Forced Downshifts; Understanding Gearshift Positions; Automatic Shift Mode - Ford 2003 Thunderbird Owner's Manual

• 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)
• Provides maximum engine braking.
• Allows upshifts by moving shift lever.
• 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.

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.
2003 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
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