Page 275 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 278 [SV18300(ALL)11/94]
RWARNING
Never remove the pressure cap while the
engine is running or hot to avoid personal
injury that can be caused by escaping
steam or engine coolant.
[SV18500(ALL)04/95]
1 FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 278 [SV18300(ALL)11/94]
RWARNING
Never remove the pressure cap while the
engine is running or hot to avoid personal
injury that can be caused by escaping
steam or engine coolant.
[SV18500(ALL)04/95]
1](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-274.png)
278 [SV18300(ALL)11/94]
RWARNING
Never remove the pressure cap while the
engine is running or hot to avoid personal
injury that can be caused by escaping
steam or engine coolant.
[SV18500(ALL)04/95]
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine
off and let it cool. Even when the engine is
cool, be careful when you remove the cap.
[SV18600(ALL)02/95]
2. When the engine is cold, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to relieve pressure.
*
[SV18700(ALL)09/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
*
[SV18800(ALL)09/95]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to turn and
remove cap.
*
[SV18900(ALL)02/95]
5. Stand away from the reservoir opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
*
[SV19000(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these instructions could
result in serious personal injury from hot
engine coolant or steam blowout and/or
damage to the engine cooling system or
engine.
*
[SV19050(ALL)09/95]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture
your vehicle's coolant system can hold, seeRefill
capacities for fluidsin the Index.
[SV19100(ALL)04/95]
Add engine coolant only to the coolant
reservoir.If the coolant level is low, add to the
reservoir a 50/50 mixture of water and the type
of engine coolant that Ford specifies. You may
add water by itself only in an emergency, but
you should replace it with a 50/50 mixture as
soon as possible.
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Page 278 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 281
*
[SV19400(ALL)08/95]
Engine Coolant Refill Procedure
*
[SV19450(ALL)01/95]
When the entire cooling system is drained and
refilled, the following procedure should be used
to ensure a complete fill FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 281
*
[SV19400(ALL)08/95]
Engine Coolant Refill Procedure
*
[SV19450(ALL)01/95]
When the entire cooling system is drained and
refilled, the following procedure should be used
to ensure a complete fill](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-277.png)
281
*
[SV19400(ALL)08/95]
Engine Coolant Refill Procedure
*
[SV19450(ALL)01/95]
When the entire cooling system is drained and
refilled, the following procedure should be used
to ensure a complete fill:
[SV19500(ALL)04/95]
q
With the engine OFF and cool, remove the
pressure cap, located on the coolant reservoir.
[SV19550(ALL)04/95]
q
Add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water to the coolant reservoir. Refer toRefill
Capacitieslater in this chapter for the correct
amount.
[SV19600(ALL)02/95]
q
Continue to fill the reservoir until the coolant
is at the top of the cold fill range.
[SV19650(ALL)04/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap until it clicks.
*
[SV19700(ALL)05/95]
q
Start and idle the engine until the radiator
upper hose is warm (this indicates the
thermostat is open and coolant is flowing
through the entire system).
[SV19750(ALL)04/95]
q
Immediately shut off the engine and let cool.
Cautiously remove the pressure cap and add
a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water until the coolant is within the cold fill
range in the coolant reservoir.
[SV19800(ALL)02/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap until a click is
heard and felt.
*
[SV19850(ALL)03/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock.
*
[SV19900(ALL)03/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
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![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 284
*
[SV22400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
%*
[SV22500(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 284
*
[SV22400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
%*
[SV22500(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-280.png)
284
*
[SV22400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
%*
[SV22500(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
[SV22550(ALL)04/95]
RWARNING
Washer solution contains methanol which
is poisonous. Observe all warnings
indicated on label of washer solution.
% [SV22600(ALL)06/94]
Checking the washer fluid for the
liftgate (If equipped)
[SV23100(ALL)04/95]
If your wagon has a rear window wiper, check
the reservoir for its washer fluid regularly. This
is not the same reservoir that your windshield
wipers use. The opening for this reservoir is on
the right side of the liftgate opening, below the
tail lamp. Refill this reservoir with the same
solution you use for your windshield. To find
out how much washer fluid the reservoir holds,
seeRefill Capacitieslater in this chapter.
