1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD wheel

179
*
[ER14200(MBC )12/95]
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them
until the tire is raised off the ground. You
should pull up on the handle rather than
push to develop maximum force to loosen
wheel lug nuts. SeeAnti-Theft Wheel Lug
Nutslater in this chapter for information on
removing anti-theft lug nuts.
%*
[ER14400( ALL)01/96]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
[ER14600( BC )12/95]
1. Find the underbody notches closest to the
wheel to be removed. Center the jack
between (2) underbody notches and turn the
handle of the jack clockwise until the wheel
is completely off the ground.
*
[ER14800( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do
not put any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start
the engine when your vehicle is on the
jack. The jack is only meant for changing
the tire.
File:10rcerb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:01:08 1996

181 % [ER15200( BC )12/95]
half page art:0010346-C
The notches for the jack
*
[ER15600( ALL)12/95]
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the
wheel clears the ground. Remove the wheel
lug nuts.
*
[ER15700(MBC )03/96]
3. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire,
making sure that the air valve stem is facing
outward.
*
[ER15800(MBC )03/96]
4. Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the
wheel is snug against the hub. The beveled
edges on the lug nuts face inward. Do not
fully tighten the lug nuts until you lower the
vehicle. If you do, you could force the
vehicle off the jack.
*
[ER15900(MBC )03/96]
5. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
File:10rcerb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:01:08 1996

182
*
[ER16000(MBC )03/96]
6. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug
nuts in the order shown in the following
illustration. As soon as possible, have your
dealer or a qualified service technician check
the lug nuts for proper torque specifications.
% [ER16100( ALL)12/95]
quarter page art:0010350-A
The lug nuts on the wheel
*
[ER16200(MBC )03/96]
7. Place any wheel covers and ornaments in the
trunk.
*
[ER16300(MBC )03/96]
8. Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. Make
sure the jack is securely fastened so it does
not rattle when you drive.
*
[ER16400(MBC )03/96]
9. Unblock the wheels.
% [ER16600(MBC )12/95]
Aluminum Road Wheel Ornaments
(If equipped)
[ER16700(MBC )12/95]
To remove the ornament, stick the tapered end
of the jack handle between the ornament and
wheel and pry off the ornament.
[ER16800(MBC )12/95]
To replace the ornament, stick one side of the
ornament into the center of the wheel and strike
the other side with the palm of your hand.
File:10rcerb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:01:08 1996

183 % [ER16900( BC )04/96]
Center Wheel Cover
[ER17000( BC )04/96]
To remove the wheel cover:
[ER17100( BC )12/95]
1. Pry the center ornament from the wheel
cover using the tapered end of the jack
handle. Do not use a screwdriver or any
other tool. If you do, you may damage the
cover. The wheel, with the wheel cover still
attached, may now be removed from the
vehicle by removing the five lug nuts.
[ER17200( BC )12/95]
2. If the tire needs to be removed from the
wheel, remove the five screws, using a
Phillips head screwdriver. Then pull the
wheel cover off the wheel.
[ER17300( BC )12/95]
half page art:0010353-B
The center attachment wheel cover
File:10rcerb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:01:08 1996

184 [ER17400( BC )04/96]To replace the wheel cover:
[ER17500( BC )12/95]
1. Place the tire valve stem hole in the wheel
cover over the tire valve stem. Align the
holes in the wheel cover mounting pad with
the center holes in the metal inserts. Install
and tighten the five screws.
[ER17600( BC )12/95]
2. Align the legs of the ornament with the slots
on the wheel cover. Strike the ornament with
the palm of your hand.
%*
[ER18800(MBC )01/96]
Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts (If equipped)
*
[ER18900( BC )12/95]
If your vehicle has this option, one of the lug
nuts on each wheel locks and must be unlocked
with a special key. The key and registration card
are attached to the lug wrench and stored with
the spare tire. If you lose the key, send the
registration card to the manufacturer (not the
dealer) to get a replacement key.
*
[ER19100(MBC )12/95]
NOTE: If entire lug wrench/lug nut key
assembly is lost, see your nearest Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer who has
access to a master set of keys.
*
[ER19200(MBC )12/95]
NOTE: DO NOT USE A POWER IMPACT
WRENCH ON THE LUG NUT KEY.
[ER19300(MBC )12/95]
quarter page art:0010357-B
The anti-theft lug nut and key
File:10rcerb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:01:08 1996

192
%*
[ER23500( ALL)04/96]
Towing Your Vehicle
*
[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.
File:10rcerb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:01:08 1996

197
*
[MC01900( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed
space with the engine running, unless you are
sure you have enough ventilation.
*
[MC02000( ALL)01/96]
q
Never get under a vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If you must work
under a vehicle, use safety stands.
*
[MC02100( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking
materials away from the battery and all
fuel-related parts.
*
[MC02200(MBC )01/96]
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before your vehicle
will drive properly. To find out how the engine
does this, seeBatteryin this chapter.
*
[MC02300( ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine off:
*
[MC02500( BCGV)01/96]
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
*
[MC02600( ALL)01/96]
2. Remove the key from the ignition after you
turn the engine off.
*
[MC02700( ALL)01/96]
3. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
*
[MC02800( ALL)01/96]
Working with the engine on:
*
[MC03000( BCGV)01/96]
1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
*
[MC03100( ALL)01/96]
2. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
*
[MC03200( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996

214
%*
[MC18300( ALL)01/96]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[MC18400( ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[MC18500( ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
[MC18600( BC )03/96]
3.8L SFI engine
*
[MC18700( ALL)04/96]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[MC18800( ALL)01/96]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[MC18900( ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[MC19000(MBC )01/96]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
*
[MC19200(MBC )01/96]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
*
[MC19400(MBC )03/96]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996