2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD transmission

•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
Drive 5 (Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through five.
Drive 4 (Overdrive cancelled)
Activated when the transmission shift lever is moved to the D4 position.
•This position allows for all forward gears 1–4, except overdrive.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads and when
engine braking is required.
•To return to D5 (overdrive mode), move the transmission shift lever
into the D5 position.
•Select D4 at higher speeds will cause the transmission to downshift
into fourth gear.
3 (Third)
This position allows for third gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•To return to D5 or D4, move the transmission shift lever into the D5
or D4 position.
•Selecting 3 (Third) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to third gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.
2 (Second)
This position allows for second gear only.
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•Providesenginebraking.
•Use to start-up on slippery roads.
•To return to D5 or D4, move the transmission shift lever into the D5,
D4 or 3 (Third) position.
•Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to second gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.
1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving shift lever.
•Will not downshift into first gear at high speeds; will cause the
transmission to downshift to a lower gear, then allows for first gear
when the vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in Overdrive or Drive.
•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission with the Select
Shift Transmission (SST) shifter (if equipped)
Understanding gearshift positions
The Select Shift Transmission (SST) shifter allows the driver to select
between the transmission’s automatic shift mode or the manually
selected shift mode.
Automatic shift mode
Operates like a normal automatic
transmission for P (Park), R
(Reverse), N (Neutral), D5 and D4.
Refer toDriving with a 5–speed
automatic transmissionin this
chapter for P (Park), R (Reverse),
N (Neutral), D5 and D4 information.
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Manual shift mode
With the gearshift lever in D5
(Overdrive), the gearshift lever can
be moved to the right and into the
manual shift mode. The transmission
will remain in the manual shift mode
until the gearshift lever is moved
back to D5 (Overdrive).
+ and - position operation
These positions allow the driver to
manually select the appropriate
upshift (+) or downshift (-) and
gear range.
•Can only be entered from the D5
position.
•Gear ranges 1–5 provide the same
function and ratio as found in the
D5 or D4 automatic mode
positions.
•Transmission will not upshift or downshift unless the selector lever is
moved forward or rearward.
•One tap forward (+) willcommandthe transmission to upshift one
gear range.
•One tap rearward (-) willcommandthe transmission to downshift one
gear range.
•Upshifts are allowed at any vehicle speed, with the exception of 4th
and 5th gear. The transmission will not do a 4th or 5th gear start.
Ensure that the transmission is returned to 1st gear once the vehicle
is stopped. If this is not done, and the transmission is in 2nd or 3rd
gear, the vehicle will remain in that gear. However, if the transmission
is in 4th or 5th gear, the transmission will automatically return to 1st
gear.
•When downshifting at normal road speeds, the transmission will only
allow a downshift into thenext lowergear.
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•If shifter (-) is tapped more than once in rapid succession, the
transmission will downshift only into the next lower gear, then when
the vehicle reaches a speed below a calibrated entry speed, the
transmission will allow a downshift into the next lower gear if again
selected by the driver. This is to prevent engine and transmission
damage and to keep the engine and transmission within allowable
RPM ranges.
•An electronic indicator on the instrument cluster will display the
selected gear.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following chart:
Recommended upshift schedule
Shift from:
1 - 2 24 km/h (15 mph)
2 - 3 40 km/h (25 mph)
3 - 4 64 km/h (40 mph)
4 - 5 72 km/h (45 mph)
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal transmission
damage.
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TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is not equipped to tow. No towing packages are available
through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealers.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles:
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral)
•Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph)
•Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles)
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft.
Ford recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a
qualified technician. Improper removal/installation of the
driveshaft may cause damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.See your local dealer for driveshaft
removal/installation.
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The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 5A Starter relay coil
2 5A Radio start signal
3 5A ABS module
4 5A Cluster, PCM relay coil, Inertia
switch, Transmission park switch
5 5A Traction control switch, Speed
control brake switch
6 10A OBD II
7 5A PCM, RKE, Theft indicator
8 5A Right-hand turn/park/side marker
9 15A Right-hand headlamp
SEE
OWNER'S MANUAL
RELAY 1
REPLACEMENT
FUSES
FUSE 8FUSE 9FUSE 10FUSE 11FUSE 12FUSE 13FUSE 14FUSE 15FUSE 16FUSE 17FUSE 18FUSE 19FUSE 20FUSE 21
FUSE 1FUSE 2FUSE 3FUSE 4FUSE 5FUSE 6FUSE 7
FUSE 22FUSE 23FUSE 24FUSE 25FUSE 26FUSE 27FUSE 28FUSE 29FUSE 30FUSE 31FUSE 32FUSE 33FUSE 34FUSE 35
Roadside Emergencies
120

The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
1 10A* A/C clutch
2 15A* Heated wiper park
3 10A* Park lamp
4 15A* Horn
5 15A* Fuel injectors
6 15A* Transmission solenoid
7—Not used
8 20A* Power point
9—Not used
10—Not used
11 15A* HEGO’s
12 15A* Coil-on-plug
13—Not used
RELAY
14RELAY
15
RELAY
11RELAY
12
RELAY
1013
1234
5678
9 10111214 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24
RELAY
13RELAY 08DIODE
RELAY 04 RELAY 05RELAY 01
RELAY 09
RELAY 06
RELAY 02RELAY 07
RELAY 03
Roadside Emergencies
123

To remove the anti-theft lug nut:
1. Insert the key over the locking
lug nut. Make sure you hold the key
square to the lug nut. If you hold
the key at an angle, you could
damage the key and the lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and apply pressure on
the key with the wrench.
3. Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction to remove the lug
nut.
To install the anti-theft lug nut:
1. Insert the key over the locking lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and apply pressure on
the key with the wrench.
3. Install the lug nut by turning the wrench clockwise.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability; also, the
catalytic converter may become damaged.
Preparing your vehicle
Your battery is located in the trunk of your vehicle.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the transmission
may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation.
Roadside Emergencies
132