2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD brakes

Brakes 105
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 106
Transmission operation 108
Trailer towing 115
Roadside Emergencies 116
Getting roadside assistance 116
Hazard flasher switch 117
Fuel pump shut-off switch 118
Fuses and relays 118
Changing tires 127
Jump starting 132
Wrecker towing 138
Customer Assistance 139
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 147
Cleaning 148
Maintenance and Specifications 154
Engine compartment 155
Engine oil 156
Battery 159
Fuel information 167
Air filter(s) 178
Part numbers 182
Refill capacities 183
Lubricant specifications 184
Accessories 189
Index 191
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Copyright © 2002 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
2

Setting speed control
The controls for using your speed
control are located on the steering
wheel for your convenience.
1. Press the ON control and release
it.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET + control and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
5. The indicator
light on the
instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
•Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
•If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
•If the vehicle speed decreases more than 16 km/h (10 mph) below
your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage.
Driver Controls
40

Energy Management Feature
The safety belts in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts.
•This vehicle has a seat belt system with an energy management
feature at the front outboard seating positions to help further reduce
the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
•This seat belt system has a retractor assembly that is designed to pay
out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is designed to help
reduce the belt force acting on the occupant’s chest.
The safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder
belts. The safety belts have two types of locking modes described below.
Vehicle sensitive mode
The vehicle sensitive mode is the normal retractor mode, allowing free
shoulder belt length adjustment to your movements and locking in
response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes
suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of
approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the combination safety belts will
lock to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers.
Automatic locking mode
How to use the automatic locking mode
•Buckle the combination lap and
shoulder belt.
Seating and Safety Restraints
72

three hours before starting the vehicle. The heater can be plugged in the
night before starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by a qualified service technician. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking; any
pulsations or mechanical noise you may feel or hear is normal.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
TheABSlamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates when
the ignition is turned to ON. If the light does not illuminate during start
up, remains on or flashes, the ABS may be disabled and may need to be
serviced.
Driving
105

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.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission
Your transmission is equipped with an adaptive learning strategy found in
the vehicle computer. This feature is designed to increase durability, and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
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. Additionally, whenever the battery is
disconnected or a new battery installed, the strategy must be relearned.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
PRND5D4321
Driving
109

•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.
Driving
113

Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the range between the MIN and
MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap
back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the“MIN”and
“MAX”lines are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating range, the performance of your brake
system could be compromised, seek service from your dealer
immediately.
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
M
A
X
M
IN
Maintenance and Specifications
176

A
Accessorydelay..........................37
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................80, 88
and child safety seats ..............81
description ..........................80, 88
disposal ......................................91
driver air bag ......................82, 89
indicator light .....................83, 90
operation .............................82, 89
passenger air bag ...............82, 89
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................84
side air bag ................................88
Air cleaner filter .......177–178, 182
Air conditioning ..........................19
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................161
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................105–106
Anti-theft system ........................65
arming the system ....................65
disarming a triggered system ..65
Audio system (see Radio) .........14
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................109
fluid, adding ............................177
fluid, checking ........................177
fluid, refill capacities ..............183
fluid, specification ..................186
Auxiliary power point .................36
Axle
lubricant specifications ..184, 186
refill capacities ........................183
B
Battery .......................................159acid, treating emergencies .....159
jumping a disabled battery ....132
maintenance-free ....................159
replacement, specifications ...182
servicing ..................................159
BeltMinder ...................................75
Brakes ........................................105
anti-lock ...........................105–106
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................105
fluid, checking and adding ....176
fluid, refill capacities ..............183
fluid, specifications .........184, 186
lubricant specifications ..184, 186
parking ....................................106
shift interlock ..........................108
Bulbs ............................................28
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....183
Cassette tape player ...................14
Cell phone use ............................54
Certification Label ....................187
Changing a tire .........................127
Child safety restraints ................91
child safety belts ......................91
Child safety seats ........................94
attaching with tether straps ....98
in front seat ..............................95
in rear seat ................................95
LATCH .....................................100
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............149
instrument panel ....................151
interior .............................151–152
interior trim ............................151
plastic parts ............................150
washing ....................................148
Index
191