2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD octane

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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with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of“Premium ”
unleaded gasoline. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world ’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning ”gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
• You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
• Your “Check Engine ”indicator may come on. For more information on
the “Check Engine ”indicator, refer to the Instrument Cluster
chapter.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate
intervals for changing the fuel filter.
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Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend taking
fuel economy measurements during the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of
driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3,000 km–5,000 km (2,000 miles-3,000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in the Refill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
• Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
• Use the same filling rate setting (low —medium —high) each time
the tank is filled.
• Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
• Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
• Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
• Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
• Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
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ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.9L-4V V8 engine
Displacement 3 949 cc (241 cid)
Required fuel 91 octane
Firing order 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Spark plug gap 0.99-1.09 mm (0.039-0.043 inch)
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 10.75:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions mm (in)
(1) Overall length 4732mm (186.3 in)
(2) Overall width 1829mm (72.0 in)
(3) Overall height 1323 mm (52.1 in)
(4) Wheelbase 2722 mm (107.2 in)
(5) Track - Front 1537 mm (60.5 in)
(5) Track - Rear 1529 mm (60.2 in)
4
1
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Exhaust fumes ..........................112
F
Fail safe cooling ........................174
Floor mats ...................................60
Fluid capacities .........................201
Fuel ............................................175calculating fuel economy .......180
cap ...........................................177
capacity ...................................201
choosing the right fuel ...........178
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................182
detergent in fuel .....................179
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................175, 177, 180
filter, specifications ........179, 201
improving fuel economy ........180
octane rating ...................178, 205
quality ......................................179
running out of fuel .................179
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................175
Fuses ..................................127 –128
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless
control system) ...........................46
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............177
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................180
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................126
Head restraints ...........................73 Headlamps ...................................27
aiming ........................................29
autolamp system .......................27
bulb specifications ....................31
daytime running lights .............27
flash to pass ..............................28
replacing bulbs .........................32
turning on and off ....................27
Heating heating and air conditioning
system .......................................22
HomeLink universal
transceiver
(see Garage door opener) .........49
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................46
Hood ..........................................164
I
Ignition ...............................109, 205
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................100
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................184
Instrument panel cleaning ...................................160
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................28
J
Jack ............................................136 positioning ...............................136
storage .....................................136
Jump-starting your vehicle ......141
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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
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
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