2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD tow

Insomestates (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state’s warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Since this
information is subject to change, please ask your dealer for complete
details about Ford Extended Service Plan coverage options, or visit the
Ford ESP website at www.ford-esp.com.
Customer Assistance
141

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available
from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the parts over time.
PAINT CHIPS
Your dealer has touch-up paint and sprays to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jam) to
your dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
Cleaning
148

OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located at the bottom
left of the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of
the hood by pushing the handle
toward the passenger side of the
vehicle.
3. Lift the hood until the lift cylinders hold it open.
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
3.9L–4V V8 engine
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Brake fluid reservoir
Maintenance and Specifications
155

Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You 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.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying 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
173

K
Keylessentrysystem
autolock.....................................61
Keys
positions of the ignition .........102
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................24
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................28
cargo lamps ...............................26
daytime running light ...............25
headlamps .................................24
headlamps, flash to pass ..........25
instrument panel, dimming .....26
interior lamps .....................27, 29
replacing bulbs ....... 28–29, 31–34
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................27
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........105
Load limits .................................114
GAWR ......................................114
GVWR ......................................114
trailer towing ..........................114
Locks
autolock .....................................61
doors ..........................................55
Lubricant specifications ...184, 186
Lug nuts, anti-theft ...................131
Lumbar support, seats ...............67
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................183
lubricant specifications ..........186Master lighting switch ................24
Mirrors .........................................38
side view mirrors (power) .......38
Motorcraft parts ................171, 182
O
Octane rating ............................170
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................156
P
Parking brake ............................106
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....182
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................122, 125
Power door locks ........................55
Power point .................................36
Power steering ..................107–108
fluid, checking and adding ....176
fluid, refill capacity ................183
fluid, specifications .........184, 186
Power Windows ...........................37
R
Radio ............................................14
Rear window defroster ...............22
Relays ........................................118
Remote entry system .................58
illuminated entry ......................60
locking/unlocking doors ...........55
opening the trunk .....................58
Roadside assistance ..................116
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............79
Index
194

Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........70–73
Safety defects, reporting ..........147
Safety restraints ....................70–74
belt minder ...............................75
extension assembly ..................79
for adults .............................71–73
for children ...............................91
safety belt maintenance ...........79
warning light and chime ....74–75
Safety seats for children ............94
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............70
Seats ............................................66
child safety seats ......................94
cleaning ...................................151
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................111
Servicing your vehicle ..............154
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ....................................127
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................182, 186
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................184, 186
Speed control ..............................39
Starting your vehicle ........102–104
jump starting ..........................132
Steering
speed sensitive .......................108
Steering wheel
controls ......................................42
tilting .........................................36T
Tires ...........................127, 179–180
changing ..........................127–128
checking the pressure ............180
replacing ..................................181
rotating ....................................181
snow tires and chains ............182
tire grades ...............................180
treadwear ................................179
Towing .......................................115
recreational towing .................115
trailer towing ..........................115
wrecker ....................................138
Traction control ........................106
Transmission .............................108
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................177
fluid, refill capacities ..............183
lubricant specifications ..184, 186
Trunk ...........................................56
remote release ....................39, 58
Turn signal ..................................27
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................186
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................188
Vehicle loading ..........................114
Ventilating your vehicle ...........105
Index
195

W
Warninglights(seeLights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................156
Water, Driving through .............113
Windows
power .........................................37Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................35
checking and adding fluid
.....156
replacing wiper blades
.............35
Wrecker towing
.........................138
Index
196