1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD service

192
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[ER23500( ALL)04/96]
Towing Your Vehicle
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[ER23600( ALL)01/96]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center.
[ER23660( BC )03/96]
Do not tow with slingbelt equipment when
towing your Thunderbird from the rear. Ford
Motor Company has not developed or approved
a T-hook sling-type procedure. When slingbelt
towing from the front, the towbar will deform
the soft fascia (bumper). However, it will return
to an acceptable shape. In both cases, wheel lift
or flatbed equipment is recommended.
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195
Maintenance and Care
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[MC00200( ALL)01/96]
Service Made Easy
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[MC00300( ALL)01/96]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[MC00400( ALL)01/96]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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[MC00500( ALL)01/96]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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[MC00600( ALL)01/96]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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[MC00700( ALL)03/96]
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When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
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[MC00800( ALL)02/96]
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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[MC00900( ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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[MC01000( ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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[MC01100( ALL)02/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet be performed for
the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance
Checklist, be alert for any unusual noise,
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196vibration, or other indication that your vehicle
may need service. If you do notice something
unusual, see that your vehicle is serviced
promptly.
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[MC01200( ALL)01/96]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids,
and service parts conforming to Ford
specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is
your assurance that Ford-built quality stays in
your vehicle.
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[MC01300( ALL)04/96]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[MC01400( ALL)01/96]
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
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[MC01500( ALL)01/96]
Be especially careful when inspecting or
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
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[MC01600(MBC )01/96]
q
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fan may come on unexpectedly.
Always turn the engine off and let it cool.
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[MC01700(MBC )01/96]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
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[MC01800( ALL)01/96]
q
If you must work with the engine running,
avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long hair.
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198 %
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[MC03300( ALL)02/96]
Opening the Hood
[MC03400( ALL)12/95]
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release
located under the lower left corner of the
instrument panel.
[MC03600( ALL)12/95]
2. Go around to the front of the vehicle, and
release the auxiliary catch that is located
under the front edge of the hood at the
center of the vehicle.
[MC03800( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0010537-A
The auxiliary catch under the front edge of the hood
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[MC04100( BCGV)12/95]
3. Lift the hood until the counterbalanced
hinges hold it open.
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[MC04300( BCGV)12/95]
Whenever you close the hood, latch it securely.
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[MC04400( ALL)12/95]
NOTE: Apply lubricant to the hood latch at
six-month intervals to maintain smooth
and trouble-free operation.
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[MC04500( ALL)03/96]
Engine Compartment
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[MC04600(MBC )01/96]
Your vehicle has one of these types of engines:
[MC04800(MBC )02/96]
q
a 3.8 liter SFI engine
[MC04900(MBC )12/95]
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a 4.6 liter SFI engine
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[MC05000(MBC )03/96]
The following pages show diagrams of each
engine type and where to find items that you
should regularly service.
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207
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
(VOCs) 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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[MC11700( ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
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[MC11800( ALL)01/96]
Checking the Engine Coolant
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[MC11900( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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[MC12100( BCGV)01/96]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
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[MC12200( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
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[MC12300( ALL)02/96]
The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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211
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[MC15005( ALL)05/96]
Severe winter climate
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[MC15105( ALL)05/96]
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
-34ÊF [-36ÊC]), it may benecessary to increase
the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that
the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months.
Never increase the engine coolant concentration
above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in
non-extreme climates.
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[MC15200( ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
[MC15300( ALL)04/96]
Proper procedures for a complete coolant drain
and flush of the cooling system can be found in
theCar Service Manual. Following these
recommended procedures will ensure that the
specified coolant level and a 50/50 or
appropriate mixture of coolant and water is
maintained.
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[MC15400( ALL)12/95]
Engine Coolant Refill Procedure
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[MC15500( ALL)12/95]
When the entire cooling system is drained and
refilled, the following procedure should be used
to ensure a complete fill:
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[MC15600( ALL)12/95]
NOTE: It is imperative the following
procedure be adhered to. Failure to do
so could result in damage to your
engine.
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224 %
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[MC27400( ALL)01/96]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
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[MC27500( ALL)01/96]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their
Tire Quality Grade (described below) molded
into the tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has
set.
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[MC27600( ALL)01/96]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic
tires for use on passenger cars. They do not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires
with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined in Title 49
Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
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[MC27700( ALL)01/96]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly
as the government has written it.
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[MC27800( ALL)01/96]
Treadwear
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[MC27900( ALL)01/96]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
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229 [MC31000( ALL)05/96]
Octane recommendation
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[MC31101( ALL)04/96]
Your vehicle is designed to use regular gasoline
with an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as ªregularº in
high altitude areas that are sold with octane
ratings of 86 or even less.
[MC31200( ALL)12/95]
one inch art:0060001-C*
[MC31401( ALL)04/96]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily
under most driving conditions on the
recommended octane fuel, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician to prevent any
engine damage.
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[MC31450( ALL)04/96]
Fuel quality
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[MC31501( ALL)04/96]
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems try a different brand of fuel.
If the condition persists, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
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[MC31530( ALL)04/96]
The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) issued a gasoline
specification to provide information on high
quality fuels that optimize the performance of
your vehicle. We recommend the use of
gasolines that meet the AAMA specification if
they are available.
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[MC31560( ALL)04/96]
It should not be necessary to add any
aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you
continue to use a high-quality fuel.
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Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996