1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD tow

203
Customer Assistance
%*
[HS00205( ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00210( ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week hotline with trained operators
that put you in touch with the help you need if
you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you
throughout your warranty period of
3 years or 36,000 miles (3 years or 60,000 km),
whichever comes first. To purchase Roadside
Assistance coverages beyond this period,
through Ford Auto Club, contact your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer (not available in
Canada).
*
[HS00215( ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
*
[HS00220( ALL)06/94]
q
Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
*
[HS00225( ALL)06/94]
q
Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
*
[HS00230( ALL)06/94]
q
Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
*
[HS00235( ALL)06/94]
q
Bring you fuel if you run out.
*
[HS00240( ALL)06/94]
q
Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even
non-warranty related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing and repossession).
File:rchsb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:47:39 1996

242 [SV19000(MBC )05/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the radiator cap or vent
plug while the engine is running or hot.
[SV19030( ALL)05/95]
Follow these steps to avoid personal injury that
can be caused by escaping steam or engine
coolant.
[SV19040(MBC )03/95]
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine
off and let it cool. Even when the engine is
cool, be careful when you remove the
radiator cap or vent plug.
[SV19145( ALL)03/95]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick towel
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to unscrew.
*
[SV19150( ALL)09/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV19160( ALL)12/94]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to press the cap
down, turn it, and remove it.
*
[SV19170(MBC )09/95]
5. Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
*
[SV19190( ALL)09/95]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture
your vehicle's coolant system can hold, seeRefill
capacities for fluidsin the Index.
% [SV19200( ALL)06/95]
Add engine coolant only to the reservoir.If the
coolant level is low, add a 50/50 or appropriate
mixture of water and the type of engine coolant
that Ford specifies. You may add water by itself
only in an emergency, but you should replace it
with a 50/50 or appropriate mixture as soon as
possible.
*
[SV19300( ALL)01/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if you have to add more than a
quart (liter) of engine coolant more than once a
month.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

278 % [SV48900( BCGV)06/94]Toremovethe high-mount brakelamp:
[SV49200( BC )01/89]
1. Slide the trim cover toward the front of the
vehicle to disengage the retaining clips.
[SV49500( BC )01/89]
2. Twist the socket counterclockwise and
remove from lamp.
[SV50015( BC )03/91]
3. Pull bulb out of socket.
[SV50100( BC )01/89]
4. Remove the retaining screw.
[SV50200( BC )01/89]
5. Lift the lamp above the carpet and slide
away from the rear window.
[SV50260( BC )05/94]
6. Replace the burned out bulbs.
*
[SV50300( BCGV)02/95]
Toinstallthe high-mount brakelamp:
[SV50400( BC )01/89]
1. Slide the lamp into slots, toward the rear
window.
[SV50700( BC )01/89]
2. Install the screw.
[SV51000( BC )01/89]
3. Push bulb into the socket.
[SV51300( BC )01/89]
4. Install the bulb and socket into the lamp and
twist socket clockwise until it locks.
[SV51500( BC )01/89]
5. Slide the trim cover toward rear of vehicle
to engage the retaining clips.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 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

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