1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD parking brake

172 [DR09793( BCGV)01/95]If the Traction Assist
TM
system is cycled
excessively, the system will shut down to
prevent the rear brakes from overheating.
During this shutdown period, the word OFF in
the traction assist switch will be illuminated
showing that the traction assist system is
inoperative. A cooling down period is required
to prevent damage to the rear brakes. This time
period varies and depends on brake usage
during the cooling down period. Anti-Lock
braking is not affected and will function
normally during the cool down period.
[DR09795( BCGV)05/95]
NOTE: Traction-Lok axles are not an available
option on vehicles equipped with
traction assist.
*
[DR09800( ALL)01/95]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[DR09900( ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
%*
[DR09950( ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[DR10000( ALL)01/95]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
[DR10200( BCGV)12/94]
Speed Sensitive Power Steering
(If equipped)
[DR10401( BC )06/94]
The steering system in 4.6L engine vehicles is
speed sensitive. This means that the steering
effort is light for parking and heavier for
highway driving. However, if you have to
swerve around an object or another vehicle, your
steering will have full power assist.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996

174
*
[DR11700( ALL)03/95]
NOTE: If you are driving down a long or
steep hill, shift to a lower gear and do
not apply your brakes continuously. If
you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less
effective.
%*
[DR11800( ALL)03/95]
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes louder or more frequent, have your
brakes inspected by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
[DR11900( ALL)05/94]
Ford Motor Company has not found any
detrimental effects of popular mobile radio
transmitting equipment installed on vehicles
with the anti-lock brake system, if the equipment
is installed according to the manufacturer's
instructions. However, if mobile radio
transmitting equipment is installed in your
vehicle and, if either the anti-lock brake system
cycles or the check anti-lock light comes on at
any time other than right after you turn the key
to ON or during a sudden stop, have your
mobile radio dealer inspect the installation.
%*
[DR12000( ALL)03/95]
Parking Brake
*
[DR12050( ALL)01/95]
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
[DR12500( BCGV)03/95]
The parking brake pedal is suspended just below
the bottom of the instrument panel to the left of
the brake pedal.
[DR12900( BC )03/95]
To set the parking brake while parking your
vehicle, apply the brake pedal with your right
foot and hold it while you push the parking
brake down firmly with your left foot. The brake
system warning light will glow.
File:rcdrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996

175 [DR13500( BC )03/95]
one third page art:0010315-A
The parking brake
*
[DR13800( BCGV)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
[DR14050( BC )03/95]
To release the parking brake, press down on the
pedal until you hear a click. Lift your foot off
the pedal. The brake is now released and will
reset to lock the next time you press the pedal,
located below the lower left corner of the
instrument panel. The Brake System Warning
Light will glow if the parking brake is not fully
released when the engine is running.
*
[DR14200( ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[DR14300( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
File:rcdrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996

176 [DR14400( ALL)07/93]The parking brake system is designed for static
parking only and is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
*
[DR14500( ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[DR14600( ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[DR14700( ALL)03/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[DR14800( ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
%*
[DR15200( ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[DR15300( ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
*
[DR15400( ALL)03/95]
Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:
*
[DR15500( ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
*
[DR15600( ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
[DR15700( ALL)03/95]
q
Do not use speed control.
*
[DR15800( ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
*
[DR15900( ALL)03/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
*
[DR16000( ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
File:rcdrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996

186
*
[RE00900( ALL)05/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[RE01000( ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to jump-start
and connecting the jumper cables in the order they
are given. If in doubt, call for road service.
*
[RE01100( ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
[RE01150( ALL)11/90]
NOTE: also see label on battery.
*
[RE01200( ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01300( ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[RE01400( ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01500( ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
*
[RE01600( ALL)02/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.
Turning on the fan helps protect the
electrical system from voltage surges. Turn
off all other switches and lights in both
vehicles to prevent possible damage to either
vehicle's electrical systems.
File:rcreb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:15 1996

191
%*
[RE03900( ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
*
[RE04000( ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
%*
[RE04100( ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
[RE04225(MBC )03/94]
You have a high pressure temporary spare tire.
This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire and
is designed for emergency use only. Use it only
when you get a flat tire and replace it as soon
as you can. This spare tire is marked with the
words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you
can easily identify it.
*
[RE04250( ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Extended use of other than
conventional spare tires on a
Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness.
This loss of effectiveness does not
affect normal driving and should not
be noticeable to the driver.
*
[RE04300( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
File:rcreb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:15 1996

194 %
*
[RE07300( ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[RE07525( BCGV)03/95]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
[RE07550( BCGV)05/95]
When one of the back wheels is off the ground,
the transmission alone will not prevent the
vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack,
even if the vehicle is in P (Park). To prevent the
vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block the
wheel (both directions) that is diagonally
opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
*
[RE07560( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
*
[RE07875( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
*
[RE07900( ALL)05/95]
2. Get out the spare tire and jack.
[RE08000( BC )11/92]
3. Remove any optional wheel covers or
hubcaps with the tapered end of a wheel nut
wrench. Insert the handle of the wrench and
twist it against the inner wheel cover flange.
For more about removing wheel covers, see
the information later in this chapter.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:15 1996

225
*
[SV01900( ALL)06/95]
q
If you must work with the engine running,
avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long hair.
*
[SV02000( ALL)06/95]
q
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed
space with the engine running, unless you are
sure you have enough ventilation.
*
[SV02100( ALL)08/95]
q
Never get under a vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If you must work
under a vehicle, use safety stands.
*
[SV02200( ALL)06/95]
q
Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking
materials away from the battery and all
fuel-related parts.
*
[SV02600(MBC )03/95]
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before your vehicle
will drive properly. To find out how the engine
does this, seeBatteryin this chapter.
*
[SV02800( ALL)03/95]
Working with the engine off:
*
[SV03000( BCGV)03/95]
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
*
[SV03100( ALL)06/95]
2. Remove the key from the ignition after you
turn the engine off.
*
[SV03150( ALL)06/95]
3. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
*
[SV03200( ALL)03/95]
Working with the engine on:
*
[SV03400( BCGV)03/95]
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
*
[SV03501( ALL)03/95]
2. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996