Page 225 of 321
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1996 10.G Owners Manual 223
Servicing Your Thunderbird
%*
[SV00300( ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
*
[SV00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[SV00550( ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts th FORD THUNDERBIRD 1996 10.G Owners Manual 223
Servicing Your Thunderbird
%*
[SV00300( ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
*
[SV00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[SV00550( ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts th](/manual-img/11/5382/w960_5382-224.png)
223
Servicing Your Thunderbird
%*
[SV00300( ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
*
[SV00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[SV00550( ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
*
[SV00600( ALL)01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
*
[SV00700( ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*
[SV00800( ALL)01/95]
q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
*
[SV00900( ALL)05/94]
q
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.
*
[SV01000( ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
*
[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.
*
[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
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996
Page 276 of 321
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1996 10.G Owners Manual 274
*
[SV43300( ALL)08/95]
If you replace a circuit breaker, use one with the
same amperage rating. To remove a circuit
breaker mounted in the fuse panel, grip it with
your finger and thumb and pull i FORD THUNDERBIRD 1996 10.G Owners Manual 274
*
[SV43300( ALL)08/95]
If you replace a circuit breaker, use one with the
same amperage rating. To remove a circuit
breaker mounted in the fuse panel, grip it with
your finger and thumb and pull i](/manual-img/11/5382/w960_5382-275.png)
274
*
[SV43300( ALL)08/95]
If you replace a circuit breaker, use one with the
same amperage rating. To remove a circuit
breaker mounted in the fuse panel, grip it with
your finger and thumb and pull it straight out
of its socket.
%
*
[SV44400( ALL)03/95]
Lights and Bulb Replacement
*
[SV44500( ALL)01/95]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:
*
[SV44600( ALL)01/95]
q
headlamps
*
[SV44700( ALL)01/95]
q
tail lamps
*
[SV44800( ALL)01/95]
q
brakelamps
*
[SV44900( ALL)01/95]
q
hazard flasher
*
[SV44950( ALL)02/95]
q
high-mount brakelamp
*
[SV45000( ALL)01/95]
q
turn signals
*
[SV45200( ALL)01/95]
q
license plate lamp
%*
[SV45600( ALL)01/95]
The alignment of your headlamps should be
checked if:
*
[SV45700( ALL)01/95]
q
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to
turn off your vehicle's high beams when you
do not have the high beams on
*
[SV45800( ALL)01/95]
q
the headlamps do not seem to give you
enough light to see clearly at night
*
[SV45900( ALL)01/95]
q
the headlamp beams are pointed substantially
away from a position slightly down and to
the right
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996
Page 277 of 321
275 %
*
[SV46000( ALL)03/95]
Headlamp Bulb
*
[SV46100( ALL)01/95]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable
bulbs. When the lamp burns out, simply replace
the bulb, rather than the whole lamp.
*
[SV46200( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children's reach. Grasp
the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your
hand could cause the bulb to break the
next time the headlamps are operated.
*
[SV46300( ALL)01/95]
Do not remove the burned-out bulb unless you
can immediately replace it with a new one. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the headlamp housing
and affect its performance.
[SV46400( BC )07/93]
half page art:0010431-A
Parts of a headlamp
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996
Page 278 of 321
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1996 10.G Owners Manual 276
*
[SV46600( ALL)03/95]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[SV46700( ALL)01/95]
1. Make sure that the headlamp switch is in
the OFF position.
*
[SV46800( BC )02/95]
2. Lift the hood and find the bulb in FORD THUNDERBIRD 1996 10.G Owners Manual 276
*
[SV46600( ALL)03/95]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[SV46700( ALL)01/95]
1. Make sure that the headlamp switch is in
the OFF position.
*
[SV46800( BC )02/95]
2. Lift the hood and find the bulb in](/manual-img/11/5382/w960_5382-277.png)
276
*
[SV46600( ALL)03/95]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[SV46700( ALL)01/95]
1. Make sure that the headlamp switch is in
the OFF position.
*
[SV46800( BC )02/95]
2. Lift the hood and find the bulb in the
headlamp socket.
*
[SV46900( BC )01/95]
3. Remove the electrical connector from the
bulb by grasping the wire with a quick pull
rearward.
*
[SV47100( BC )01/95]
4. Remove the retaining ring by turning it 1/8
of a turn to free it from the socket. Then
slide the ring off the plastic base.Keep the
ring.You must use it again to hold the new
bulb in place.
*
[SV47400( ALL)03/95]
Installing the headlamp bulb
*
[SV47600(MBC )02/95]
1. With the flat side of the bulb's plastic base
facing upward, insert the glass end of the
bulb into the socket. You may need to turn
the bulb left or right to line up the grooves
in the plastic base with the tabs in the
socket. When the grooves are aligned, push
the bulb into the socket until the plastic base
contacts the rear of the socket.
*
[SV47800(MBC )08/95]
2. Slip the bulb retaining ring over the plastic
base until it contacts the rear of the socket.
Lock the ring into the socket by rotating it
clockwise until you feel a ªstop.º
*
[SV47900( ALL)02/95]
3. Push the electrical connector into the rear of
the plastic base until it snaps, locking it into
position.
*
[SV48000(MBC )02/95]
4. Turn the headlamps on and make sure that
they work properly. If the headlamp was
correctly aligned before you changed the
bulb, you should not need to align it again.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996
Page 279 of 321
277 %
*
[SV48370( BCGV)02/95]
High-Mount Brakelamp Bulbs
[SV48380( BCGV)06/94]
Your vehicle has a brakelamp mounted in the
rear window, called a high-mount brakelamp.
You may need to remove this lamp at times to
replace the brakelamp bulb or to clean the rear
window.
[SV48500( B )03/92]
half page art:0010434-A
Parts of the high-mount brakelamp
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996
Page 280 of 321
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
Page 281 of 321
279 %
*
[SV51600( ALL)10/92]
Using the Right Bulbs
[SV51900( BC )03/95]
thirty-four pica chart:0010440-HFile:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996
Page 305 of 321

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