2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD ECO mode

•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
• Come to a complete stop
• 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.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
117

•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.
• Provides engine braking.
• 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)
This position allows for first gear only.
• Provides maximum engine braking.
• 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.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
118

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
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2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:Calculation 1: Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2: Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle ’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style —good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
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.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
181