1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD brake light

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

151
*
[GF05500( ALL)01/96]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
[GF05600( BCGV)12/95]
Speed Sensitive Power Steering
(If equipped)
[GF05800( BC )12/95]
The steering system in 4.6L engine vehicles is
speed sensitive. This means that the steering
effort is light for parking and heavier for
highway driving. However, if you have to
swerve around an object or another vehicle, your
steering will have full power assist.
%
*
[GF06500( ALL)12/95]
Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
[GF06600(MBC )12/95]
The gearshift lever is floor mounted.
*
[GF06700( BCGV)12/95]
The automatic overdrive transmission operates
very much like a regular automatic transmission,
except it offers the extra overdrive feature.
%*
[GF06800( ALL)05/96]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
*
[GF06900( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
[GF07100(MBC )04/96]
To move the shifter out of P (Park), the ignition
key must be turned to the ON position and the
shift lever thumb button must be pushed in.
*
[GF07200( ALL)12/95]
To operate:
*
[GF07300( ALL)12/95]
1. Start the engine.
*
[GF07400( ALL)12/95]
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[GF07500( ALL)12/95]
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
File:09rcgfb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:59:34 1996

161 %
*
[GF21600( ALL)05/96]
Connecting the trailer's brakes
*
[GF21700( ALL)05/96]
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or
surge-type hydraulic brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them according
to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that
your trailer's brakes meet local and federal
regulations.
*
[GF21900( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances
of having a collision greatly increase.
%*
[GF22000( ALL)05/96]
Connecting the trailer's lights
*
[GF22100( ALL)05/96]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's lighting system
wiring.To get the proper equipment for
hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to
follow their instructions carefully.
*
[GF22300( ALL)05/96]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting
system.
%*
[GF22400( ALL)05/96]
Driving While You Tow
*
[GF22500( ALL)05/96]
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.
[GF22800(MBC )12/95]
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
File:09rcgfb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:59:34 1996

175
*
[ER08200( ALL)03/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
*
[ER08300( ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ER08400( ALL)03/96]
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
*
[ER08500( ALL)01/96]
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
*
[ER08600( ALL)01/96]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
*
[ER08700( ALL)03/96]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
*
[ER08800( ALL)01/96]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
%
*
[ER09300( ALL)02/96]
Changing a Tire
*
[ER09400( ALL)02/96]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
%*
[ER09500( ALL)02/96]
The Temporary Spare Tire
[ER09700(MBC )02/96]
You have a high pressure temporary spare tire.
This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire and
is designed for emergency use only. Use it only
when you get a flat tire and replace it as soon
as you can. This spare tire is marked with the
words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that you
can easily identify it.
File:10rcerb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:01:08 1996

187
*
[ER21000( ALL)02/96]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[ER21100( ALL)02/96]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
*
[ER21200( ALL)02/96]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.
Turning on the fan helps protect the
electrical system from voltage surges. Turn
off all other switches and lights in both
vehicles to prevent possible damage to either
vehicle's electrical systems.
%*
[ER21300( ALL)02/96]
Connecting the jumper cables
*
[ER21400( ALL)02/96]
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you
use the same cable for both positive
terminals.) Most jumper cables have a red
cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and
the black for the negative ones.
*
[ER21500( ALL)02/96]
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
File:10rcerb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:01:08 1996

202 %
*
[MC06500( ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[MC06600( ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[MC06700( ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[MC06800( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC06900( BCGV)01/96]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[MC07100( ALL)01/96]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[MC07200( ALL)01/96]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[MC07300( ALL)01/96]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[MC07400( BC )03/96]
one inch art:0011218-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 4.6 liter engines
[MC07600(MBC )12/95]
one inch art:0000970-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 3.8 liter engines
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996