2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD check brake fluid

WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped in an open area for
long periods of time, open the windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch).
Adjust the heating or air conditioning (if equipped) to bring in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by keeping all air inlet vents clear of snow,
leaves and other debris.
BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check after you start
the engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be
heard during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is found, the ABS
Driving
136

STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²uneven vehicle loading
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn suspension components
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving at a constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system
checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the RUN position unless brake pedal is depressed.
Driving
140

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty Guideto find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing, jewelry or long hair
away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained in the
Batterysection in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
Maintenance and specifications
195

BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid from
a clean un-opened container until
the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only brake fluids certified to
meet Ford specification ESA-M6C25±A. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended. However, if
DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use DOT 5 or any other brake fluid that is not DOT 3 or
DOT 4, you will cause permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the fluid level in the reservoir for the master cylinder
fall below the MIN mark. If master cylinder runs dry, this may
cause the brakes to fail.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and specifications
220

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll Fill to line on
reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
3Your vehicle's rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and
is considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should
be changed any time the rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill 6
mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
4Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCONtand
MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONtand
MERCONtV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
5Approximate dry capacity, includes cooler and tubes. Fluid level should
be checked by a qualified service technician.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
PM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door
weatherstripsSilicone
LubricantF7AZ-19G208-BA
and
F5AZ-19553-AAESR-M13P4-A
Maintenance and specifications
229

A
Accessory delay ..........................64
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................109, 119
and child safety seats ............110
description ......................109, 119
disposal ....................................122
driver air bag ..................111, 120
indicator light ...........12, 113, 121
operation .........................111, 120
passenger air bag ...........111, 120
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................114
side air bag ..............................119
Air cleaner filter .......221±222, 227
Air conditioning ..........................35
Air filter, cabin ............................48
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................202
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................136±137
Anti-theft system ........................94
arming the system ....................94
disarming a triggered system ..94
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................141
fluid, adding ............................221
fluid, checking ........................221
fluid, refill capacities ..............228
fluid, specification ..................231
Auxiliary power point .................63
Axle
lubricant specifications ..229, 231
refill capacities ........................228B
Battery .......................................200
acid, treating emergencies .....200
charging system warning
light ............................................13
jumping a disabled battery ....169
maintenance-free ....................200
replacement, specifications ...227
servicing ..................................200
Belt minder ...............................104
Brakes ........................................136
anti-lock ...........................136±137
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 137
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....220
fluid, refill capacities ..............228
fluid, specifications .........229, 231
lubricant specifications ..229, 231
parking ....................................138
shift interlock ..........................140
Break-in period .............................6
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....228
Cassette tape player ...................19
Certification Label ....................233
Child safety restraints ..............122
child safety belts ....................122
Child safety seats ......................123
attaching with tether straps ..127
in front seat ............................125
in rear seat ..............................125
LATCH .....................................130
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............188
exterior ....................................192
Index
237

turning on and off ....................49
warning chime ..........................15
Heating ........................................35
Hood ..........................................196
I
Ignition ...............................132, 231
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................123
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................218
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................191
cluster ................................10, 191
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................50
J
Jack ............................................164
positioning ...............................164
storage .....................................164
Jump-starting your vehicle ......169
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................90
Keys .......................................91, 93
key in ignition chime ...............15
positions of the ignition .........132
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................49
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................53cargo lamps ...............................50
daytime running light ...............49
headlamps .................................49
headlamps, flash to pass ..........50
instrument panel, dimming .....50
interior lamps .....................52, 54
replacing bulbs ....... 53±54, 56±59
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................52
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....12, 137
brake ..........................................12
bulb warning .............................15
charging system ........................13
check engine .............................10
cruise indicator .........................14
door ajar ....................................15
fuel cap light .............................11
high beam .................................15
low coolant ................................13
low fuel ......................................14
low washer fluid .......................14
oil pressure ...............................13
safety belt .................................13
speed control ............................70
traction control active ..............14
transmission PRNDL
indicator ....................................12
turn signal indicator .................14
Load limits .................................146
GAWR ......................................146
GVWR ......................................146
trailer towing ..........................146
Locks
autolock .....................................90
doors ..........................................84
Lubricant specifications ...229, 231
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................169
Index
240

Lumbar support, seats ...............96
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................228
lubricant specifications ..........231
Master lighting switch ................49
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......65
Motorcraft parts ................214, 227
O
Octane rating ............................212
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................197
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................88
Parking brake ............................138
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....227
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................159, 162
Power door locks ..................84, 90
Power steering ..........................140
fluid, checking and adding ....219
fluid, refill capacity ................228
fluid, specifications .........229, 231
R
Rear window defroster ...............48
Relays ........................................156
Remote entry system ...........86, 88illuminated entry ......................89
locking/unlocking doors .....84, 87
opening the trunk .....................87
panic alarm ...............................88
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................89
replacing the batteries .............88
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......................15, 99±103
Safety defects, reporting ..........186
Safety restraints ..................99±103
belt minder .............................104
cleaning the safety
belts .................................108, 192
extension assembly ................108
for adults .........................100±103
for children .............................122
warning light and
chime ...........................13, 15, 104
Safety seats for children ..........123
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............99
Seats ............................................95
child safety seats ....................123
cleaning ...................................191
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ....................................91, 93
Servicing your vehicle ..............195
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................227, 231
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................229, 231
Speed control ..............................66
Speedometer ...............................17
Index
241