1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD service

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[PI00425( ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information ...............................1
Safety Restraints ..............................................7
Starting Your Thunderbird .........................45
Warning Lights and Gauges .......................55
Instrument Panel Controls ..........................73
Steering Column Controls ..........................91
Features ..........................................................101
Electronic Sound Systems .........................131
Driving Your Thunderbird .......................165
Roadside Emergencies ................................185
Customer Assistance ...................................203
Reporting Safety Defects ......................211
Accessories ....................................................215
Servicing Your Thunderbird ......................223
Quick Index ..................................................297
Index ...............................................................307
Service Station Information ......................324
File:rcpib.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:48 1996

1
Introductory Information
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[IN00300( ALL)04/95]
Ford's Commitment to You
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[IN00500( ALL)04/95]
Our Guiding Principles
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[IN00600( ALL)04/95]
q
Quality comes first.For your satisfaction, the
quality of our products and services must be
our number one priority.
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[IN00700( ALL)04/95]
q
You are the focus of everything we do.Our
work must be done with you in mind,
providing better products and services than
our competition.
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[IN00750( ALL)04/95]
q
Continuous improvement is essential to our
success.We must strive for excellence in
everything we do: in our products Ð in their
safety and value Ð and in our services, our
human relations, our competitiveness, and
our profitability.
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[IN00800( ALL)04/95]
q
Employee involvement is our way of life.
We are a team. We must treat one another
with trust and respect.
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[IN00900( ALL)04/95]
q
Dealers and suppliers are our partners.We
must maintain mutually beneficial
relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our
other business associates.
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[IN01000( ALL)04/95]
q
Integrity is never compromised.Our conduct
worldwide must be pursued in a manner that
is socially responsible and commands respect
for its integrity and for its positive
contributions to society.
File:rcinb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:37 1996

3
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[IN01700( ALL)05/95]
TheQuick Indexat the end of the book
provides a page number following each item
which indicates where detailed information can
be found.
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[IN01900( ALL)04/95]
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book
and search in the alphabetical listing for the
word that best describes the information you
need. If the word you chose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We
have designed the Index so that you can find
information under a technical term.
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[IN02000( ALL)04/95]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
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[IN02100( ALL)04/95]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
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[IN02400( ALL)04/95]
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
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[IN02500( ALL)03/95]
TheMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet lists
the services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
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[IN02600( ALL)01/95]
About the Warranties
[IN02700( ALL)12/94]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of
warranties:Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended
Warrantieson certain parts, andEmissions
Warranties.
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[IN03100( ALL)03/95]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
File:rcinb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:37 1996

4
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[IN03250( ALL)03/95]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this owner guide.
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[IN04000( ALL)01/95]
Buying a Ford Extended Service Plan
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[IN04100( ALL)01/94]
If you bought your vehicle in the U.S., you can
buy a Ford Extended Service Plan for your
vehicle. This optional contract provides service
protection for a longer period of time than the
basic warranty that comes with your vehicle.
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[IN04200( ALL)01/95]
You do not have to buy this option when you
buy your vehicle. However, your option to
purchase the Ford Extended Service Plan runs
out after 18 months or 18,000 miles. See your
dealer for more details about the Ford Extended
Service Plan.
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[IN04250( ALL)01/95]
If you purchased a Canadian vehicle and did not
take advantage of the Ford Extended Service
Plan at the time of purchase, you may still be
eligible. See your dealer for the details.
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[IN06000( ALL)01/95]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
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[IN06100( ALL)03/95]
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in
period, you need to pay careful attention to how
you drive your vehicle.
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[IN06300( ALL)01/95]
q
Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehicle
has new brake linings, you should take these
steps:
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[IN06400( ALL)01/95]
Ð Watch traffic carefully so that you can
anticipate when to stop.
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[IN06500( ALL)01/95]
Ð Begin braking well in advance.
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[IN06600( ALL)01/95]
Ð Apply the brakes gradually.
File:rcinb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:37 1996

25 %
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[SR22220( ALL)05/95]
A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
[SR22225( ALL)05/95]
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
or
[SR22230( ALL)05/95]
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it will not light immediately after the ignition
is turned on, or
[SR22240( ALL)05/95]
q
a group of five beeps will be heard.
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[SR22250( ALL)05/95]
If any of these things happen, have the air bag
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the air bag
supplemental restraint system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
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[SR22260( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not attempt to service, repair, or
modify the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System or its fuses. See your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[SR22300( ALL)05/95]
Disposal of air bags or air bag equipped
vehicles
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[SR22400( ALL)05/95]
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped
vehicles, see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer. Air bagsMUSTbe disposed of by
qualified personnel.
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[SR23500( ALL)05/95]
Safety Restraints for Children
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[SR23600( ALL)02/95]
In the U.S. and Canada, you are required by law
to use safety restraints for children. If small
children ride in your vehicle Ð this generally
includes children who are four years old or
younger and who weigh 40 pounds (18 kg) or
less Ð you must put them in safety seats that
are made specially for children. Safety belts
alone do not provide maximum protection for
these children. Check your local and state laws
for specific requirements.
File:rcsrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:31 1996

52
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[ST13500( ALL)01/95]
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:
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[ST13600( ALL)02/95]
q
your vehicle is raised for service
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[ST13700( ALL)02/95]
q
the sound of the exhaust system changes
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[ST13800( ALL)01/95]
q
your vehicle has been damaged in a collision
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[ST13900( ALL)01/95]
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet
vents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.
[ST14000( ALL)12/94]
If the engine is idling while you are stopped in
an open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least one inch (2.5 cm). Also, the
heating or air conditioning system should be set
to any function except MAX A/C or AUTO.
[ST14125( BCGV)05/94]
q
If you use the heater, set the fan speed on
MEDIUM or HIGH with the function control
on any position except OFF and the
temperature control at any desired position.
[ST14250( BCGV)12/88]
q
If you use the air conditioner, set the fan
speed on MEDIUM or HIGH with the
function control on any position except OFF
or MAX and the temperature control at any
desired position.
File:rcstb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:52:09 1996

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[ST17100( ALL)03/95]
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
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[ST17110( ALL)04/95]
Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
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[ST17200( ALL)03/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or does
not start after a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device intended to stop the fuel
pump when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
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[ST17400( BCGV)01/95]
Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle. The switch is on the left side of the
trunk.
[ST17700( BC )05/94]
one third page art:0010013-E
The fuel pump shut-off switch
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[ST18700( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. Have
all the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.
File:rcstb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:52:09 1996

57
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[LG02700( BCGV)06/94]
The Mechanical Cluster
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[LG02800( BCGV)06/93]
The following warning lights and gauges are on
the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.
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[LG02900( ALL)03/95]
Brake System Warning Light
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[LG03000( ALL)03/95]
The warning light for the brakes can show two
things Ð that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in
the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is
low, the brake system should be checked by a
qualified service technician.
[LG03025( BC )07/93]
one inch art:0010116-D[LG03100( ALL)01/95]
This light comes on when the parking brake is
set, or if it is not set, it comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition key to START. It normally
goes off shortly after the engine starts and you
release the parking brake. If the light stays on
after you have fully released the parking brake,
have the hydraulic brake system serviced.
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[LG03200( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
File:rclgb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:51:57 1996