1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD windshield wipers

45
Starting Your Thunderbird
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[ST03400( ALL)03/95]
Ignition
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[ST03500( ALL)01/95]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[ST03750( ALL)12/94]
quarter page art:0010035-B
The positions of the key in the ignition
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[ST03901( BCGV)03/95]
ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is
not running.
% [ST04001( ALL)12/94]
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
automatic transmission gearshift lever.
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[ST04101( ALL)01/95]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
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[ST04200( ALL)03/95]
OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transmission gearshift lever.
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[ST04300( ALL)03/95]
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. The key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
File:rcstb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:52:09 1996

91
Steering Column Controls
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[SC00200( ALL)01/95]
The controls on the steering column and wheel
are designed to give you easy access to the
controls while you are driving.
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The Turn Signal Lever
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You can use the turn signal lever on the left side
of the steering column to:
[SC00500( ALL)03/95]
q
operate the turn signals
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q
turn the high beams on/off
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[SC00700( ALL)01/95]
q
flash the lights
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[SC00800( ALL)01/95]
q
turn the windshield wipers and washer
on/off
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The turn signal lever
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Turn Signals
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Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move
it down to signal a left turn. The corresponding
indicator light in the instrument cluster will
flash.
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Update:Mon Feb 19 10:50:25 1996

92
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If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move
the lever back to the center (off) position.
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For lane changes, move the lever far enough to
signal but not to latch. The lever will return to
the off position when you release it.
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[SC02700( ALL)03/95]
High Beams
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[SC02800( ALL)05/95]
To turn on the high beams, turn the headlamp
control knob to the headlamp ON position and
push the turn signal lever away from you until
it latches. When the high beams are ON, the
high beam indicator light on the instrument
panel comes on.
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[SC02900( ALL)03/95]
To turn off the high beams, pull the lever
toward you until it latches. The high beam
indicator light turns off.
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[SC02950( B )01/95]
NOTE: When the headlamps are on low beam,
the outer two headlamps are on. When
the headlamps are on high beam, the
two outer headlamps will turn off and
the inner headlamps turn on.
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[SC03200( ALL)05/95]
Flashing the Lights
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[SC03300( ALL)05/95]
To flash the headlamps, pull the lever toward
you for a moment and then release it. The
headlamps will flash whether the headlamp
knob is in the on or off position.
%
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[SC03500( ALL)03/95]
Windshield Wipers and Washer
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[SC03600( ALL)03/95]
To turn on the windshield wipers, the ignition
key must be turned to the ON or ACC position.
[SC03750( ALL)01/95]
Rotate the end of the lever away from you to
activate the wipers. The first seven detents are
interval wipe positions, the eighth detent is the
LO position and the ninth detent is the HI
position.
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[SC03800( ALL)01/95]
To turn the wipers off, turn the knob toward
you to the OFF position.
File:rcscb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:50:25 1996

93 %
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Variable Interval Wipers
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[SC04205( ALL)01/95]
In addition to two speed wipers, your vehicle
has wipers that you can set to operate at
varying intervals. For example, you can set the
interval so they wipe less often when it drizzles
or more often in heavier rain.
[SC04700( ALL)02/95]
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The variable interval wiper on the turn signal lever
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[SC04900( ALL)03/94]
To set the interval wipers, turn the knob at the
end of the turn signal lever toward or away
from you until the wipers are going at the
desired interval.
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[SC05300( ALL)04/95]
Windshield Washer
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[SC05401( ALL)01/95]
To clean the windshield, push in the end of the
wiper knob. For a constant spray, keep the knob
pushed in. After you release the knob, the
wipers operate for two to three cycles before
turning off (if the wipers were OFF) or
returning to HI, LO, or the interval setting
selected.
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[SC05500( ALL)03/95]
If the washer does not work, check the washer
fluid level and fill it if it is low. See theServicing
Your Thunderbirdchapter. If there is enough
fluid, consult your nearest Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
File:rcscb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:50:25 1996

94
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Do not try to clean the windshield when the
washer fluid container is empty or activate the
washers at any time for more than 15 seconds
continuously. This could damage the washer
pump system.
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[SC05700( ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
In freezing weather, the washer solution
may freeze on the windshield and obscure
your vision. Always warm up the
windshield with the defroster before you
use the washer fluid. If you cannot see
through the windshield clearly, it can
increase the risk of being involved in a
collision.
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[SC05800( ALL)04/95]
For information about refilling the washer fluid
or replacing your windshield wiper blades, see
Windshield washer fluid and Wipersin the Index.
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Hazard Flasher
[SC05820( ALL)05/95]
To alert other drivers to hazardous situations,
push in the hazard flasher on the top of the
steering column. The same switch turns the
flashers off.
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[SC05830( ALL)03/95]
The flashers work whether your vehicle is
running or not. The flashers work for up to two
hours when the battery is fully charged and in
good condition without draining the battery
excessively. If the flashers run for longer than
two hours or if the battery is not fully charged,
the battery can be drained.
File:rcscb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:50:25 1996

248battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or
install a new battery, you must allow the
computer to ªrelearnº its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To let the
engine do this, put the gearshift in P (Park), turn
off all the accessories, and start the vehicle. Let
the engine idle for at least one minute. (Engine
must be warm in order to ªlearn.º) Also, allow
approximately 10 miles (16 km) of stop and go
traffic for your vehicle's engine to completely
ªrelearnº its idle.
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[SV22200( ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and
Wipers
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[SV22250( ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
[SV22300( ALL)12/94]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
periodically, or when the optional lamp indicates
low fluid. The reservoir for washer fluid is
located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment. Visual inspection can determine if
the washer fluid is adequate. Do not operate the
washer when the reservoir is empty.
[SV23000( BC )12/91]
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The reservoir for the windshield washer fluid
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

249
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RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
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Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
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[SV23600( ALL)03/95]
Wiper Blades
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[SV23700( ALL)03/95]
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice
a year. Also check them whenever they seem
less effective than usual. Substances such as tree
sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness
of wiper blades.
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[SV23800( ALL)09/95]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both
the windshield and the wiper blades. Use
undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do
not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean your wiper blades. These will
damage your blades.
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[SV23900( ALL)03/95]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply
turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn
your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to the OFF
position. Do not move the wipers manually.
Manually moving the wipers across the
windshield may damage them.
File:rcsvb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:46:54 1996

Index 323
Vehicle loading
automatic transmissions........ 179
calculating the load.......... 179
Vehicle storage............. 288
Ventilating your vehicle
(see Climate control)........ 76,80
Viscosity (see Engine oil)........ 237
Visor (see Sun visor).......... 126
W
Warm engine, starting........... 48
Warning chimes
key in ignition............. 46
safety belt............... 59
Warranties, radio............ 164
Warranty Information Booklet....... 3
Washer fluid
reservoir............... 248
warning light.............. 72
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR)...... 178
Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts.......... 200
cleaning............... 256
covers................ 198
inspection and maintenance...... 250
ornaments.............. 198
Windows
power windows, operating...... 114
rear, defrosting............. 81
Windshield washer fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid....... 248
checking and replacing wiper blades . . 249
low washer fluid light.......... 72
operation............... 92
reservoir............... 248
specifications............. 249
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu Feb 15 12:06:08 1996