1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD service

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[HS09400( ALL)05/95]
Consumers wishing to obtain further information
about the program can obtain an information
booklet from your dealer or contact the
Provincial Administrator, Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan, at the address or
telephone number shown below.
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O & P Services
595 Bay Street Ð Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2C2
Telephone 1 (800) 207-0685
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This plan is not available in the province of
Quebec.
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[HS09700( ALL)05/95]
Getting Help Outside the U.S.
and Canada
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[HS09800( ALL)05/95]
Before you export your vehicle to a foreign
country, contact the appropriate foreign embassy
or consulate to make sure local regulations do
not prevent you from registering your vehicle.
Officials at the embassy can also help you decide
whether you should import your vehicle to that
country.
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[HS09900( ALL)05/95]
Officials at the embassy or consulate can tell you
where to get unleaded fuel. If you cannot get
unleaded fuel or can get only fuel with an
anti-knock index that is lower than your vehicle
needs, contact a district or owner relations office
before you leave the U.S. or Canada.
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[HS10000( ALL)05/95]
Use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without a
proper conversion may damage the effectiveness
of your emissions control system and may cause
engine knocking or serious engine damage. Ford
Motor Company is not responsible for any
damage that is caused by use of improper fuel.
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[HS10100( ALL)05/95]
You may also have difficulty importing your
vehicle back into the U.S. if you use leaded fuel.
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214
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If your vehicle must be serviced while you are
traveling or living in Central or South America,
the Caribbean, or the Middle East, contact the
nearest Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot
help you, write to:
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[HS10300( ALL)05/95]
one inch art:0060103-H
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[HS10400( ALL)05/95]
If you are in other foreign countries, contact the
nearest Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot
help you, they can direct you to the appropriate
Ford affiliate office.
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[HS10500( ALL)05/95]
If you buy your vehicle in North America and
then relocate outside of the U.S. or Canada,
register your Vehicle Identification Number and
new address with Ford Motor Company Export
Operations.
File:rchsb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:47:39 1996

223
Servicing Your Thunderbird
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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[SV00700( ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
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[SV00900( ALL)05/94]
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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[SV01000( ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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[SV01100( ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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[SV01250( ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

224vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed in
theOwner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for any
unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice
something unusual, see that your vehicle is
serviced promptly.
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[SV01275( ALL)03/95]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids,
and service parts conforming to Ford
specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is
your assurance that Ford-built quality stays in
your vehicle.
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[SV01400( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
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Be especially careful when inspecting or
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
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[SV01800(MBC )10/95]
q
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fan may come on unexpectedly.
Always turn the engine off and let it cool.
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[SV01850(MBC )10/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
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227
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Engine Compartment
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Your vehicle has one of these types of engines:
[SV04900(MBC )06/95]
q
a 3.8 liter SFI engine
[SV05075(MBC )03/95]
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a 4.6 liter SFI engine
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[SV05300(MBC )11/94]
The following pages show diagrams of each
engine type and where to find items that you
should regularly service.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

232reformulated gasoline is not available when you
refuel, your vehicle can be operated on
non-California fuels. However, even though your
engine will perform adequately on other
gasolines, the performance of the emission
control devices and systems may be adversely
affected. Repair of damage caused by using a
fuel that your vehicle was not designed for may
not be covered by your warranty.
[SV08750( ALL)02/96]
Octane recommendation
[SV08800( ALL)02/96]
Your vehicle is designed to use regular gasoline
with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as ªregularº in
high altitude areas that are sold with octane
ratings of 86 or even less.
[SV08900( ALL)05/95]
one inch art:0060001-C[SV09200( ALL)02/96]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily
under most driving conditions on the
recommended octane fuel, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician to prevent any
engine damage.
[SV09355( ALL)02/96]
Fuel Quality
[SV09360( ALL)02/96]
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems try a different brand of fuel.
If the condition persists, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

236
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Comparisons With EPA Estimates
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EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions
and may not reflect the actual conditions you
experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that
you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
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The following decrease fuel economy:
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Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
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Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
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Driving with your foot on the brake
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Sudden stops
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Extended engine idling
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Using speed control in hilly terrain
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Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
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Underinflated tires
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Heavy loads
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Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
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Self-Service Pointers
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If you choose to do your own fueling, you
should also perform a few simple maintenance
routines. This extra effort will save you
additional money and contribute to the driving
efficiency of your vehicle.
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[SV13530( ALL)01/95]
The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
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Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
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Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

240 %
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[SV16900( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[SV17275( ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
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[SV17285( ALL)07/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
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Engine Coolant
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Checking the Engine Coolant
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NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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[SV17600( BCGV)10/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
%*
[SV17800( ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
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[SV17850( ALL)05/95]
The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996