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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Maintenance and Specifications 163
Engine compartment 164
Engine oil 165
Battery 168
Fuel information 175
Air filter(s) 187
Part numbers 201
Refill capacities 201
Lubricant specifications 203
Accessories 210
Index 212
All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval
system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company. Ford may change the contents without
notice and without incurring obligation.Copyright © 2003 Ford Motor Company
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Table of Contents
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Page 4 of 216

CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations on acquiring your new Ford Motor Company product.
Please take the time to get well acquainted with your vehicle by reading
this handbook. The more you know and understand about your vehicle
the greater the safety and pleasure you will derive from driving it.
For more information on Ford Motor Company and its products visit the
following website:
• In the United States: www.ford.com
• In Canada: www.ford.ca
• In Mexico: www.ford.com.mx
• In Australia: www.ford.com.au
Additional owner information is given in separate publications.
This Owner’s Guide describes every option and model variant available
and therefore some of the items covered may not apply to your
particular vehicle. Furthermore, due to printing cycles it may describe
options before they are generally available.
Remember to pass on the Owner’s Guide when reselling the vehicle. It is
an integral part of the vehicle.
Fuel pump shut-off switch In the event of an accident the
safety switch will automatically cut off the fuel supply to the
engine. The switch can also be activated through sudden vibration (e.g.
collision when parking). To reset the switch, refer to the Fuel pump
shut-off switch in theRoadside emergencies chapter.
2004 Thunderbird(tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Introduction
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 9 of 216
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Introduction
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Page 10 of 216

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Emission system/Check engine:
The Check Engine indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II) in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap: Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Emission
system/Check engine warning light
to come on. Refer to Fuel Filler Capin theMaintenance and
Specifications chapter.
CHECK
FUELCAP
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
Instrument Cluster
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Page 12 of 216

Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer to Engine oilin
the Maintenance and
specifications chapter.
Engine coolant temperature:
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the
vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let cool. Refer to
Engine coolant in theMaintenance and specifications chapter.
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Transmission PRNDL indicator:
Displays the gearshift positions. If
an “E ” character is displayed or
flashing, this indicates a
transmission malfunction, contact your dealer immediately. Operating the
transmission with the “E ” character illuminated may cause additional
damage to the transmission.
Traction Control active:
Illuminates when the Traction
Control is active. If the light
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately, refer to the Drivingchapter for more information.
Low fuel: Illuminates when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty (refer to Fuel gaugein this
chapter).
Speed control: Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Odometer:Registers the total
kilometers (miles) of the vehicle.
Trip odometer: Registers the
kilometers (miles) of individual
journeys. To reset, depress the
RESET control. To switch the
display from Trip A to the Trip B, depress the A/B control.
Tachometer: Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
Fuel gauge: Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
Refer to Filling the tank in the
Maintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
15