1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD service

243
*
[SV19350( ALL)09/95]
Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an
optimized formula that will protect all metals and
rubber elastomers used in Ford engines for four
years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use
supplemental coolant additives in your gasoline
powered vehicle. These additives may harm your
engine cooling system. Follow the recommended
service interval for changing your engine coolant.
*
[SV19450( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
your engine coolant concentration
between 40%(-11ÊF [-24ÊC]) and 60%
(-62ÊF [-52ÊC]),depending on your local
climate conditions. Below 40% you will
lose freeze protection and above 60%
your engine may overheat on a warm
day.
[SV19460( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: The use of an improper coolant may
void your warranty for the engine
cooling system. Use only a premium
nationally recognized brand name
engine coolant. Do not use alcohol,
methanol antifreeze or engine coolant
mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. If you do not use the proper
coolant, the aluminum radiator on your
vehicle will corrode.
*
[SV19470( ALL)09/95]
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the
Ford Rotunda engine coolant recycling process
and chemicals. Use only Ford Rotunda recycled
engine coolant or an equivalent recycled engine
coolant that is certified by the supplier to meet
Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
%*
[SV19480( 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.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

244
*
[SV19500( ALL)09/95]
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid
E2FZ-19549-AA (in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B)
or an equivalent engine coolant that meets Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A.
*
[SV19550( ALL)09/95]
Leave the engine coolant in all year. Make sure
that the coolant will not freeze at the
temperature level in which you drive during
winter months. Keep a mixture of engine coolant
in your engine that has a protection rating of at
least-34ÊF (-37ÊC), orwhatever protection rating
is appropriate for the climate in which you live.
%*
[SV20100( ALL)08/95]
Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
*
[SV20200( ALL)11/94]
Proper procedures for a complete coolant drain
and flush of the cooling system can be found in
theCar Service Manual. Following these
recommended procedures will ensure that the
specified coolant level and a 50/50 or
appropriate mixture of coolant and water is
maintained.
*
[SV20300( ALL)08/95]
Engine Coolant Refill Procedure
*
[SV20400( ALL)01/95]
When the entire cooling system is drained and
refilled, the following procedure should be used
to ensure a complete fill:
*
[SV20450( ALL)05/95]
NOTE: It is imperative the following
procedure be adhered to. Failure to do
so could result in damage to your
engine.
[SV20500(MBC )03/95]
3.8L engine only
[SV20601(MBC )03/94]
q
Open the vent plug.
[SV20700(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove coolant recovery reservoir cap.
[SV20801(MBC )03/93]
q
Remove radiator pressure cap.
[SV20900(MBC )05/94]
q
With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50
mixture of recommended cooling system fluid
and water to the radiator until full, then add
to the reservoir until the reservoir is at the
FULL-HOT level.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

254 %
*
[SV28399( ALL)01/95]
Treadwear
*
[SV28400( ALL)01/95]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
*
[SV28499( ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
*
[SV28500( ALL)01/95]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
*
[SV28599( ALL)01/95]
Temperature A B C
*
[SV28600( ALL)01/95]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

280
%*
[SV52400( ALL)03/95]
Emission Control System
*
[SV52500( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic
converter which enables your vehicle to comply
with applicable exhaust emission requirements.
*
[SV52550( ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of
harmful and potentially lethal fumes into
the passenger compartment. Under
extreme conditions excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the fuel
system, the interior floor covering, or
other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
*
[SV52600( ALL)05/95]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the
other emission control parts continue to work
properly:
*
[SV52700( ALL)01/95]
q
Use only unleaded fuel.
*
[SV52800( ALL)01/95]
q
Avoid running out of fuel.
*
[SV52900( ALL)01/95]
q
Do not turn off the ignition while your
vehicle is moving, especially at high speeds.
*
[SV52950( ALL)01/95]
q
Do not push start your vehicle.
*
[SV53000( ALL)03/95]
q
Have the services listed in theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet performed
according to the specified schedule. The
scheduled maintenance services are required
because they are considered essential to the
life and performance of your vehicle and to
its emissions system.
*
[SV53075( ALL)03/95]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service
of the emissions control devices or systems in
your new Ford Motor Company vehicle or
engine may be performed at your expense by
any automotive repair establishment or
individual using automotive parts equivalent to
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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

282
*
[SV53500( ALL)02/92]
Never use a metal exhaust collector when you
service your vehicle. If the metal collector
contacts any of your vehicle's plastic trim or
bumper parts they could melt or deform.
*
[SV53600( ALL)01/95]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on
for more than five seconds after you shut it off
or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[SV53700( ALL)05/95]
Information about your vehicle's emission
control system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement
and gives some tune-up specifications.
%*
[SV53702( ALL)07/95]
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
Testing
*
[SV53715( ALL)07/95]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies a
ªneed for additional mixed city and highway
driving to complete the checkº of the OBD II
system. As soon as all of the OBD II system
checks are successfully completed, the OBD II
system is set to the ready condition. The amount
of driving required to reach the ready condition
varies with individual driving patterns. To
complete this requirement in the minimum
amount of time, refer to the OBD II Drive Cycle
defined below. If the vehicle owner cannot or
does not want to do the additional driving
required by law, a service center can perform
this drive cycle as it would any other type of
repair work.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

286 %
*
[SV54600( ALL)10/95]
Motorcraft Parts
[SV54850( BC )03/95]
fourteen pica chart:0010452-M[SV55000( ALL)09/94]
If a spark plug is removed for examination, it
must be reinstalled in the same cylinder.
[SV55025(MBC )05/94]
For 3.8L engines:
[SV55050(MBC )03/95]
Cylinders #1, #2, #3 have an EG suffix.
[SV55075(MBC )03/95]
Cylinders #4, #5, #6 have an E suffix.
[SV55100( ALL)05/95]
For 4.6L (2V) engines:
[SV55125( ALL)05/95]
Cylinders #1, #2, #3, #4 have a PG suffix.
[SV55150( ALL)05/95]
Cylinders #5, #6, #7, #8 have a P suffix.
[SV55200( ALL)03/95]
If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only
spark plugs with the service number suffix letter
as shown on the engine decal.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

308 Index
Autolamp system (see Headlamps)..... 84
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic overdrive..... 165
fluid, checking............ 256
fluid, refill capacities......... 285
fluid, specification........... 287
Axle, traction lok............ 170
B
Backing up............... 167
Basic vehicle warranty........... 3
Battery
acid, treating emergencies....... 185
charging system warning light...... 60
disconnecting............. 248
how to service............ 247
jumping a disabled battery....... 185
maintenance-free........... 247
proper disposal, recycling....... 247
replacement, specifications....... 286
voltage gauge.............. 69
when storing your vehicle....... 290
Brake fluid
brake warning light........... 57
specifications............. 287
Brakelamp
bulb replacement........... 279
high-mount brakelamp........ 277
Brakes
adjustment.............. 173
anti-lock............... 173
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light............. 58
applying the brakes.......... 173
brake warning light........... 57
fluid, checking and adding....... 258
fluid, refill capacities......... 259
fluid, specifications.......... 287
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996