1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD trailer

257 [SV30575( ALL)03/94]
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the
engine and, while fully applying the brake
pedal, move the transmission shift selector
through all of the gear ranges allowing sufficient
time for each position to engage.Securely latch
the transmission shift selector in the P (Park)
position, fully set the parking brake and leave
the engine running.
[SV30625(MBC )03/93]
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven if
the fluid level is below the low cold
reading on the dipstick.
*
[SV30650( ALL)02/95]
Wipe off the dipstick cap, pull the dipstick out
and wipe the indicator end clean. Put the
dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure
it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read
the fluid level.
[SV30675(MBC )10/95]
When checking fluid at normal operating
temperature150ÊF-170ÊF (66ÊC-77ÊC), thefluid
level should be within the hot notched area on
the dipstick. When the vehicle has not been
driven, and the fluid is at room temperature
50ÊF-95ÊF (10ÊC-35ÊC), thefluid level should be
within the cold notched area.
*
[SV30715( ALL)01/95]
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic during hot weather, or
pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to
allow the fluid to cool before checking.
%*
[SV30725( ALL)08/95]
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid
[SV30750( ALL)03/94]
Before adding any fluid, be sure that the correct
type will be used. Use only MERCONHfluid.
*
[SV30775( ALL)03/95]
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (.25L) increments through
the filler tube to bring the level to the correct
area on the dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL. If the
level is above the top hole on the dipstick,
excess fluid should be removed by a qualified
technician.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

Index 309
Brakes (continued)
front disc.............. 173
new brake linings............ 4
noise................ 174
parking............... 174
trailer................ 183
when storing your vehicle....... 290
Brake-shift interlock........... 166
Break-in period.............. 4
Bulbs, replacing
headlamps.............. 275
specifications............. 279
C
Canada, customer assistance....... 212
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).............. 212
Capacities for refilling fluids....... 285
Carbon monoxide in exhaust........ 51
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)......... 27
Cassette tape player
(see Electronic sound system) . . . 141, 150
Catalytic converter........... 280
CD player
(see Electronic sound system)..... 131
Chains, tires.............. 255
Changing a tire............. 191
Charging system gauge.......... 69
Charging system warning light....... 60
Child safety restraints........... 25
child safety belts............ 43
child safety seats............ 27
Child safety seats
and air bags............ 20,27
automatic locking mode (retractor).... 29
in front seat.............. 29
in rear outboard seat.......... 35
in rear seat............... 42
Chime
key in ignition............. 46
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

Index 311
Cooling fan............... 224
Cruise control (see Speed control)..... 97
Customer Assistance Center,
Ford (U.S.).............. 206
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada............ 206
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)..... 73
Daytime running light system....... 82
Defrost
rear window.............. 81
windshield............. 75,79
Dispute Settlement Board........ 207
Doors
door ajar warning light......... 71
lubricant specifications........ 287
Driving under special conditions
bad weather............. 176
heavy load.............. 178
high water.............. 177
slippery roads............ 176
towing a trailer............ 180
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 273
fuses................ 264
operating when the engine is off..... 45
Electronic sound system
radio reception............ 161
tuning the radio.........133, 152
warranty and service information . . . 164
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 142
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 203
battery acid spills........... 185
jump-starting............. 185
towing................ 201
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

316 Index
J
Jack
operation............... 195
positioning.............. 197
Jump-starting your vehicle
attaching cables............ 187
disconnecting cables.......... 190
K
Keys
key in ignition chime.......... 46
positions of the ignition......... 45
removing from the ignition....... 46
stuck in lock position.......... 46
L
Lamps
bulb replacement specifications chart . . 279
checking............... 274
courtesy lamps............. 89
daytime running light system...... 82
dome lamps.............. 88
flashing the lamps............ 92
hazard flashers............. 94
headlamps............... 83
high beams............... 92
high-mount brakelamp........ 277
illuminated entry system........ 103
illuminated mirrors.......... 126
interior lamps.............. 86
map lamps............... 88
replacing bulbs............ 274
trailer................ 183
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal) . . . 91
Lap belts................. 16
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

