1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD checking oil

70 [LG16550( BC )05/95]
one third page art:0011146-BEngine oil pressure gauge
*
[LG16600( ALL)03/95]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
*
[LG16700( ALL)01/95]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[LG16800( ALL)04/95]
2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe
engine damage could result.
[LG16900( ALL)05/94]
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine
oil, see theEngine Oilin the Index. If you do
not follow these instructions, you or others
could be injured. To assure an accurate
reading, your car should be on level ground.
[LG17000( ALL)05/94]
4. If the level is low, add oil as necessary
before you start the engine again. Do not
overfill. Do not operate the engine if the
pointer is below the NORMAL band,
regardless of the oil level. Contact your
nearest dealer for further service actions.
[LG17200( ALL)05/94]
For more information about adding oil, see
Engine Oil Recommendationsin the Index.
File:rclgb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:57 1996

238 %
*
[SV13775( ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[SV13800( ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[SV13900( ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000( ALL)02/95]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
*
[SV14025( BCGV)03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[SV14100( ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[SV14200( ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[SV14300( ALL)01/95]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14350( BC )10/95]
one inch art:0011218-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 4.6 liter engines
[SV14450(MBC )03/95]
one inch art:0000970-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 3.8 liter engines
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

240 %
*
[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.
*
[SV17275( ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[SV17285( ALL)07/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
%
*
[SV17300( ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
%*
[SV17400( ALL)09/95]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[SV17500( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[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.
*
[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

256
*
[SV29400( ALL)10/94]
q
Avoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
*
[SV29500( ALL)05/94]
q
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
%*
[SV29600( ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV29700( ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
*
[SV29800( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
%
*
[SV30450( ALL)01/95]
Automatic Transmission Fluid
*
[SV30475( ALL)01/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transmission, since
your vehicle does not use up transmission fluid.
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for replacement intervals. However, if
the transmission is not working properly Ð for
instance, the transmission may slip or shift
slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid
leakage Ð the fluid level should be checked.
%*
[SV30550( ALL)02/95]
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid
*
[SV30560( ALL)05/95]
It is preferable to check the transmission fluid
level at normal operating temperature
150ÊF-170ÊF (66ÊC-77ÊC),after approximately 20
miles (30 km) of driving. However, if necessary,
you can check the fluid level without having to
drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal
operating temperature if outside temperatures
are above50ÊF (10ÊC).
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

312 Index
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 174
Emission control system,
catalytic converter........... 280
Engine
check engine warning light....... 63
does not start.............. 49
fuel injected engine, starting....... 47
fuel pump shut-off switch........ 53
preparing to start............ 47
service points............. 227
starting................. 48
starting after a collision......... 53
storing your vehicle.......... 289
Engine block heater............ 50
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 240
checking hoses............ 241
disposal............... 243
low coolant warning light........ 72
preparing for storage......... 290
proper solution............ 242
recovery reservoir........... 240
refill capacities............ 285
specifications............. 287
Engine coolant temperature gauge
description............... 66
mechanical............... 66
Engine fan............... 224
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter....... 239
checking and adding......... 238
dipstick............... 238
disposal............... 240
engine oil pressure gauge........ 69
filter, specifications.......... 286
refill capacities............ 285
specifications............. 287
synthetic oil............. 237
ªbreak-inº oils............. 5
viscosity............... 237
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996

314 Index
Fuses
charts................ 266
checking and replacing........ 272
circuit breakers............ 273
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap).......... 230
Gasoline (see Fuel)............ 231
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature gauge.... 66
engine oil pressure gauge........ 69
fuel gauge............... 65
multi-gauge.............. 62
odometer................ 67
speedometer.............. 67
tachometer............... 68
trip odometer.............. 68
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 179
definition............... 178
location............... 178
Gearshift
automatic operation.......... 165
console-mounted........... 167
positions............... 165
shift-lock............... 166
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 179
definition............... 178
location............... 178
H
Hazard flashers.............. 94
Headlamps
autolamp system............ 84
bulb specification........... 279
checking alignment.......... 274
cleaning................ 84
daytime running lights......... 82
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 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

322 Index
Traction assist.............. 170
Traction-lok rear axle.......... 170
Trailer towing
calculating maximum trailer
weight............... 180
safety chains............. 182
tips................. 184
trailer brakes............. 183
trailer lamps............. 183
Transmission
automatic operation.......... 165
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)............. 256
fluid, refill capacities......... 285
lubricant specifications......... 287
Transmission control switch....... 167
Transmitter (see Remote entry)...... 111
Trip odometer............... 68
Trunk
remote release lever.......... 129
using the keys to open........ 129
using the remote entry system to open . 111
Tune-up specifications (VECI)....... 282
Turn signal
indicator lights............. 65
lever.................. 91
U
Used engine oil, disposal......... 240
V
Vanity mirror.............. 126
Variable interval wipers.......... 93
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information)
decal................. 282
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 206
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996