1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD brakes

6
%*
[II03400( ALL)01/96]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
*
[II03500( ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[II03600( ALL)01/96]
q
Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehicle
has new brake linings, you should take these
steps:
*
[II03700( ALL)01/96]
Ð Watch traffic carefully so that you can
anticipate when to stop.
*
[II03800( ALL)01/96]
Ð Begin braking well in advance.
*
[II03900( ALL)01/96]
Ð Apply the brakes gradually.
*
[II04000( ALL)01/96]
The break-in period for new brake linings
lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or
1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.
%*
[II04100( ALL)03/96]
q
Use only the type of engine oil that Ford
recommends.SeeEngine oil recommendations
in the Index. Do not use special ªbreak-inº
oils.
*
[II04200( ALL)03/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Powertrain Control Module that limits engine
and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to
promote durability.
File:02rciib.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:53:51 1996

10
%*
[IS01700( BCGV)01/96]
The Mechanical Cluster
*
[IS02000( BCGV)01/96]
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.
%*
[IS02600( ALL)01/96]
Brake System Warning Light
*
[IS02700( ALL)03/96]
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.
[IS02800( BC )04/96]
one inch art:0000108-E
The brake system warning light
[IS03100( ALL)12/95]
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.
*
[IS03200( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
File:03rcisb.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:35:00 1996

17 [IS12200(MBC )04/96]
This light is used when you set the anti-theft
alarm system. SeeAnti-Theft Systemin the
Controls and Featureschapter for more
information.
%*
[IS12300( ALL)03/96]
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
*
[IS12400( ALL)03/96]
The turn signal arrow will flash to indicate the
direction in which you are going to be turning.
[IS12500( ALL)04/96]
one inch art:0010525-A
The turn signal indicator light
%*
[IS12601( BC )03/96]
Cruise Control Indicator Light
[IS12701( BC )03/96]
This light comes on when the cruise control
system is actively maintaining the set speed. It
will go off when the brakes are used or if the
cruise control is turned off.
[IS12801( BC )05/96]
one inch art:0011390-A
The cruise control indicator light
[IS12901( BC )03/96]
This light does not indicate any problems but is
only a convenience to tell when the cruise
control is active.
File:03rcisb.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 14:35:00 1996

145
Driving
%*
[GF00500( ALL)05/96]
Brakes
%*
[GF00600( ALL)01/96]
Applying the Brakes
[GF00700( ALL)12/95]
Braking non ABS models
[GF00900( B )12/95]
Your vehicle has standard power front disc
brakes and rear drum brakes, (anti-lock disc
brakes on all four wheels are optional). They
adjust automatically as the brake pads or linings
wear down.
*
[GF01200( ALL)01/96]
Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
[GF01300( ALL)12/95]
On vehicles without anti-lock brakes, extreme
braking can make the wheels lock and slide,
possibly decreasing your control of the steering.
If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal
and repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
[GF01400( ALL)12/95]
Braking with ABS brakes
[GF01500( ALL)12/95]
On vehicles with anti-lock brakes, the wheels
will not lock and slide when you press down
hard on the brake pedal. The anti-lock brakes
automatically start releasing and reapplying the
front brakes independently and the rear brakes
together whenever your wheels start to lock. Do
not ªpumpº the brake pedal on vehicles
equipped with anti-lock brakes. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulse.
This ªpulseº may be an unfamiliar feeling but it
is normal and indicates the ABS is working as
designed.
File:09rcgfb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:59:34 1996

146
*
[GF01600( ALL)01/96]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
*
[GF01700( ALL)02/96]
NOTE: If you are driving down a long or
steep hill, shift to a lower gear and do
not apply your brakes continuously. If
you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less
effective.
%*
[GF01800( ALL)01/96]
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes louder or more frequent, have your
brakes inspected by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
[GF01900( ALL)12/95]
Ford Motor Company has not found any
detrimental effects of popular mobile radio
transmitting equipment installed on vehicles
with the anti-lock brake system, if the equipment
is installed according to the manufacturer's
instructions. However, if mobile radio
transmitting equipment is installed in your
vehicle and, if either the anti-lock brake system
cycles or the check anti-lock light comes on at
any time other than right after you turn the key
to ON or during a sudden stop, have your
mobile radio dealer inspect the installation.
%*
[GF02000( ALL)01/96]
Parking Brake
*
[GF02100( ALL)03/96]
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
[GF02300( BCGV)12/95]
The parking brake pedal is suspended just below
the bottom of the instrument panel to the left of
the brake pedal.
File:09rcgfb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:59:34 1996

147 [GF02500( BC )12/95]
To set the parking brake while parking your
vehicle, apply the brake pedal with your right
foot and hold it while you push the parking
brake down firmly with your left foot. The brake
system warning light will glow.
[GF02800( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0010315-A
The parking brake
*
[GF03100( BCGV)05/96]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you
leave your vehicle.
[GF03300( BC )12/95]
To release the parking brake, press down on the
pedal until you hear a click. Lift your foot off
the pedal. The brake is now released and will
reset to lock the next time you press the pedal,
located below the lower left corner of the
instrument panel. The Brake System Warning
Light will glow if the parking brake is not fully
released when the engine is running.
*
[GF03600( ALL)01/96]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
File:09rcgfb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:59:34 1996

148
*
[GF03700( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
[GF03800( ALL)12/95]
The parking brake system is designed for static
parking only and is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
% [GF03900( ALL)12/95]Traction-Lok Axle (If equipped)
[GF04000( ALL)12/95]
This axle provides added traction on slippery
surfaces, particularly when one wheel is on a
poor traction surface. Under normal conditions
the Traction-Lok axle functions as a standard
rear axle.
*
[GF04100( ALL)03/96]
Extended use of other than matching size tires
on a Traction-Lok rear axle could result in a
permanent reduction in effectiveness. This loss of
effectiveness does not affect normal driving and
should not be noticeable to the driver.
*
[GF04200( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
File:09rcgfb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:59:34 1996

149
%*
[GF04300( BCGV)03/96]
Traction Assist
TM
(If equipped)
*
[GF04400( BCGV)03/96]
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Assist
TM
system. This system helps
prevent wheel spin in order to improve tire
traction and is an especially useful feature when
you drive in hilly areas or on slippery, icy or
snowy roads.
[GF04500( BCGV)05/96]
Traction Assist
TM
works automatically by rapidly
applying and releasing the brakes to prevent one
or both of the rear drive wheels from spinning
during acceleration.
[GF04600( BC )04/96]
The Traction Assist
TM
system can be manually
turned off, to allow wheelspin if you want, by
pushing the traction assist switch (located in the
console). When the vehicle is not in the Traction
Assist
TM
mode the ªT/A OFFº indicator light
(located on the cluster) will illuminate to indicate
the system is off. The Traction Assist
TM
system
will automatically be on each time the engine is
started. During ordinary driving, it is
recommended to leave the system turned on.
The Traction Assist
TM
system will then always be
ready to operate when needed.
[GF04700( BC )12/95]
one quarter page art:0011288-B
The Traction Assist
TM
Switch
File:09rcgfb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:59:34 1996