2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD Owners Manual

When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
• exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
• load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
• tow a trailer
• use tire chains
• drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle ’s reduced
ground clearance
• try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
• drive for long distances when the temporary-use spare is on
• use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
• use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
• Handling, stability and braking performance
• Comfort and noise
• Ground clearance and parking at curbs
• Winter driving capability
Tire change procedure
To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire,
be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions)
the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the
vehicle) to the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set parking
brake.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park),
turn engine OFF, and block the
diagonally opposite wheel.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
137

3. Lift the trunk cargo cover and
remove the spare tire, jack andtool
bag with lug wrench.
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
138

5. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the tire you are changing.
Turn the jack handle clockwise until
the wheel is completely off the
ground.
Never use the rear differential
as a jacking point.
To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put
any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
7. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub.
Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
If you are using the temporary tire, the lug nut washers will not appear
to be flush with the rim. This is normal only when using the temporary
spare tire.
8. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
139

9. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
Note: The jack cannot be
properly stowed when a full size
tire is placed here. Secure the
jack and the temporary spare
tire as shown after the flat tire
has been fixed.
10. Put flat tire, jack away. Stow the
lug wrench in the bag along side of
the tire. Make sure jack is fastened
so it does not rattle when you drive.
11. Unblock the wheels.14
3
2
5
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
140

Wheel lug nut torque specifications
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 800 km (500 miles)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*Nm Lb-ft
M12 x 1.5 115-156 85-115
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
When a wheel is installed, always remove any corrosion, dirt or
foreign materials present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel
or the surface of the front disc brake hub and rotor that contacts the
wheel. Installing wheels without correct metal-to-metal contact at the
wheel mounting surfaces can cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the
wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of
control.
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; doing so may
damage the catalytic converter.
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 to its
optimum shift feel.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
141

1.Use only a 12 –volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of your disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle ’s electrical system. Keep the battery vent hose
attached at all times.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the trunk of your disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehicles do nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure the vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note: In the illustrations, lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
142

2. Connect the other end of the positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the assisting battery.
3. Connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal of the
assisting battery.
+–+–
+–+–
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
143

4. Make the final connection of the negative (-) cable to the spare tire
tie-down stud. (Your vehicle may be equipped with a plastic cap on top
of the tire tie-down stud. This cap must be removed prior to attaching
the cable to the stud.)
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may cause an
explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of
both engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an
additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
+–+–
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
144