Ford Thunderbird (2004 year). Manual — part 26

The lower anchors for child seat
installation are located at the rear
section of the passenger seat
between the cushion and seat back.

Follow the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions to properly install safety
seats with LATCH attachments.

Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the
anchors shown.

If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten
the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the seat when the child
is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without raising the front
of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the front of the
vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash. Each time you
use the child seat, check that the seat is properly attached to the lower
anchors for child seat installation and tether anchors. Try to tilt the seat
from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if the
anchors hold the seat in place.

If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a collision greatly increases.

Seating and Safety Restraints

108

STARTING

Positions of the ignition

1. LOCK, locks the gearshift lever
and allows key removal. (The
steering wheel will not lock after
key removal.)

2. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories except the radio,
convertible top control and the
power windows if accessory delay is
active. This position also allows the
automatic transmission shift lever to be moved from the P (Park)
position without the brake pedal being depressed.

When the key is in the ignition and in the OFF position, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P

(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted
vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.

3. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.

4. RUN, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.

5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.

Preparing to start your vehicle

Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.

When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the engine in this chapter.

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3

4

5

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Driving

Driving

109

Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk

of fire or other damage.

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine

compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.

Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door

before you start the engine. See Guarding against exhaust fumes in
this chapter for more instructions.

If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell

exhaust fumes.

Important safety precautions

When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.

Before starting the vehicle:

1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the Seating
and Safety Restraints chapter.

2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.

3. Make sure the parking brake is
set.

4. Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).

Driving

110

• Turn the key to 4 (ON) without

turning the key to 5 (START).

Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
• If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the

light may not illuminate.

Starting the engine

1. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).

2. Turn the key to 5 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.

Note: If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to OFF, wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.

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4

5

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Driving

111