Page 2 of 216
Seating and Safety Restraints 73
Seating 73
Safety restraints 76
Air bags 86
Child restraints 97
Driving 109
Starting 109
Brakes 112
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 113
Transmission operation 115
Vehicle loading 121
Trailer towing 124
Roadside Emergencies 125
Getting roadside assistance 125
Hazard flasher switch 126
Fuel pump shut-off switch 127
Fuses and relays 127
Changing tires 136
Jump starting 141
Wrecker towing 147
Customer Assistance 148
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 156
Cleaning 157
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Table of Contents
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Page 6 of 216

SPECIAL NOTICES
Emission warranty
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper-to-Bumper
Coverage, Safety Restraint Coverage, Corrosion Coverage, and 6.0L
Power Stroke Diesel Engine Coverage. In addition, your vehicle is eligible
for Emissions Defect and Emissions Performance Warranties. For a
detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered, refer to
theWarranty Guide that is provided to you along with your Owner ’s
Guide.
Data Recording
Computers in your vehicle are capable of recording detailed data
potentially including but not limited to information such as:
• the use of restraint systems including seat belts by the driver and
passengers,
• information about the performance of various systems and modules in
the vehicle, and
• information related to engine, throttle, steering, brake or other system
status.
Any of this information could potentially include information regarding
how the driver operates the vehicle, potentially including but not limited
to information regarding vehicle speed, brake or accelerator application,
or steering input. This information may be stored during regular
operation or in a crash or near crash event.
This stored information may be read out and used by:
• Ford Motor Company.
• service and repair facilities.
• law enforcement or government agencies.
• others who may assert a right or obtain your consent to know such
information.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Introduction
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Page 8 of 216
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner ’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Traction ControlAdvanceTrac
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Introduction
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Page 11 of 216

Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system: If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness: If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt: Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system: Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Page 13 of 216

Low washer fluid:Illuminates
when the windshield washer fluid is
low.
Bulb warning: A text message
indicates when one of the exterior
front turn lamps or rear
brake/turn/tail lamps bulb has
burned out. Depress the RESET control to return to the Trip odometer
display.
Door ajar: Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON position and
any door or trunk is open.
Turn signal: Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams: Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Electronic throttle control:
Illuminates when the engine has
defaulted to a ’limp-home ’operation.
Report the fault to a dealer at the
earliest opportunity.
Key-in-ignition warning chime: Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver ’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime: Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver ’s door is opened.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Page 31 of 216
Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs
must be marked with an authorized“D.O.T. ”for North America and an
“ E ” for Europe to assure lamp performance, light brightness, pattern and
safe visibility. The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly or
void the lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn time.
Function Trade number
Park/turn lamps (front) 3457 AK (amber)
Supplemental parking lamps (if
equipped) 912
Front side marker lamps 194
Rear side marker lamps 194
Headlamps 9007
Rear stop/turn/tail lamps 3157K
Backup lamps 3156K
Rear license plate lamps 168
High-mount brake lamp See a dealer or qualified technician
Footwell courtesy lamps 168
Reading lamps 3886X
Dome lamp 6411
Glove box lamp 168
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your dealer.
Interior bulbs
Check the operation of all bulbs frequently.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
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Page 36 of 216

Replacing tail/brake/turn/backup lamp bulbs
The tail/brake//turn/backup bulbs are located in the tail lamp assembly,
one just below the other. Follow the same steps to replace either bulb:
Prior to pulling the carpet away, in
step 1, the trunk trim scuff plate
must be removed. This can be
accomplished by pulling gently on
the component until the 6 push pins
along the rear of the trunk release.
The part can be placed aside and
the carpet pulled away. To replace
the piece, re-align the pins and push
into place.
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and then open
the trunk and carefully pull the
carpet away to expose the nut and
washer assemblies.
2. Remove the two nut and washer
assemblies from the lamp assembly.
3. Pull the lamp assembly towards
the rear of the vehicle disengaging
the ball stud locator from the ball
stud socket in the body. Carefully remove the lamp assembly from the
vehicle.
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
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Page 37 of 216
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket and push in the new bulb.
6. To complete installation, follow
the removal procedure in reverse
order.
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and then
remove two screws and the license
plate lamp assembly from the
vehicle.
2. Rotate bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
3. Carefully pull the bulb from the
socket and push in the new bulb.
4. Install the lamp assembly with two screws.
Replacing high-mount brake lamp assembly
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Lights
37