2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD tow

Tires, Wheels and Loading 109
Tire Information 110
Changing tires 114
Lug Nut Torque 120
Vehicle loading 130
Trailer towing 134
Recreational towing 135
Driving 136
Starting 136
Brakes 139
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 141
Transmission operation 143
Roadside Emergencies 149
Getting roadside assistance 149
Hazard flasher switch 150
Fuel pump shut-off switch 150
Fuses and relays 151
Jump starting 160
Wrecker towing 166
Customer Assistance 167
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 175
Cleaning 176
Table of Contents
2
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SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
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Introduction
5

For information regarding SIRIUS Satellite Radio, please call toll-free
888-539-SIRIUS (888-539-7474) or visit the SIRIUS website at
www.siriusradio.com
RADIO FREQUENCIES
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM - 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM- 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can effect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CD/CD PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
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Entertainment Systems
20

•Do not place items over the
climate temperature sensor grid.
This may cause improper
operation of the system.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Ensure that recirculation is disengaged.
3. Set the temperature control to full heat.
4. Set the fan to the highest speed.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
Press the rear window defroster
control to clear the rear window of
thin ice or fog. The light above the
control will illuminate to indicate
that the rear defrost is operating.
The ignition must be in the RUN position and the engine running in
order to operate the rear window defroster.
The rear window defroster turns off automatically after a predetermined
amount of time, if a low battery condition is detected, or if the ignition is
turned to the OFF position. To manually turn off the rear window
defroster at any time, press the control again.
Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean the inside
of the rear window or to remove decals from the inside of the
rear window. This may cause damage to the heated grid lines and
will not be covered by your warranty.
R
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Climate Controls
25

Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Pull toward you until control stops
to activate. Repeat to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel during parklamp,
headlamp and autolamp operation.
•Rotate up to brighten.
•Rotate down to dim.
•Rotate fully up to turn on the
floor and dome lights.
Note:When the headlamp switch is in the autolamp position, the panel
dimmer control is only active when the autolamp has determined that it
is night.
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Lights
28

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.
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Lights
36

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:Rotate the end
of the control away from you to
increase the speed of the wipers;
rotate towards you to decrease the
speed of the wipers.
Windshield washer:Push the end
of the stalk:
•briefly: causes a single swipe of
the wipers without washer fluid.
•a quick push and hold: the wipers
will swipe three times with
washer fluid.
•a long push and hold: the wipers and washer fluid will be activated for
up to ten seconds.
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Turn the blade at an angle
from the wiper arm. Push the lock
pin manually to release the blade
and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it
from the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
3. Replace wiper blades every 6
months for optimum performance.
4. Poor wiper quality can sometimes
be improved by cleaning the wiper
blades, refer toWindow and wiper
bladesin theCleaningchapter.
5. To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
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Driver Controls
Driver Controls
38

POWER TILT/TELESCOPE STEERING COLUMN
The steering column can be
adjusted manually by moving the
four-way rocker adjustment control
located below the turn signal/wiper
control stalk. Hold the control to
adjust.
The telescope function is adjusted
by moving the control toward the
driver to telescope out and toward
the instrument panel to telescope
in.
The tilt function is adjusted by moving the control up or down.
During easy exit, when you remove the key, the column will move to the
full in and up position. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the
column will return to the previous setting.
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12VDC)
Power outlets are designed for
accessory plugs only. Do not
hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug.
Improper use of the power
outlet can cause damage not
covered by your warranty.
The auxiliary power point is located on the instrument panel.
Do not plug optional electrical accessories into the cigarette lighter. Use
the power point.
Do not use the power point for operating the cigarette lighter element.
The Maximum power each power point can supply depends on the fuse
rating. For example: a 20A fuse should supply a maximum of 240 Watts,
a 15A fuse should supply a maximum of 180 Watts and a 10A fuse should
supply a maximum of 120 Watts. Exceeding these limits will result in a
blown fuse.
Always keep the power point caps closed when not being used.
PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF ON
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Driver Controls
39