2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD tow

Seating and safety restraints 95
Seating 95
Safety restraints 99
Air bags 109
Child restraints 122
Driving 132
Starting 132
Brakes 136
Traction control 138
Transmission operation 140
Vehicle loading 146
Trailer towing 148
Recreational towing 152
Roadside emergencies 153
Hazard flasher switch 154
Fuses and relays 156
Changing tires 164
Jump starting 169
Wrecker towing 176
Customer assistance 177
The dispute settlement board 180
Utilizing the mediation/arbitration 183
Getting assistance outside the U.S. and Canada 183
Ordering additional owner's literature 184
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 186
Cleaning 187
Cleaning your vehicle 187
Underbody preservation 192
Table of contents
2

Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular guidelines for breaking-in your vehicle. During
the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is
recommended to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Emission warranty
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper-to-Bumper
Coverage, Safety Restraint Coverage, Corrosion Coverage, and 7.3L
Power Stroke Diesel Engine Coverage. In addition, your vehicle is eligible
for Emissions Defect and Emissions Performance Warranties. For a
detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered, refer to
theWarranty Guidethat is provided to you along with your Owner's
Guide.
Introduction
6

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle's functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works.If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have
the respective system inspected immediately.
Check engine
Illuminates briefly to ensure the
system is functional. If it comes on
after the engine is started, one of
the engine's emission control
systems may be malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a
driveability concern being noted and will not require towing.
Light turns on solid:
Temporary malfunctions may cause your light to illuminate. Examples
are:
²The vehicle has run out of fuel.
²Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
²The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
Instrument cluster
10

RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
Three factors can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by ªsignal modulation.º Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
AUDIO SYSTEM WARRANTIES AND SERVICE
Refer to theWarranty Guidefor audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
Entertainment systems
34

²Do not place items over the climate temperature sensor grid. This may
cause improper operation of the DATC system.
²With the ignition in the OFF position after operating the vehicle, some
vehicle sounds related to the climate control system may be heard.
²Approximately two minutes after key off, the air distribution doors
may adjust their positions as part of the normal operating process.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select
2. Set the temperature control to full heat
3. Select A/C
4. Set the fan speed to High
5. Direct the outer panel vents towards the side windows
6. In order to increase the airflow to the outer panel vents, close the
central panel vents.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel, as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Climate controls
47

Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Pull toward you until control stops
to activate. Control will return to
original position. Repeat to
deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel during parklamp,
headlamp, and autolamp operation.
²Rotate up to brighten.
²Rotate down to dim.
²Rotate fully up to turn on the
interior lights.
INT
INTOFF
AUTO
INT
INTOFF
AUTO
Lights
50

Replacing tail/brake/turn/backup lamp bulbs
The tail/brake//turn/backup bulbs are located in the tail lamp assembly,
one just below the other. Follow the same steps to replace either bulb:
Prior to pulling the carpet away, in
step 1, the trunk trim scuff plate
must be removed. This can be
accomplished by pulling gently on
the component until the 6 push pins
along the rear of the trunk release.
The part can be placed aside and
the carpet pulled away. To replace
the piece, re-align the pins and push
into place.
1. Open the trunk and carefully pull
the carpet away to expose the nut
and washer assemblies.
2. Remove the two nut and washer
assemblies from the lamp assembly.
3. Pull the lamp assembly towards
the rear of the vehicle disengaging
the ball stud locator from the ball
stud socket in the body. Carefully
remove the lamp assembly from the
vehicle.
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket and push in the new bulb.
6. To complete installation, follow
the removal procedure in reverse
order.
Lights
58

Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
Changing the wiper blades
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
windshield and lock into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward
the windshield to remove it from the
arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
Driver controls
61