1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD service schedule

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

184 %
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[DR22600( ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
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[DR22650( ALL)01/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR22950(MBC )09/93]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, depress the
Transmission Control Switch (TCS). This will
also give the engine more power going up hills
and better engine braking going down hills.
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[DR23000( ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
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[DR23100( ALL)01/95]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
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[DR23200( ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
File:rcdrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:48:37 1996

223
Servicing Your Thunderbird
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[SV00300( ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
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[SV00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[SV00550( ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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[SV00600( ALL)01/95]
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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[SV00800( ALL)01/95]
q
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]
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.
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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
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

236
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[SV12300( ALL)05/95]
Comparisons With EPA Estimates
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[SV12400( ALL)05/95]
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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[SV12650( ALL)05/95]
The following decrease fuel economy:
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[SV12700( ALL)05/95]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
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[SV12800( ALL)05/95]
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
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[SV12850( ALL)05/95]
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
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[SV12900( ALL)05/95]
q
Sudden stops
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[SV12950( ALL)05/95]
q
Extended engine idling
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[SV13000( ALL)05/95]
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
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[SV13100( ALL)05/95]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
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[SV13200( ALL)05/95]
q
Underinflated tires
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[SV13300( ALL)05/95]
q
Heavy loads
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[SV13400( ALL)05/95]
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
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[SV13510( ALL)02/95]
Self-Service Pointers
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[SV13520( ALL)01/95]
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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[SV13540( ALL)01/95]
q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
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[SV13550( ALL)01/95]
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
File:rcsvb.ex
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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[SV17300( ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
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[SV17400( ALL)09/95]
Checking the Engine Coolant
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[SV17500( ALL)09/95]
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.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

280
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[SV52400( ALL)03/95]
Emission Control System
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[SV52500( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic
converter which enables your vehicle to comply
with applicable exhaust emission requirements.
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[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.
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[SV52600( ALL)05/95]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the
other emission control parts continue to work
properly:
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[SV52700( ALL)01/95]
q
Use only unleaded fuel.
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[SV52800( ALL)01/95]
q
Avoid running out of fuel.
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[SV52900( ALL)01/95]
q
Do not turn off the ignition while your
vehicle is moving, especially at high speeds.
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[SV52950( ALL)01/95]
q
Do not push start your vehicle.
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[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.
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[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
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996