2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD traction control

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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2005 Thunderbird(tbr), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
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Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
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 coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir 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 theDrivingchapter for more information.
Low fuel:Illuminates when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty (refer toFuel gaugein this
chapter).
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is activated. Turns
off when the speed control system
is deactivated.
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Instrument Cluster
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drivers must not compromise their own or others’safety when using
such equipment. Mobile Communications can enhance personal safety
and security when appropriately used, particularly in emergency
situations. Safety must be paramount when using mobile communications
equipment to avoid negating these benefits.
Mobile Communication Equipment includes, but is not limited to cellular
phones, pagers, portable email devices, in vehicle communications
systems, telematics devices and portable two-way radios.
A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.
The most important thing you can do to prevent a crash is to
avoid distractions and pay attention to the road. Wait until it is safe to
operate Mobile Communications Equipment.
CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features. These
include:
•Utility compartment
•Cupholders
•Ash tray
Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects can injure you
in a collision.
POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
Position the driver floor mat so that
the eyelet is over the pointed end of
the retention post and rotate
forward to lock in. Make sure that
the mat does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator or the
brake pedal. To remove the floor
mat, reverse the installation
procedure.
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Driver Controls
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INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service, but they
must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
•Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
•Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of
each tire providing information about the tire brand and
manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manufacture.
•Inflation pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
•Standard load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing
the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tire’s
load carrying capability.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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12.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
•Treadwear:The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
12) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
•Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
•Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire
manufacturers’maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at
which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is
normally higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on either the tire label or certification label
which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The cold
inflation pressure should never be set lower than the recommended
pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), pull
the parking brake handle up as far
as possible. The BRAKE warning
lamp will illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the
button (2), pull the handle up
slightly, then push the handle down.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
TRACTION CONTROL
Your vehicle is equipped with a Traction Control
system. This system
helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads
and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction in these conditions.
During Traction Control
operation, the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the engine will not“rev-up”when you push
further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior and should be
no reason for concern.
The Traction Control
switch,
located on the left-hand side of the
instrument panel, has an indicator
light that illuminates when the
system is off. The Traction Control

system will automatically turn on
every time the ignition is turned off
and on.
If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road
P!
BRAKE
OFF
TRAC
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Driving
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surface, try switching the Traction Control
system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to“dig”the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking”maneuver.
If the Traction Control
system is cycled excessively, the brake portion
of the system will shut down to prevent the rear brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Control
function using only engine
torque reduction will still help control wheels from over-spinning. When
the rear brakes have cooled down, the system will again function
normally. Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will
function normally during the cool down period.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control switch’s OFF indicator
will illuminate and your vehicle should be serviced.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control

event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
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Driving
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