2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD check oil

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel cap
Introduction
9

Safety belt
Illuminates to remind you to fasten
your safety belts. For more
information, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Engine coolant temperature
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let it cool.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and specifications
chapter. If light stays on or continues to turn on after the vehicle warms
up, have your vehicle serviced.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Check
the oil level and add oil if needed.
Refer toEngine oilin the
Maintenance and specifications
chapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly.
Instrument cluster
13

4. Engine coolant reservoir
5. Power steering fluid reservoir
6. Air filter assembly
7. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
8. Power distribution box
9. Engine cooling fan fluid reservoir
WASHER FLUID
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specification ESR-M17P5±A.
Refer toLubricant specificationsin this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
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 or washer system.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
Maintenance and specifications
197

Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
tightly until clicks are heard, or until it is snug.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended.
Only use oils ªCertified For Gasoline Enginesº by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Use Motorcraft or an equivalent oil meeting
Ford specification WSS-M2C153±H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum
fuel economy and durability performance meeting all
requirements for your vehicle's engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the scheduled maintenance guide.
Maintenance and specifications
199

Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50±50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
²Freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²Boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
²The engine coolant should be at the ªcold fill levelº or within the ªcold
fill rangeº as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
²Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for service interval
schedules.
²Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
COLD FILL
LEVEL
Maintenance and specifications
203

²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between fourth and fifth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
Maintenance and specifications
216

instrument cluster lens ..........191
instrument panel ....................191
interior .....................................191
plastic parts ....................189±190
safety belts ..............................192
washing ....................................187
waxing .....................................187
wheels ......................................188
windows ..................................192
wiper blades ............................190
Clock ............................................33
Console ........................................83
Controls
power seat .................................97
steering column ........................70
Convertible ..................................72
cleaning .....................................76
installation of the boot .............73
lowering the convertible top ...72
raising the convertible top ......74
Coolant
checking and adding ..............202
coolant temperature light ........13
refill capacities ................206, 228
specifications ..................229, 231
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................66
Customer Assistance ................153
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................193
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................179
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............183
Getting roadside assistance ...153
Getting the service
you need .................................177
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................184The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................180
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................183
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................49
Defrost
rear window ..............................48
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................221
engine oil .................................197
Doors
door ajar warning .....................15
lubricant specifications ..........229
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................146
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................35
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................169
Emission control system ..........217
Engine ........................................231
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................188
coolant .....................................202
fail-safe coolant ......................207
idle speed control ...................200
lubrication
specifications ..................229, 231
Index
238

refill capacities ........................228
service points ..........................196
starting after a collision .........154
Engine block heater .................135
Engine fan .................................208
Engine oil ..................................197
checking and adding ..............197
dipstick ....................................197
filter, specifications ........199, 227
recommendations ...................199
refill capacities ........................228
specifications ..................229, 231
Exhaust fumes ..........................135
F
Fail safe cooling ........................207
Floor mats ...................................83
Fluid capacities .........................228
Fuel ............................................209
calculating fuel economy .......214
cap .....................................11, 211
capacity ...................................228
choosing the right fuel ...........212
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................217
detergent in fuel .....................213
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................209, 211, 214
filter, specifications ........214, 227
fuel pump shut-off switch .....154
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........214
low fuel warning light ..............14
octane rating ...................212, 231
quality ......................................213
running out of fuel .................213
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................209Fuses ..................................156±157
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......11, 211
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................214
Gauges .........................................16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................146
definition .................................146
driving with a heavy load ......146
location ....................................146
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................146
calculating ...............................146
definition .................................146
driving with a heavy load ......146
location ....................................146
H
Hazard flashers .........................154
Head restraints ...........................95
Headlamps ...................................49
aiming ........................................51
autolamp system .......................49
bulb specifications ....................53
daytime running lights .............49
flash to pass ..............................50
high beam .................................15
replacing bulbs .........................54
Index
239