2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD check engine light

If the“Check Fuel Cap ”indicator comes on and stays on after you start
the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“ Premium ”unleaded gasoline with
an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 91 or
higher for optimum performance.
The use of gasolines with lower
octane ratings may degrade performance. We do not recommend the use
of gasolines labeled as “Premium ”in high altitude areas that are sold
with octane ratings of less than 91.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
91(R+M)/2 METHOD
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•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 to Lubricant 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).
• Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8 –10 miles) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
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It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
• Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
• Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the “Check Engine ”light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
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Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your Warranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine ’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When the Check
Engine/Service Engine Soon light illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause your Check
Engine/Service Engine Soon light to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, the Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If the Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your “Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon ”light is on, refer to the description in the Warning lights and
chimes section of the Instrument cluster chapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the “Check Engine/Service Engine Soon ”light on.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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A
Accessory delay ..........................40
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................86, 94and child safety seats ..............87
description ..........................86, 94
disposal ......................................97
driver air bag ......................88, 95
indicator light .....................89, 96
operation .............................88, 95
passenger air bag ...............88, 95
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................90
side air bag ................................94
Air cleaner filter .......186 –187, 201
Air conditioning ..........................22
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................170
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................112 –113
Anti-theft system ........................72 arming the system ....................72
disarming a triggered system ..72
Audio system (see Radio) .........16
Automatic transmission driving an automatic
overdrive .................................116
fluid, adding ............................186
fluid, checking ........................186
fluid, refill capacities ..............201
fluid, specification ..................205
Auxiliary power point .................39
Axle lubricant specifications ..203, 205
refill capacities ........................201
B
Battery .......................................168 acid, treating emergencies .....168
jumping a disabled battery ....141
maintenance-free ....................168
replacement, specifications ...201
servicing ..................................168
BeltMinder ...................................81
Brakes ........................................112 anti-lock ...........................112 –113
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................112
fluid, checking and adding ....186
fluid, refill capacities ..............201
fluid, specifications .........203, 205
lubricant specifications ..203, 205
parking ....................................113
shift interlock ..........................115
Bulbs ............................................30
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....201
Cassette tape player ...................16
Cell phone use ............................60
Certification Label ....................206
Changing a tire .........................136
Child safety restraints ................97 child safety belts ......................97
Child safety seats ......................100 attaching with tether straps ..104
in front seat ............................101
in rear seat ..............................101
LATCH .....................................107
Cleaning your vehicle engine compartment ..............158
instrument panel ....................160
interior .....................................161
interior trim ............................160
plastic parts ............................159
washing ....................................157
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Index
Index
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K
Keyless entry systemautolock .....................................68
Keys positions of the ignition .........109
L
Lamps autolamp system .......................27
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................31
daytime running light ...............27
headlamps .................................27
headlamps, flash to pass ..........28
instrument panel, dimming .....28
interior lamps .....................30 –31
replacing bulbs .......30, 32, 34 –37
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................30
Lights, warning and indicator ....10 anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........112
Load limits .................................121
Locks autolock .....................................68
doors ..........................................61
Lubricant specifications ...203, 205
Lumbar support, seats ...............74
M
Manual transmission fluid capacities ........................201
lubricant specifications ..........205
Master lighting switch ................27
Mirrors .........................................41 side view mirrors (power) .......41
Motorcraft parts ................179, 201 O
Octane rating ............................178
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................165
P
Parking brake ............................113
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....201
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................131, 134
Power door locks ........................61
Power point .................................39
Power steering ..................114
–115
fluid, checking and adding ....185
fluid, refill capacity ................201
fluid, specifications .........203, 205
Power Windows ...........................40
R
Radio ............................................16
Rear window defroster ...............25
Relays ........................................127
Remote entry system .................64 illuminated entry ......................67
locking/unlocking doors ...........61
opening the trunk .....................65
Roadside assistance ..................125
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............85
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........76 –80
Safety defects, reporting ..........156
Safety restraints ....................76 –80
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
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