Recommended Shift Speeds; If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud Or Snow; Driving Through Water - Ford 2003 Thunderbird Owner's Manual

• If shifter (-) is tapped more than once in rapid succession, the
transmission will downshift only into the next lower gear, then when
the vehicle reaches a speed below a calibrated entry speed, the
transmission will allow a downshift into the next lower gear if again
selected by the driver. This is to prevent engine and transmission
damage and to keep the engine and transmission within allowable
RPM ranges.
• An electronic indicator on the instrument cluster will display the
selected gear.

Recommended shift speeds

Upshift according to the following chart:
Recommended upshift schedule
1 - 2
2 - 3
3 - 4
4 - 5

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.

DRIVING THROUGH WATER

If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine's air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes. Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal transmission
damage.
2003 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Shift from:
24 km/h (15 mph)
40 km/h (25 mph)
64 km/h (40 mph)
72 km/h (45 mph)
Driving
115