1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD check oil

240 %
*
[SV16900( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
*
[SV17275( ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[SV17285( ALL)07/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
%
*
[SV17300( ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
%*
[SV17400( ALL)09/95]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[SV17500( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[SV17600( BCGV)10/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
%*
[SV17800( ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
*
[SV17850( ALL)05/95]
The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

256
*
[SV29400( ALL)10/94]
q
Avoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
*
[SV29500( ALL)05/94]
q
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
%*
[SV29600( ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV29700( ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
*
[SV29800( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
%
*
[SV30450( ALL)01/95]
Automatic Transmission Fluid
*
[SV30475( ALL)01/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transmission, since
your vehicle does not use up transmission fluid.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for replacement intervals. However, if
the transmission is not working properly Ð for
instance, the transmission may slip or shift
slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid
leakage Ð the fluid level should be checked.
%*
[SV30550( ALL)02/95]
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid
*
[SV30560( ALL)05/95]
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid
level at normal operating temperature
150ÊF-170ÊF (66ÊC-77ÊC),after approximately 20
miles (30 km) of driving. However, if necessary,
you can check the fluid level without having to
drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal
operating temperature if outside temperatures
are above50ÊF (10ÊC).
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

258 %
*
[SV30801( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
[SV30825(MBC )03/93]
one third page art:0011152-A
Detail of the automatic transmission dipstick
%*
[SV31900( ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
*
[SV32000( ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
[SV32200( BCGV)03/95]
Check the brake fluid at each scheduled engine
oil change or at least once a year. You can do
this by looking at the fluid level in the plastic
reservoir on the master cylinder. Also, see label
on reservoir cap. (To locate the master cylinder,
seeThe Engine Typesin the Index.) The fluid
level should be between the MIN and MAX
marks.
*
[SV32350( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

281
those which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
*
[SV53150( ALL)05/95]
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine
Ford replacement parts. If other than Ford or
Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for the service of components
affecting emission control, such non-Ford parts
should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It
is the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information.
*
[SV53175( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
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.
*
[SV53200( ALL)05/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
*
[SV53300( ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[SV53400( ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

312 Index
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 174
Emission control system,
catalytic converter........... 280
Engine
check engine warning light....... 63
does not start.............. 49
fuel injected engine, starting....... 47
fuel pump shut-off switch........ 53
preparing to start............ 47
service points............. 227
starting................. 48
starting after a collision......... 53
storing your vehicle.......... 289
Engine block heater............ 50
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 240
checking hoses............ 241
disposal............... 243
low coolant warning light........ 72
preparing for storage......... 290
proper solution............ 242
recovery reservoir........... 240
refill capacities............ 285
specifications............. 287
Engine coolant temperature gauge
description............... 66
mechanical............... 66
Engine fan............... 224
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter....... 239
checking and adding......... 238
dipstick............... 238
disposal............... 240
engine oil pressure gauge........ 69
filter, specifications.......... 286
refill capacities............ 285
specifications............. 287
synthetic oil............. 237
ªbreak-inº oils............. 5
viscosity............... 237
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314 Index
Fuses
charts................ 266
checking and replacing........ 272
circuit breakers............ 273
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap).......... 230
Gasoline (see Fuel)............ 231
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature gauge.... 66
engine oil pressure gauge........ 69
fuel gauge............... 65
multi-gauge.............. 62
odometer................ 67
speedometer.............. 67
tachometer............... 68
trip odometer.............. 68
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 179
definition............... 178
location............... 178
Gearshift
automatic operation.......... 165
console-mounted........... 167
positions............... 165
shift-lock............... 166
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 179
definition............... 178
location............... 178
H
Hazard flashers.............. 94
Headlamps
autolamp system............ 84
bulb specification........... 279
checking alignment.......... 274
cleaning................ 84
daytime running lights......... 82
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318 Index
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration............ 211
O
Odometer
description............... 67
trip odometer.............. 68
Oil filter................ 286
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 236
Oil viscosity.............. 237
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 282
Overdrive................ 168
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system . 112
Parking brake
operation............... 174
warning light.............. 57
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)........ 286
PCV valve, specifications......... 286
Phone, cellular.............. 90
Power distribution box (see Fuses).... 264
Power door locks............ 101
Power features
door locks.............. 102
mirrors................ 124
moon roof.............. 115
seats................. 121
windows............... 114
Power steering
dipstick............... 261
driving with power steering...... 172
fluid, checking and adding....... 260
fluid, refill capacity.......... 285
fluid, specifications.......... 287
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322 Index
Traction assist.............. 170
Traction-lok rear axle.......... 170
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer
weight............... 180
safety chains............. 182
tips................. 184
trailer brakes............. 183
trailer lamps............. 183
Transmission
automatic operation.......... 165
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)............. 256
fluid, refill capacities......... 285
lubricant specifications......... 287
Transmission control switch....... 167
Transmitter (see Remote entry)...... 111
Trip odometer............... 68
Trunk
remote release lever.......... 129
using the keys to open........ 129
using the remote entry system to open . 111
Tune-up specifications (VECI)....... 282
Turn signal
indicator lights............. 65
lever.................. 91
U
Used engine oil, disposal......... 240
V
Vanity mirror.............. 126
Variable interval wipers.......... 93
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information)
decal................. 282
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 206
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996