1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD light

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.
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996

236 %
*
[MC38300( ALL)03/96]
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
*
[MC38400( ALL)04/96]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional city and highway driving is necessary
to complete the check of the OBD II system.
*
[MC38601( ALL)05/96]
The driving modes required to reach the ready
condition consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of
city and highway driving as described below:
*
[MC38701( ALL)05/96]
q
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and
go, city type traffic with at least four idle
periods.
*
[MC38801( ALL)05/96]
q
At least ten minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
[MC38901( ALL)04/96]
Before completing the above driving modes, the
engine must be warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the vehicle must not
be turned off during these driving modes.
%
*
[MC41200( ALL)03/96]
Lights and Bulb Replacement
*
[MC41300( ALL)01/96]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:
*
[MC41400( ALL)01/96]
q
headlamps
*
[MC41500( ALL)01/96]
q
tail lamps
*
[MC41600( ALL)01/96]
q
brakelamps
*
[MC41700( ALL)01/96]
q
hazard flasher
*
[MC41800( ALL)01/96]
q
high-mount brakelamp
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996

237
*
[MC41900( ALL)01/96]
q
turn signals
*
[MC42100( ALL)05/96]
q
license plate lamps
%*
[MC42300( ALL)01/96]
The alignment of your headlamps should be
checked if:
*
[MC42400( ALL)01/96]
q
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to
turn off your vehicle's high beams when you
do not have the high beams on
*
[MC42500( ALL)01/96]
q
the headlamps do not seem to give you
enough light to see clearly at night
*
[MC42600( ALL)01/96]
q
the headlamp beams are pointed substantially
away from a position slightly down and to
the right
%*
[MC42700( ALL)01/96]
Headlamp Bulb
*
[MC42800( ALL)03/96]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable
bulbs. When the lamp burns out, simply replace
the bulb, rather than the whole lamp.
*
[MC42900( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children's reach. Grasp
the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your
hand could cause the bulb to break the
next time the headlamps are operated.
*
[MC43000( ALL)01/96]
Do not remove the burned-out bulb unless you
can immediately replace it with a new one. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the headlamp housing
and affect its performance.
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996

243
%*
[MC48700( ALL)04/96]
Cleaning Your Vehicle
*
[MC48800( ALL)01/96]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage
the paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your
vehicle as often as necessary to keep it clean.
*
[MC48900( ALL)01/96]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is
exposed to chemical industrial fallout.
*
[MC49000( ALL)01/96]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not
related to a defect in paint materials or
workmanship and therefore is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual
improvement in customer satisfaction is a high
priority. For this reason, Ford has authorized its
dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by
environmental fallout within 12 months or 12,000
miles (20,000 km) of purchase, whichever comes
first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford
representative.
%*
[MC49100( ALL)01/96]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
*
[MC49200( ALL)01/96]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the
underside, with a mild detergent.
*
[MC49300( ALL)01/96]
DO NOT:
*
[MC49400( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle with hot water
*
[MC49500( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct
sunlight
*
[MC49600( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
*
[MC49700( ALL)01/96]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits
and protect the finish.
%*
[MC49800( ALL)01/96]
Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts
*
[MC49900( ALL)12/95]
Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild
detergent. Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, fuel, or strong detergents.
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996

250
%*
[CS03000( ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Storage
*
[CS03100( ALL)01/96]
Maintenance Tips
*
[CS03200( ALL)01/96]
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an
extended period of time (60 days or more), refer
to the following maintenance recommendations
to ensure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
*
[CS03300( ALL)01/96]
General
*
[CS03400( ALL)01/96]
q
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
*
[CS03500( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
*
[CS03600( ALL)01/96]
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
*
[CS03700( ALL)01/96]
Body
*
[CS03800( ALL)01/96]
q
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt,
grease, oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces,
rear wheel housing and underside of front
fenders.
*
[CS03900( ALL)01/96]
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
*
[CS04000( ALL)01/96]
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent
rust.
*
[CS04100( ALL)01/96]
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the
vehicle is washed.
*
[CS04200( ALL)01/96]
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil.
*
[CS04300( ALL)01/96]
q
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
*
[CS04400( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
File:12rccsb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:03:27 1996

251 %
*
[CS04500( ALL)01/96]
Engine
*
[CS04600( ALL)01/96]
q
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
*
[CS04700( ALL)01/96]
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
%*
[CS04800( ALL)01/96]
Fuel system
%*
[CS04900( ALL)01/96]
q
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
*
[CS05000( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more), fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
*
[CS05100( ALL)01/96]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60
days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to
circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
%*
[CS05200( ALL)01/96]
Cooling system
*
[CS05300( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect against freezing temperatures.
%*
[CS05400( ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[CS05500( ALL)01/96]
q
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[CS05600( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
*
[CS05700( ALL)12/95]
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, it may be
advisable to disconnect the battery cables to
ensure battery charge is maintained for quick
starting.
File:12rccsb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:03:27 1996

259
*
[HS02500( ALL)05/96]
The Dispute Settlement Board may not be
available in all states. Ford Motor Company
reserves the right to change eligibility
limitations, modify procedures and/or to
discontinue this service without notice and
without incurring obligations.
*
[HS02600( ALL)04/96]
What Kind of Cases Does the Board
Review?
*
[HS02700( ALL)05/96]
The Board reviews all warranty performance
complaints on Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars
and Ford and Mercury light trucks under the
new vehicle limited warranty that have not been
resolved by either a dealer or Ford Motor
Company, except those involving:
*
[HS02800( ALL)05/96]
q
a non-Ford product
*
[HS02900( ALL)05/96]
q
a non-Ford dealership
*
[HS03100( ALL)05/96]
q
a vehicle sales transaction
*
[HS03200( ALL)05/96]
q
request for reimbursement of consequential
expenses. Expenses incidental to the warranty
complaint being reviewed are eligible for
consideration.
*
[HS03300( ALL)05/96]
q
items not covered by the new vehicle limited
warranty
*
[HS03350( ALL)05/96]
q
items covered by a service contract
*
[HS03400( ALL)05/96]
q
alleged liability claims
*
[HS03450( ALL)05/96]
q
property damage where the damage is
significant when compared to the economic
loss alleged under the warranty dispute
*
[HS03500( ALL)05/96]
q
cases currently in litigation
File:14rchsb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:03:54 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