1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD ignition

221
not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean your wiper blades. These will
damage your blades.
*
[MC24600( ALL)01/96]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply
turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn
your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to the OFF
position. Do not move the wipers manually.
Manually moving the wipers across the
windshield may damage them.
*
[MC24700( ALL)02/96]
Wiper blade replacement
*
[MC24800( ALL)01/96]
If the wiper blades still do not work properly
after you clean them, you may need to replace
the wiper blade assembly or the blade element.
When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade
refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent. To replace the blades, follow the
instructions that come with them.
%
*
[MC24900( ALL)01/96]
Tires
%*
[MC25001( ALL)03/96]
Checking Tire Pressure
*
[MC25100( ALL)02/96]
q
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
*
[MC25200( ALL)02/96]
q
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold,
after the vehicle has been parked for at least
one hour or has been driven less than 3 miles
(5 km).
*
[MC25400( ALL)03/96]
q
Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
*
[MC25900( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996

234
*
[MC36800( ALL)01/96]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the
other emission control parts continue to work
properly:
*
[MC36900( ALL)01/96]
q
Use only unleaded fuel.
*
[MC37000( ALL)01/96]
q
Avoid running out of fuel.
*
[MC37100( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not turn off the ignition while your
vehicle is moving, especially at high speeds.
*
[MC37200( ALL)01/96]
q
Do not push start your vehicle.
*
[MC37300( ALL)02/96]
q
Have the services listed in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet performed according to the
specified schedule. The scheduled
maintenance services are required because
they are considered essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
*
[MC37400( ALL)01/96]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service
of the emissions control devices or systems in
your new Ford Motor Company vehicle or
engine may be performed at your expense by
any automotive repair establishment or
individual using automotive parts equivalent to
those which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
*
[MC37500( ALL)01/96]
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine
Ford replacement parts. If other than Ford or
Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for the service of components
affecting emission control, such non-Ford parts
should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It
is the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information.
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996

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
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

290 Index
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)........ 120
Cassette tape player (see Electronic
sound system)........ 36,40,45,51
Catalytic converter............ 233
CD player (see Electronic
sound system)........... 25,31
Chains, tires.............. 226
Changing a tire............. 175
Charging system warning light....... 14
Child safety restraints.......... 118
child safety belts........... 136
child safety seats........... 120
Child safety seats............ 120
and air bags............. 120
automatic locking mode
(retractor)...........107, 120
in front seat............. 120
in rear outboard seat......... 129
in rear seat............120, 135
tether anchorage hardware....... 136
Chime
key in ignition............. 73
safety belt............... 12
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing........ 173
see also fuses............. 165
Cleaning your vehicle.......... 243
chrome and aluminum parts...... 243
engine compartment.......... 245
exterior............... 243
exterior lamps............ 244
fabric................ 245
headlamps.............. 244
instrument panel......... 59,245
instrument panel lens......... 245
interior................ 245
interior lamps............. 244
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

Index 297
Heating
manual heating and air
conditioning system......... 59
semi-automatic system......... 62
High beams
indicator light............. 16
operation............. 67,75
High-mount brakelamp......... 239
description.............. 239
replacing the bulb.......... 239
Hitch................. 160
Hood................. 198
latch location............. 198
lubrication specifications........ 249
release lever............. 198
working under the hood....... 196
Horn................... 78
Hoses, checking............. 208
I
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) . . . 258
Idle, relearning.........191, 196, 220
Ignition
chime................. 73
positions of the ignition......... 72
removing the key............ 73
Indicator lights and chimes (see Lights) . . . 8
Infant seats (see Safety seats)....... 118
Instrument cluster, mechanical....... 9
Instrument panel............. 59
cleaning............... 245
lighting up panel and interior...... 70
Interval wipers.............. 75
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

298 Index
J
Jack.................. 177
operation............... 178
positioning.............. 179
storage................ 177
Jump-starting your vehicle
attaching cables............ 187
disconnecting cables.......... 191
K
Keys
key in ignition chime.......... 73
positions of the ignition......... 72
removing from the ignition....... 73
stuck in lock position.......... 73
L
Lamps
autolamp delay system......... 69
bulb replacement specifications chart . . 242
checking............... 236
daytime running light system...... 67
dome lamps.............. 70
flashing the lamps............ 75
hazard flashers............. 77
headlamps............... 68
high beams............... 75
high-mount brakelamp........ 239
illuminated entry system......... 88
illuminated mirrors........... 86
instrument panel, dimming....... 70
interior lamps............ 67,70
replacing bulbs............ 236
trailer................ 161
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal)............ 74
Lap belts................ 112
File:rcixb.ex
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