1996 Ford Thunderbird Owner's Manual - Page 258

u Avoid fully loading your vehicle if possible. u Remove tire chains at the first opportunity Cleaning the Wheels after using them on snow and ice. Do not use the chains on dry roads. Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives, fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to remove grease and tar. NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are abrasive. Automatic Transmission Fluid Under normal circumstances, you do not need to check the fluid level of the transmission, since your vehicle does not use up transmission fluid. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet for replacement intervals. However, if the transmission is not working properly - for instance, the transmission may slip or shift slowly, or you may notice some sign of fluid leakage - the fluid level should be checked. Checking the Automatic Transmission Fluid It is preferable to check the transmission fluid level at normal operating temperature 150˚F-170˚F (66˚C-77˚C), after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of driving. However, if necessary, you can check the fluid level without having to drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal operating temperature if outside temperatures are above 50˚F (10˚C). 256