2002 bird

[RichJ]

Just drove my new ride home, 160 mile one way.. Des Plaines.IL to the South Haven/Kalamazoo area. Having retired I’m no longer used to driving in Chicago traffic. Can’t believe I commuted SW Mich to Chicago for 30+ years. Any way it’s black on black has 38K miles. It’s not as cramped as I thought it would be and quite graceful over bumps and rumble strips, does not feel like a 20 year old car. No incidents on the way except I took this off ramp marked 60 @ 95 and the check engine light flashed……does it do that because I went over oomph ?
Did they all come with positive-traction?
is there a proffered Ford dealer inSW Mich to have this car checked out?
best place to get an owners manual?
THANKS
sure I’ll have a bunch more questions

Rich

[merlot4]

Welcome to TBN, Rich, many happy miles with your new TBird!
Here's the owner's manual in PDF form:
https://www.ford.com/support/vehicle...owner-manuals/

If your orange engine light went off, you need to have the codes checked, or do it yourself, to see what the cause was.

If those are the original tires/spare, your first order of business is to replace them.

They all have traction control.

Slow down, or your first new item with your car will be a speeding ticket.

[007Cruiser]

Congrats, Rich. I’ve never had what you experienced but then again I don’t take off ramps at 95. Since it only flashed, I wouldn’t be too concerned.

[Gobird]

Time to see a Ford dealer/

[Elky64]

Welcome Rich.
I had to laugh at your ? is there a prefered Ford dealer.....? My experience is that they are all usually quite cordial, but remember you are walking in the door with a car that is 23 years out of production. And a limited production it was... Just find a good local garage or mechanic, who likes his work and he'll keep you going. My experience in Michigan is that there are plenty.

[007Cruiser]

Welcome Rich.
I had to laugh at your ? is there a prefered Ford dealer.....? My experience is that they are all usually quite cordial, but remember you are walking in the door with a car that is 23 years out of production. And a limited production it was... Just find a good local garage or mechanic, who likes his work and he'll keep you going. My experience in Michigan is that there are plenty.

Yes, stay away from the stealership. Find a good independent.

[RichJ]

Thanks for the info, it has Falkens on it, could not decipher the date code. Ordered a set of Michelin Cross Climate 2’s will have them put on tomorrow. Do have a small family shop I deal with and will probably stay with them. Thought that motor might require some special items only dealers had DOH!
that off ramp is a one of item/situation it has a sirens lure for me, 105 in my 92 5L bird, only when there’s no one else there, rare occasion.

Rich

[Sealy]

There seems to be a consensus that Ford dealerships are not the way to go. On the other hand, I do OK with my local Lincoln dealership. The Thunderbird is, essentially, an altered LS, which was in production a good bit longer. Lincoln shops have a little more experience with them.

[RichJ]

There seems to be a consensus that Ford dealerships are not the way to go. On the other hand, I do OK with my local Lincoln dealership. The Thunderbird is, essentially, an altered LS, which was in production a good bit longer. Lincoln shops have a little more experience with them.

Thanks
Rich

[Rodeo Joe]

Car looks great Rich, many happy miles ahead!

Joe

[Tbear]

Rich, congrats on your Bird. it's easy to exceed the speed limits in these cars. Be careful.

[Elky64]

Right , I forgot about the lincoln LS. Sister car, Longer wheelbase 'cause it's a 4-door. Most of the mechanicals are identicle, with 2 more years of production, so a lot more of them.
I think a Lincoln dealer with some long term service employees would be helpfull. To fill in the blanks a little more, the engine was also used in several models of Jaguar and Land Rover for quite a number of years(because Ford owned themat the time). In Jag speak its known as the AJ35 family.It came in a variety of displacements and HP. The engine management and some details are different, whereas the Lincoln is pretty much identicle to the T-Bird.

[Elky64]

Regarding dealers.... there is a new post today by JeriLampon, "Shifter stuck in park"...that you may look over..

[RichJ]

Just got back from having tires mounted,Michelin CrossCountry2’s. One of the highest rated rain tire

[ambitio]

I had those Michelins on the other car. They are great. You will be happy with them.