Page 235 of 301
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 235
*
[MC37600( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can s FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 235
*
[MC37600( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can s](/manual-img/11/5383/w960_5383-234.png)
235
*
[MC37600( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
*
[MC37700( ALL)01/96]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
*
[MC37800( ALL)01/96]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[MC37900( ALL)01/96]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
*
[MC38000( ALL)08/95]
Never use a metal exhaust collector when you
service your vehicle. If the metal collector
contacts any of your vehicle's plastic trim or
bumper parts they could melt or deform.
*
[MC38100( ALL)01/96]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on
for more than five seconds after you shut it off
or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[MC38200( ALL)01/96]
Information about your vehicle's emission
control system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement
and gives some tune-up specifications.
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Page 246 of 301
246
*
[MC52200( BCGV)04/96]
q
The alternator, distributor and air intake must
be covered. Covering these components will
help prevent water damage.
*
[MC52300( ALL)01/96]
q
Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running. Water getting into the engine may
cause internal damage.
%*
[MC52400( ALL)03/96]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[MC52500( ALL)03/96]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
*
[MC52600( ALL)03/96]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
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Page 280 of 301

Index 287
Index
A
ABS warning light
(see Anti-lock brake system)....... 11
Accessory position on the ignition..... 72
Additives, engine oil.......... 201
Air bag supplemental restraint system . . 114
and child safety seats......... 120
description.............. 114
driver air bag............ 114
indicator light............. 13
operation.............. 116
passenger air bag........... 117
service and information labels..... 116
tone generator............ 118
Air cleaner filter
location............... 198
specifications............. 247
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system......... 59
semi-automatic temperature
control system............ 62
Alarm, activating remote personal..... 97
Antenna, radio (see Electronic
sound system)............. 25
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)...... 207
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description.............. 145
see also Brake............ 145
warning light.............. 11
Anti-theft lug nuts and key....... 184
Anti-theft system
arming the system........... 93
description............... 92
disarming an untriggered system..... 94
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292 Index
Cooling fan............... 196
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.) . . 257
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........257, 263
D
Daytime running light system....... 67
Defrost
rear window.............. 66
windshield............... 60
Dipstick................ 202
automatic transmission fluid...... 217
engine oil.............. 202
power steering fluid.......... 214
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 192
Dispute Settlement Board........ 258
Doors.................. 87
door ajar warning light......... 18
lubricant specifications......... 249
Driving under special conditions..... 162
bad weather............. 162
heavy load.............. 156
high water.............. 164
slippery roads............ 162
tips for safe driving.......... 162
towing a trailer............ 158
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 173
fuses................. 165
Electronic sound system
tuning the radio........ 27,37,46
warranty and service information..... 58
Electronic stereo cassette radio (see Electronic
sound system)............. 37
Emergencies, roadside
assistance............... 255
battery acid spills........... 186
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294 Index
Engine oil............... 201
changing oil and oil filter....... 203
checking and adding......... 202
dipstick............... 202
disposal............... 204
engine oil pressure warning light..... 18
filter, specifications.......... 247
refill capacities............ 248
specifications...........201, 249
synthetic oil............. 201
ªbreak-inº oils............. 6
viscosity............... 201
Entry system
illuminated............... 88
remote................. 95
Exhaust fumes............. 143
Extended Service Plan, Ford........ 4
F
Fan .................. 196
engine fan, avoiding injury....... 196
Federal Communications Commission.... 57
Flashers, hazard.............. 77
Flashing the lights............. 75
Flat tire................. 175
Floor mats................ 92
Fluid refill capacities........... 248
Ford Customer Assistance Center..... 257
Ford Dispute Settlement Board...... 258
Ford Extended Service Plan........ 4
Ford Motor Company of Canada..... 263
Ford of Canada Customer
Assistance Centre........... 263
Foreign registration........... 264
French owner guides, how to obtain.... 3
Fuel.................. 227
capacity............... 248
choosing the right fuel......... 227
filling your vehicle with fuel...... 226
filter, specifications.......... 247
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Index 299
Lights, warning and indicator
airbag................. 13
anti-lock brakes (ABS).......... 11
anti-theft................ 16
brake................. 10
charging system............ 14
door ajar................ 18
engine oil pressure........... 18
hazard warning light.......... 77
high beam............... 16
low coolant.............. 13
low fuel................ 19
low washer fluid............ 20
oil pressure.............. 18
overdrive off.............. 14
safety belt............... 12
service engine soon........... 16
theft system.............. 16
turn signal indicator.......... 17
Load limits............... 156
GAWR................ 156
GVWR................ 156
trailer towing............. 158
Lubricant specifications......... 249
Lug nuts................ 178
anti-theft............... 184
standard............... 179
tightening sequence.......... 182
M
Maintenance schedule and record
(see separate Maintenance Schedule
booklet)................ 3
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 195
Master cylinder, brakes......... 204
Mirrors.................. 86
rearview................ 86
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300 Index
Mirrors (continued)
side view mirrors............ 86
side view mirrors (power)........ 89
vanity mirror, illuminated........ 86
Moon roof................ 84
Motorcraft parts............. 247
N
New vehicle break-in........... 6
O
Octane rating.............. 227
Odometer................. 22
description............... 22
trip odometer.............. 23
Oil filter..............203, 247
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 201
Oil viscosity.............. 201
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 236
Overdrive................ 154
Overseas offices............. 264
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system . . 97
Parking brake.............. 146
operation............... 146
warning light.............. 10
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)........ 247
PCV valve, specifications......... 247
Power distribution box (see Fuses).... 165
Power door locks............. 87
Power features
door locks............... 87
mirrors............... 86,89
moon roof............... 84
seats................. 102
windows................ 88
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Index 305
Trailer towing............. 158
calculating maximum
trailer weight........... 158
safety chains............. 160
tips................. 161
trailer brakes............. 161
trailer lamps............. 161
Transmission
automatic operation.......... 151
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)............ 217
fluid, refill capacities......... 248
lubricant specifications........ 249
Transmission control switch....... 154
Transmitter (see Remote entry)....... 95
Trip odometer.............. 23
Trunk
remote release lever........... 72
using the remote entry system to open . . 96
Tune-up specifications (VECI)...... 235
Turn signal................ 74
indicator lights............. 17
lever................. 74
U
Used engine oil, disposal........ 204
V
Vanity mirror............... 86
Variable interval wipers.......... 75
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information)
decal................ 235
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 258
Vehicle loading
automatic transmissions........ 157
calculating the load.......... 157
understanding loading information . . . 156
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