1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD Owners Manual

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).
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167 % [DR01300( BC )03/93]
half page art:0010307-F
The positions of the console-mounted gearshift
*
[DR01500( ALL)11/94]
Once the gearshift is secure in the desired
position, release the brake pedal and use the
accelerator as necessary.
%*
[DR01700( ALL)01/95]
R (Reverse)
*
[DR01800( ALL)02/95]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
*
[DR01830( ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
[DR01860( ALL)05/94]
In N (Neutral), the wheels of the transmission
are not locked. Your vehicle will roll freely, even
on the slightest incline, unless the parking brake
or brakes are on.
%*
[DR01900( ALL)01/95]
Driving
[DR01940( BC )07/93]
Your vehicle's gearshift is console-mounted on
the floor. The Transmission Control Switch (TCS)
is located on the gearshift handle. The
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168Transmission Control Indicator Light (O/D OFF)
is located on the instrument panel. You can put
the gearshift lever in any of the several
positions.
[DR01951(MBC )03/95]
The OVERDRIVE OFF light is off (not
illuminated) during normal vehicle operation.
This allows the transmission to upshift and
downshift from 1st through 4th gears. When the
TCS is pressed, the Transmission Control
Indicator Light will illuminate (O/D OFF) on the
instrument panel. When this O/D OFF is
illuminated the transmission will upshift and
downshift from 1st through 3rd gears.
[DR01957( ALL)11/94]
If the O/D OFF light does not come ªonº when
the TCS is depressed or if the light ªFLASHESº
when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. If this condition
persists, damage could occur to the transmission.
*
[DR01961( BCGV)01/95]
To return the transmission to normal operation
(1st through 4th gear) depress the TCS again.
This switch may be used to cancel overdrive any
time the vehicle is being driven. Each time your
vehicle is started, the overdrive system will
automatically be in the normal overdrive mode
and the light will not be illuminated.
%*
[DR02010(MBC )01/95]
When to use D (Overdrive)
*
[DR02100( ALL)01/95]
Overdrive is the usual driving position for an
automatic overdrive transmission. It works the
same way Drive works, automatically upshifting
or downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows.
*
[DR02200( ALL)01/95]
However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth
gear Ð an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at an appropriate consistent speed for
any length of time. This fourth gear will increase
your fuel economy when you travel at cruising
speeds.
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169 [DR02500(MBC )05/95]
When to use D (Overdrive) Ð with
transmission control switch activated
(O/D OFF light illuminated)
*
[DR02600(MBC )01/95]
Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrain. If the transmission shifts back and forth
between Third and Fourth gears while you are
driving on hilly roads or if your vehicle does
not have adequate power for climbing hills,
depress the TCS.
*
[DR02605( BCGV)01/95]
You can depress the TCS at any speed.
*
[DR02610( ALL)01/95]
When to use 2 (Second)
*
[DR02620( ALL)01/95]
Use 2 (Second) for start-up on slippery roads or
to give you more engine braking to slow your
vehicle on downgrades.
*
[DR02700( ALL)01/95]
When to use 1 (Low)
*
[DR02800( ALL)03/95]
Use 1 (Low) when driving down steep grades. It
gives more engine braking to slow your vehicle
than 2 (Second) on the downgrades. You can
upshift from 1 (Low) to 2 (Second) or from
1 (Low) to Overdrive at any speed.
*
[DR03000( ALL)01/95]
P (Park)
*
[DR03100( ALL)01/95]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
rotating.
*
[DR03200( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
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170
*
[DR03225( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
*
[DR03400(MBC )01/95]
You can tell a console-mounted gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) if the lever is
adjacent to the P (Park) and you cannot move it
without pushing in the thumb button.
% [DR09720( ALL)03/95]Traction-Lok Axle (If equipped)
[DR09730( ALL)12/91]
This axle provides added traction on slippery
surfaces, particularly when one wheel is on a
poor traction surface. Under normal conditions
the Traction-Lok axle functions as a standard
rear axle.
*
[DR09740( ALL)03/93]
Extended use of other than matching size 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.
*
[DR09750( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
%
*
[DR09760( BCGV)03/95]
Traction Assist
TM
(If equipped)
*
[DR09770( BCGV)01/95]
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Assist
TM
system. This system helps
prevent wheel spin in order to improve tire
traction and is an especially useful feature when
you drive in hilly areas or on slippery, icy or
snowy roads.
*
[DR09780( BCGV)03/95]
Traction Assist
TM
works automatically by rapidly
applying and releasing the brakes to prevent one
or both of the rear drive wheels from spinning
during acceleration.
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171
*
[DR09782( BC )01/95]
The Traction Assist
TM
system can be manually
turned off, to allow wheelspin if you want, by
pushing the TRACTION ASSIST switch (located
on the console) when the vehicle is not in the
Traction Assist
TM
mode. The word ªOFFº in the
switch will light up to indicate the system is off.
The Traction AssistTM
system will automatically
be on each time the engine is started. During
ordinary driving, it is recommended to leave the
system turned on. The Traction Assist
TM
system
will then always be ready to operate when
needed.
[DR09783( BC )03/94]
one third page art:0011288-A
The Traction Assist
TM
switch
[DR09785( BCGV)03/95]
During the Traction Assist
TM
function, which
most often occurs during low speed acceleration
on slippery surfaces, a noise may be heard
coming from the engine compartment. This noise
is created by the ABS pump and is normal and
may last for a few seconds during the
acceleration of the vehicle.
*
[DR09790( BCGV)03/95]
In general, this system improves your vehicle's
stability and acceleration performance when road
conditions warrant. Traction Assist
TM
is fully
effective up to approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h). At 25 mph (40 km/h) the function
begins to taper off until it no longer operates
above 34 mph (55 km/h).
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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

173
%*
[DR10500( ALL)03/95]
Brakes
%*
[DR10600( ALL)01/95]
Applying the Brakes
[DR10650( ALL)05/95]
Braking non ABS models
[DR10800( B )03/95]
Your vehicle has standard power front disc
brakes and rear drum brakes, (anti-lock disc
brakes on all four wheels are optional). They
adjust automatically as the brake pads or linings
wear down.
*
[DR11100( ALL)04/95]
Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
[DR11300( ALL)03/95]
On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
[DR11310( ALL)05/95]
Braking with ABS brakes
[DR11400( ALL)03/95]
On vehicles with anti-lock brakes, the wheels
will not lock and slide when you press down
hard on the brake pedal. The anti-lock brakes
automatically start releasing and reapplying the
front brakes independently and the rear brakes
together whenever your wheels start to lock. Do
not ªpumpº the brake pedal on vehicles
equipped with anti-lock brakes. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulse.
This ªpulseº may be an unfamiliar feeling but it
is normal and indicates the ABS is working as
designed.
*
[DR11650( ALL)05/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
File:rcdrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996