Page 174 of 216

Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
to Refill capacities in this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined in Adding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –36 °C[ –34 °F]), it
may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate freeze protection.
Never increase the engine coolant concentration above 60%
(protection to –60 °F). At a level over 60%, your engine could overheat
and become damaged.
If you drive in extremely hot climates, it is still necessary to maintain the
coolant concentration at 50/50 coolant and water. Do not allow the
coolant concentration to fall below 40% coolant. At a concentration
less than 40%, the corrosion protection to your engine and cooling
components may be compromised and permanent damage may result.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe ”distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
• The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the H (hot)
area.
• The
symbol will
illuminate.
• The
symbol will illuminate.
• The
symbol will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
174
Page 202 of 216

Fluid Ford PartNameApplication Capacity
Engine coolant
2Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored) 3.9L-4V V8
engine
11.3L (11.9
quarts)
Power steering
fluid Motorcraft
MERCON
AT F All Fill to MAX line
on reservoir
Rear axle
3Motorcraft SAE
75W-90 Fuel
Efficient High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant All 1.2
–1.3L
(2.5 –2.7 pints)
Fuel tank N/A All 68.2L (18.0 gallons)
Transmission
fluid
4Motorcraft
MERCON V
AT F Automatic
(5R55S)
11.2L (11.9
quarts)5
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll Fill to line on
reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specifications in this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.3Your vehicle ’s rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and
is considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should
be changed any time the rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill 6
mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
4Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. MERCON and
MERCON V are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCON and
MERCON V. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
202
Page 203 of 216

5Approximate dry capacity, includes cooler and tubes. Fluid level should
be checked by a qualified service technician.
6Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C153 –H and the API Certification mark.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part nameFord part
number Ford
specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft High Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
PM-1 ESA-M6C25-A and DOT 3
Door
weatherstrips Silicone
LubricantXL-6 ESR-M13P4-A
Door latch,
hood latch,
auxiliary hood
latch, door
hinges, striker
plates, seat
tracks and fuel
filler door hinge Multi-Purpose
Grease
XL-4 or XL-5 ESB-M1C93-B
or
ESR-M1C159-A
Engine coolant Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (VC-7
–B
in Oregon) WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20
–LSP12
(Canada) WSS-M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
2004 Thunderbird
(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
203