1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD towing

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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Index 293
Emergencies, roadside (continued)
fuel................. 230
jump-starting............. 185
towing................ 192
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 146
Emission control system......... 233
catalytic converter.......... 233
emissions warranty......... 4,233
Engine
does not start............ 141
fuel injected engine, starting...... 139
fuel pump shut-off switch....... 174
preparing to start........... 139
refill capacities............ 248
service points............ 195
starting............... 140
starting after a collision........ 174
storing your vehicle.......... 250
Engine block heater........... 142
Engine coolant............. 207
checking and adding......... 207
checking hoses............ 208
disposal............... 196
drain and flush............ 211
low coolant warning light........ 13
preparing for storage......... 251
proper solution........196, 209, 211
recovery reservoir........198, 207
refill capacities............ 248
specifications............. 249
temperature gauge........... 21
Engine coolant temperature gauge..... 21
description............... 21
mechanical............... 21
Engine fan............... 196
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Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

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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302 Index
S
Safe driving tips............. 162
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)..... 103
Safety chains, when towing a trailer.... 160
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 230
Safety restraints
adjusting the
safety belts.........105, 108, 112
automatic locking mode........ 107
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . . 107
center rear lap belt.......... 112
cleaning the safety belts........ 244
extension assembly.......... 113
for adults.............. 103
for children.............. 118
for infants............118, 120
for pregnant women.......... 103
head.................. 99
lap and shoulder belts.......103, 105
maintenance............. 114
proper use.............. 103
replacement............. 114
warning light and chime......... 12
Safety seats for children......... 120
and air bags............. 120
automatic locking mode
(retractor)...........107, 120
in center seating positions....... 135
in front seat............. 120
in rear outboard.........120, 129
in rear seat.............. 120
Seat belts (see Safety restraints)...... 103
Seats................... 99
adjusting the seat, manual....... 100
adjusting the seats, power....... 102
child safety seats........... 120
cleaning upholstery.......... 245
head restraints............. 99
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Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

Index 303
Seats (continued)
rear seat access............ 103
reclining the seat........... 101
Serial number (VIN)........... 258
Service concerns............ 256
Servicing your vehicle.......... 195
precautions when servicing...... 196
servicing when you tow........ 192
Shift-lock system............ 152
Shift positions (see Gearshift)....... 151
Shoulder and lap belts
(see Safety restraints).......103, 105
Shoulder belts (see Safety restraints) . . . 105
Side mirrors............... 86
adjusting................ 89
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof)..... 84
Snow tires and chains.......... 225
Spare tire................ 175
changing the tire.........175, 178
conventional spare.......... 177
finding the spare........... 177
removing the spare tire........ 177
storing the flat tire........177, 179
temporary spare........... 175
Spark plugs, specifications........ 247
Special driving conditions........ 162
Specification chart, lubricants....... 249
Speed control
turning off............... 80
when towing a trailer......... 161
Speedometer............... 22
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..... 139
starting a cold engine......... 140
starting after a collision........ 174
starting a warm engine........ 141
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 185
Steering, power............. 150
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Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

304 Index
Steering wheel
horn.................. 78
locking................. 72
tilting................. 79
Storage compartments, center console.... 91
Storing your vehicle........... 250
Sunroof (moon roof)............ 84
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 13
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 114
T
Tachometer................ 23
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 236
cleaning............... 244
Temperature control (see Climate control) . . 59
Tilt steering wheel............. 79
Tires.................. 221
changing............... 175
checking the pressure......... 221
cleaning............... 246
inspection and maintenance...... 221
replacing............... 223
rotating............... 222
snow tires and chains......... 225
spare tire............... 177
storing your vehicle.......... 252
tire grades.............. 224
treadwear.............. 224
wear bands.............. 223
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 158
Towing your vehicle........... 192
using wheel dollies.......... 192
with a tow truck........... 192
Traction assist.............. 149
Traction-lok rear axle.......... 148
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Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

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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Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

306 Index
Vehicle storage............. 250
Ventilating your vehicle
(see Climate control)........ 59,65
Viscosity (see Engine oil)......... 201
Voltmeter (see Battery voltage gauge).... 14
W
Warm engine, starting.......... 141
Warning chimes
key in ignition............. 73
safety belt............... 12
Warning lights (see Lights)......... 8
Warranties................ 4
basic.................. 4
Canada................. 4
radio.................. 58
Warranty Information Booklet....... 4
Washer fluid............... 75
rear window reservoir......... 206
reservoir............... 206
warning light.............. 20
windshield.............. 206
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR)...... 156
Wheel dollies (see Towing)........ 192
Wheels
anti-theft lugnuts........... 184
cleaning............... 246
covers..............178, 182
inspection and maintenance...... 221
lug nuts............... 178
ornaments.............. 182
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996