
speed on a downhill grade.
*
[SC11100( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy
traffic or on roads that are winding,
slippery, or unpaved.
%*
[SC11200( ALL)03/95]
Accelerating With the Speed Control
Operating
*
[SC11300( ALL)03/95]
You can use the accelerator pedal to speed up
momentarily. When you take your foot off the
accelerator, the vehicle will return to the set
speed.
%*
[SC11400( ALL)01/95]
Resetting the Speed Control
*
[SC11450( ALL)03/95]
To reset the speed control to alower speed, use
one of the following procedures:
[SC11500( ALL)05/94]
q
COAST ÐPress and hold the COAST switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle slows
down to the desired speed.
[SC11550( ALL)05/94]
q
Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the vehicle
attains the desired speed, press the SET
ACCEL switch and release it immediately.
*
[SC11650( ALL)04/95]
If vehicle speed is reduced below 30 mph
(50 km/h) by any of the above methods, then
you must manually accelerate to a speed over
30 mph (50 km/h) and reset the system.
File:rcscb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:50:25 1996

100
*
[SC11700( ALL)03/95]
To reset the speed control toa higher speed,
follow one of these procedures:
[SC11750( ALL)05/94]
q
ACCEL ÐPress and hold the SET ACCEL
switch. Release the switch when the vehicle
has accelerated to the desired speed.
[SC11800( ALL)05/94]
q
Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, press the
SET ACCEL switch and release it
immediately.
%*
[SC12800( ALL)03/95]
Cancelling and Resuming a Set Speed
[SC13000( BCGV)03/95]
If you press the brake pedal, speed control is
suspended. You can return to the set speed by
pressing the RESUME switch, as long as you did
not press the OFF switch. You must be driving
at least 30 mph (48 km/h).
*
[SC13400( ALL)03/95]
Your vehicle will gradually return to the
previously set speed and then maintain it.
%*
[SC13501( ALL)01/95]
To Turn Speed Control Off
*
[SC13601( ALL)04/95]
Press the OFF switch.
*
[SC13701( ALL)01/95]
Speed control is also turned OFF each time the
vehicle ignition is shut off.
File:rcscb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:50:25 1996

165
Driving Your Thunderbird
%*
[DR00500( ALL)03/93]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
[DR00510(MBC )05/94]
The gearshift lever is floor mounted.
*
[DR00700( BCGV)01/95]
The automatic overdrive transmission operates
very much like a regular automatic transmission,
except it offers the extra overdrive feature.
%*
[DR00800( ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
*
[DR00950( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
[DR00965(MBC )03/95]
To move the shifter out of P (Park), the ignition
key must be turned to either the OFF or the ON
position and the thumb button must be pushed
in. This vehicle is also equipped with the brake
shift interlock safety feature which prevents
shifting the transmission out of the P (Park)
position without the brake pedal being
depressed if the key is in the ON position.
*
[DR00975( ALL)03/95]
To operate:
*
[DR00980( ALL)01/95]
1. Start the engine.
*
[DR00985( ALL)01/95]
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[DR00990( ALL)01/95]
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
File:rcdrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996

166 %
*
[DR00995( ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. This
feature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be
moved from P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
*
[DR01000( ALL)01/95]
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
*
[DR01005( ALL)01/95]
2. Apply parking brake.
*
[DR01010( ALL)01/95]
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise
to the first position (OFF).
*
[DR01020( ALL)01/95]
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
*
[DR01025( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
*
[DR01027( ALL)05/95]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledServicing Your
Thunderbirdin this Owner Guide for instructions
on checking and replacing fuses.
[DR01030(MBC )05/94]
The console-mounted gearshift will lock in
P (Park) when you turn the key to the LOCK
position. When the gearshift is in any position
except P (Park), the ignition key cannot be
turned to LOCK or removed from the steering
column. TO REMOVE THE KEY, the gearshift
lever must be in P (Park).
File:rcdrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996