Index 317
Lights, warning and indicator
airbag................. 60
anti-lock brakes (ABS).......... 58
brake................. 57
charging system............ 60
check engine.............. 63
check gauges.............. 62
door ajar................ 71
high beam............... 62
low coolant.............. 72
low fuel.............. 62,72
low washer fluid............ 72
overdrive off.............. 61
safety belt............... 59
turn signal indicator.......... 65
Load limits
GAWR................ 178
GVWR................ 178
trailer towing............. 180
Lubricant specifications......... 287
Luggage compartment.......... 129
Lug nuts
anti-theft............... 200
tightening sequence.......... 198
M
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 223
Map pockets.............. 128
Master cylinder, brakes......... 258
Mirrors
rearview............... 124
side view mirrors (power)....... 124
vanity mirror, illuminated....... 126
Moon roof............... 115
Motorcraft parts............. 286
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

Index 319
R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems) . . . 131
Rear window, defroster.......... 81
Refill capacities for fluids........ 285
Relays................. 264
Remote control, trunk.......... 129
Remote entry system
locking/unlocking doors....... 111
opening the trunk.......... 111
panic alarm............. 112
replacement/additional transmitters . . 113
replacing the batteries......... 112
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult................. 7
child.................. 25
head................. 118
infant................. 25
Roadside assistance........... 203
Roadside emergencies.......... 185
Rotating the tires............ 251
S
Safe driving tips............ 176
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)...... 7
Safety chains, when towing a trailer . . . 182
Safety defects, reporting......... 211
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts.... 10,12,16
automatic locking mode (retractor).... 10
center rear lap belt........... 16
cleaning the safety belts......... 18
extension assembly........... 17
for children.............. 25
for infants............... 25
for pregnant women.......... 14
replacement.............. 17
warning light and chime........ 59
Safety seats for children
and air bags.............. 20
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

320 Index
attaching with tether straps....... 27
automatic locking mode (retractor).... 29
in center seating positions........ 42
in front seat.............. 29
in rear outboard............ 35
tether anchorage hardware........ 27
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual....... 118
adjusting the seats, power....... 121
child safety seats............ 27
cleaning upholstery.......... 123
head restraints............ 118
rear seat access............ 123
reclining the seat........... 120
sport seat.............. 122
Serial number (VIN)........... 206
Service concerns............. 205
Servicing your vehicle, precautions
when servicing............ 224
Shift-lock system............ 166
Side mirrors, adjusting.......... 124
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof).... 115
Snow tires and chains.......... 255
Spare tire
changing the tire........... 194
finding the spare........... 193
removing the spare tire........ 193
temporary spare........... 191
Spark plugs, specifications........ 286
Specification chart, lubricants....... 287
Speed control
accelerating............... 99
canceling a set speed......... 100
resetting................ 99
resuming a set speed......... 100
turning off.............. 100
when towing a trailer......... 184
Speedometer............... 67
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle...... 47
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

Index 321
Starting your vehicle (continued)
starting a cold engine.......... 48
starting after a collision......... 53
starting a warm engine......... 48
Steering, power............. 172
Steering wheel
horn.................. 95
locking................ 45
speed controls............. 97
tilting................. 96
Storage compartments
center console............ 127
map pockets............. 128
Storing your vehicle........... 288
Sun visor................ 126
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 60
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).... 18
T
Tachometer................ 68
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 279
cleaning................ 84
Temperature control (see Climate control) . . 74
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints).......... 27
Tilt steering wheel............ 96
Tires
changing............... 191
checking the pressure......... 251
cleaning............... 256
replacing............... 252
rotating............... 251
snow tires and chains......... 255
storing your vehicle.......... 290
tire grades.............. 253
treadwear.............. 254
wear bands............. 252
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 180
Towing your vehicle, with a tow truck . . 201
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996