Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel. (Please note that
in the graphic XXXX is
representative of your vehicle
identification number.)
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the vehicle identification
number) is stamped on the engine block, transmission, frame and
transfer case (if equipped).
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
207
Transmission/Transaxle code designations
You can find a transmission/transaxle code on the vehicle certification
label which is located on the door pillar. The following table tells you
which transmission or transaxle each code represents.
Truck application:
Code Transmission DescriptionManual transmission
M Manual 5 –speed overdrive (Mazda R2)
C Manual 5 –speed overdrive (Close ratio)
W Manual 5 –speed overdrive (Dana ZF)
G Manual 6 –speed ZF
Automatic transmission
U Automatic 4 –speed overdrive (4R70W)
T Automatic 4 –speed overdrive (4R44E)
E Automatic 4 –speed overdrive (4R100)
J Automatic 5 –speed overdrive (5R55E)
Electric
H One speed electric
D Automatic 5 –speed overdrive (5R44E)
R Automatic 5 –speed overdrive (5R55W)
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
208
Passenger car application:
Code Transmission/Transaxle DescriptionFront wheel drive manual transaxle
R5 –speed overdrive (MTX75)
W5 –speed overdrive (M5)
Front wheel drive automatic transaxle
E4 –speed overdrive (4FE)
J3 –speed (Mazda)
L4 –speed overdrive (AX4S)
P4 –speed overdrive (4F20E)
X4 –speed overdrive (4F50N)
Y4 –speed overdrive (CD4E)
Rear wheel drive manual transaxle
55 –speed (Mazda M5)
Rear wheel drive automatic transmission
U4 –speed overdrive (4R70W)
A5 –speed overdrive (5R55N)
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
209
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
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
Index
212
waxing .....................................157
wheels ......................................158
wiper blades ............................159
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............22
Console ........................................60
Controls power seat .................................74
steering column ........................45
Convertible ..................................50 cleaning .............................54, 160
installation of the boot .............51
lowering the convertible top ...50
raising the convertible top ......52
Coolant checking and adding ..............170
refill capacities ................174, 201
specifications ..................203, 205
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................42
Customer Assistance ................125 Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................162
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................150
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................154
Getting roadside assistance ...125
Getting the service you
need .........................................148
Ordering additional owner ’s
literature .................................155
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................150
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................153 D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................27
Defrost
rear window ..............................25
Dipstick automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................186
engine oil .................................165
Doors lubricant specifications ..........203
Driving under special
conditions ..................................120 through water .........................121
E
Emergencies, roadside jump-starting ..........................141
Emergency Flashers .................126
Emission control system ..........183
Engine ........................................205 cleaning ...................................158
coolant .....................................170
fail-safe coolant ......................174
idle speed control ...................168
lubrication
specifications ..................203, 205
refill capacities ........................201
service points ..........................164
Engine block heater .................112
Engine oil ..................................165 checking and adding ..............165
dipstick ....................................165
filter, specifications ........167, 201
recommendations ...................167
refill capacities ........................201
specifications ..................203, 205
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
213
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
215
belt minder ...............................81
extension assembly ..................85
for adults .............................77–80
for children ...............................97
safety belt maintenance ...........85
warning light and chime ..........81
Safety seats for children ..........100
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............76
Seats ............................................73 child safety seats ....................100
Select Shift Transmission
(SST) shifter .............................118
Servicing your vehicle ..............163
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........136
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................201, 205
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................203, 205
Speed control ..............................42
Starting your vehicle ........109 –111
jump starting ..........................141
Steering speed sensitive .......................115
Steering wheel controls ......................................45
tilting .........................................39
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................39
Tires ...........................136, 188 –189
changing ..................136 –137, 141
snow tires and chains ............200
tire grades ...............................189 treadwear ................................189
Towing .......................................124 recreational towing .................124
trailer towing ..........................124
wrecker ....................................147
Traction control ........................113
Transmission .............................115 brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....115
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................186
fluid, refill capacities ..............201
lubricant specifications ..203, 205
Trunk ...........................................62 remote release ....................41, 65
Turn signal ..................................30
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................205
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................207
Vehicle loading ..........................121
Ventilating your vehicle ...........112
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................165
Water, Driving through .............121
Windows power .........................................40
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................38 checking and adding fluid .....165
replacing wiper blades .............38
Wrecker towing .........................147
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
216