1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD check engine light

261
%*
[SV34800( ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV34900( ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV35000( ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
[SV35050( BC )10/95]
3.8L SFI engine
*
[SV35100( ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV35200( ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[SV35300( ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[SV35400(MBC )03/94]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
*
[SV35500(MBC )07/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
*
[SV35600(MBC )03/95]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
File:rcsvb.ex
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
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

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
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

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
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

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