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328
*
[SV42650(ALL)07/95]
Refill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts,
and Lubricant Specifications
%*
[SV42700(ALL)07/95]
Refill Capacities
[SV42720( T)10/95]
twenty-six pica chart:0000329-PFile:15fcsvt.ex
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Page 348 of 369

358 Index
Anti-theft lug nuts and key........ 232
Anti-theft system
arming the system.......... 138
triggering.............. 138
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 240
Assistance (see Customer assistance).... 237
Audio system
(see Electronic sound system)..... 169
Autolamp system (see Headlamps).... 108
Automatic transaxle
driving with...........191, 195
fluid, adding............. 298
fluid, checking............ 296
fluid, refill capacities......... 328
fluid, specification........... 330
Axle
lubricant specifications......... 330
refill capacities............ 328
B
Backing up.............193, 198
Basic vehicle warranty........... 4
Battery
acid, treating emergencies....... 217
battery saver............. 113
charging system warning light...... 74
disconnecting............. 282
jumping a disabled battery....... 217
proper disposal, recycling....... 283
replacement, specifications....... 329
servicing............... 282
when storing your vehicle....... 333
Brake fluid
brake warning light........... 73
checking and adding......... 298
description.............. 298
specifications............. 330
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Index 359
Brakelamp
high-mount brakelamp........ 319
lamp out warning light......... 87
Brakes
adjustment.............. 202
anti-lock............... 203
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light............ 81
applying the brakes.......... 202
brake warning light........... 73
fluid, checking and adding...... 298
fluid, refill capacities......... 298
fluid, specifications.......... 330
front disc.............. 202
master cylinder............ 298
new brake linings............ 5
noise................ 203
parking............... 205
servicing............... 298
trailer................ 215
when storing your vehicle....... 333
Brake-shift interlock.........192, 196
Break-in period.............. 5
Brights (high beams)......... 76,115
Built-in child seat............. 46
Built-in child seat, cleaning......... 57
Bulbs, replacing
headlamps.............. 313
high-mount brakelamp........ 319
specifications............. 322
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360 Index
C
Canada, customer assistance....... 245
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
(CAMVAP).............. 246
Capacities for refilling fluids....... 328
Carbon monoxide in exhaust........ 68
Cargo cover............... 162
Cargo net................ 161
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)......... 33
Cassette tape player (see Electronic
sound system)............ 177
Catalytic converter............ 323
CD player (see Electronic sound system) . . 182
Chains, tires.............. 294
Changing a tire............. 222
Charging system warning light....... 74
Childproof locks............. 125
Child safety restraints........... 31
child safety belts............ 57
child safety seats............ 33
Child safety seats
and air bags............ 26,33
attaching with tether straps....... 43
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . 14, 33
built-in................ 46
in front seat.............. 35
in rear outboard seat.......... 35
tether anchorage hardware........ 44
Chime
headlamps on.............. 77
key in ignition............. 60
safety belt............... 73
Cleaning your vehicle
built-in child seat............ 57
CD player and discs.......... 187
chrome and aluminum parts....... 7
engine compartment.......... 264
exterior................ 6
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362 Index
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 276
drain and flush............ 280
preparing for storage......... 333
refill capacities............ 328
specifications............. 330
temperature gauge........... 82
Cooling fan............... 256
Cruise control............. 120
Cupholder(s).............. 156
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.) . . 239
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........239, 245
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)...... 91
Daytime running light system...... 107
Defects, reporting............ 244
Defrost
rear window and side view mirrors. . . 104
windshield............ 95,103
Dipstick
automatic transaxle fluid........ 296
engine oil.............. 273
power steering fluid.......... 300
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 233
Dispute Settlement Board........ 240
Doors................. 125
childproof locks............ 125
door ajar warning light......... 77
lubricant specifications......... 330
Driving under special conditions
bad weather............. 206
heavy load.............. 208
high speed.............. 290
high water.............. 208
slippery roads............ 206
tips for safe driving.......... 206
towing a trailer............ 211
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