Ford Thunderbird (2004 year). Manual — part 28

Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and

remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.

If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.

See your dealer or a qualified service technician.

Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission

Your transmission is equipped with an adaptive learning strategy found in
the vehicle computer. This feature is designed to increase durability, and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. Additionally, whenever the battery is
disconnected or a new battery installed, the strategy must be relearned.

P (Park)

This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.

To put your vehicle in gear:
• Start the engine
• Depress the brake pedal

P

R

N

D

5

D

4

3

2

1

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• Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
• Come to a complete stop
• Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and

remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.

R (Reverse)

With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).

N (Neutral)

With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.

Drive 5 (Overdrive)

The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through five.

Drive 4 (Overdrive cancelled)

Activated when the transmission shift lever is moved to the D4 position.
• This position allows for all forward gears 1–4, except overdrive.
• Provides engine braking.
• Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to

other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads and when
engine braking is required.

• To return to D5 (overdrive mode), move the transmission shift lever

into the D5 position.

• Select D4 at higher speeds will cause the transmission to downshift

into fourth gear.

3 (Third)

This position allows for third gear only.
• Provides engine braking.
• To return to D5 or D4, move the transmission shift lever into the D5

or D4 position.

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• Selecting 3 (Third) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to

downshift to third gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.

2 (Second)

This position allows for second gear only.
• Provides engine braking.
• Use to start-up on slippery roads.
• To return to D5 or D4, move the transmission shift lever into the D5,

D4 or 3 (Third) position.

• Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to

downshift to second gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.

1 (First)

This position allows for first gear only.
• Provides maximum engine braking.
• Will not downshift into first gear at high speeds; will cause the

transmission to downshift to a lower gear, then allows for first gear
when the vehicle reaches slower speeds.

Forced downshifts
• Allowed in Overdrive or Drive.
• Depress the accelerator to the floor.
• Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.

Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission with the Select
Shift Transmission (SST) shifter (if equipped)

Understanding gearshift positions

The Select Shift Transmission (SST) shifter allows the driver to select
between the transmission’s automatic shift mode or the manually
selected shift mode.

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Automatic shift mode

Operates like a normal automatic
transmission for P (Park), R
(Reverse), N (Neutral), D5 and D4.

Refer to Driving with a 5–speed
automatic transmission in this
chapter for P (Park), R (Reverse),
N (Neutral), D5 and D4 information.

Manual shift mode

With the gearshift lever in D5
(Overdrive), the gearshift lever can
be moved to the right and into the
manual shift mode. The transmission
will remain in the manual shift mode
until the gearshift lever is moved
back to D5 (Overdrive).

+ and - position operation

These positions allow the driver to
manually select the appropriate
upshift (+) or downshift (-) and
gear range.
• Can only be entered from the D5

position.

• Gear ranges 1–5 provide the same

function and ratio as found in the
D5 or D4 automatic mode
positions.

• Transmission will not upshift or downshift unless the selector lever is

moved forward or rearward.

• One tap forward (+) will command the transmission to upshift one

gear range.

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