1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD steering

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

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

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

262 [SV35700(MBC )12/94]
half page art:0010485-CThe dipstick for power steering fluid
[SV35850( BC )05/95]
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford
Specification ESW-M2C33-F, such as Ford
Premium Power Steering Fluid, E6AZ-19582-AA
or is an equivalent Type F Automatic
Transmission Fluid with a Ford registration
number (an 8-digit number beginning with ª2Pº
printed on the fluid container).
*
[SV35900( ALL)01/95]
If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive
your vehicle for a long period of time before
adding fluid. This can damage the power
steering pump.
*
[SV36100(MBC )02/95]
If you check the power steering fluid when it is
cold, make sure that the fluid reaches the FULL
COLD range on the dipstick. The reading will
only be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 50 to85ÊF (10 to 30ÊC).
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

263 [SV36155( BC )10/95]
4.6L SFI engine
[SV36170(MBC )03/95]
1. Check the fluid level when the system is
COLD (allow at least one half hour after
driving for the power steering fluid to cool).
[SV36171(MBC )10/95]
2. Locate the power steering reservoir mounted
to the front upper left-hand corner of the
engine.
[SV36178( BC )10/95]
3. Visually verify that the fluid level is above
the MIN line adjacent to the reservoir ªsight
window.º
[SV36182( BC )10/95]
4. If the power steering fluid is below the MIN
line, remove the cap and add fluid in small
amounts until the level is between the MIN
and MAX lines.
[SV36185( BC )10/95]
5. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
[SV36190( BC )10/95]
half page art:0011153-A
Fluid level for power steering
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

264 [SV36200( BC )06/95]Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford's
Specification ESW-M2C33-F, such as Ford
Premium Power Steering Fluid, E6AZ-19582-AA
or an equivalent Type F Automatic Transmission
Fluid with a Ford registration number (an 8-digit
number beginning with ª2Pº printed on the
fluid container).
*
[SV36250(MBC )03/95]
NOTE: If the power steering fluid is low, do
not drive your vehicle for a long
period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering
pump.
% [SV36300(MBC )12/94]Fuses, High Current Fuses and
Circuit Breakers
*
[SV36400( ALL)03/95]
Fuses (conventional and high current) and circuit
breakers protect your vehicle's wiring system
from overloading. If electrical parts in your
vehicle are not working, the system may have
been overloaded and blown a fuse or tripped a
circuit breaker. Before you replace or repair any
electrical parts, check the appropriate fuses
(conventional and high current) or circuit
breakers.
*
[SV36600( ALL)03/95]
The following charts tell you which fuses or
circuit breakers protect the wiring for each
electrical part of your vehicle. If a fuse blows or
a circuit breaker opens a circuit,allthe parts of
your vehicle that use that circuit will not work.
*
[SV36610( ALL)01/95]
Once you have determined which fuses or circuit
breakers to check, follow the procedures under
Checking and replacing fusesorChecking and
replacing circuit breakersin this chapter.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

272 %
*
[SV41210( ALL)06/95]
Checking and Replacing Fuses
*
[SV41215( ALL)02/95]
If you need to check a fuse, follow these steps:
[SV41225( BC )03/93]
1. Find the fuse panel underneath the
instrument panel, to the left of the steering
column.
[SV41245( BCGV)03/93]
2. Check the fuse to see if it is blown. Look
through the clear side of the fuse to see if
the metal wire inside is separated. If it is,
the fuse should be replaced.
[SV41550( ALL)05/92]
quarter page art:0010416-A
The side view of a fuse
[SV41700( BC )04/89]
3. Replace the fuse with one that has the right
amperage rating. (See the following chart.)
To remove the fuse use the pulling tool
attached to the inside cover of the fuse
panel. There are also four spare fuses
attached to the cover.
[SV41900( ALL)07/95]
eight pica chart:0001092-BFile:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 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