Page 3 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual *
[PI00560(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information .............................1
Safety Restraints ............................................9
Starting Your Taurus .................... FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual *
[PI00560(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information .............................1
Safety Restraints ............................................9
Starting Your Taurus ....................](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-2.png)
*
[PI00560(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information .............................1
Safety Restraints ............................................9
Starting Your Taurus ..................................59
Warning Lights and Gauges .....................71
Instrument Panel Controls ........................91
Steering Column Controls ......................115
Features ........................................................125
Electronic Sound Systems .......................169
Driving Your Taurus ................................191
Roadside Emergencies ..............................217
Customer Assistance .................................237
Reporting Safety Defects .........................244
Accessories ..................................................249
Servicing Your Taurus .............................255
Quick Index ................................................341
Index .............................................................357
Service Station Information ....................380
File:01fcpit.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:39:52 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 5 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 2
*
[IN01000(ALL)04/95]
q
Integrity is never compromised.Our conduct
worldwide must be pursued in a manner that
is socially responsible and commands respect
for its integrity and for its positive
cont FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 2
*
[IN01000(ALL)04/95]
q
Integrity is never compromised.Our conduct
worldwide must be pursued in a manner that
is socially responsible and commands respect
for its integrity and for its positive
cont](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-4.png)
2
*
[IN01000(ALL)04/95]
q
Integrity is never compromised.Our conduct
worldwide must be pursued in a manner that
is socially responsible and commands respect
for its integrity and for its positive
contributions to society.
*
[IN01100(ALL)08/95]
Things to Know About Using
This Guide
*
[IN01200(ALL)08/95]
Congratulations on the purchase of your new
vehicle. This guide has information about the
equipment and the options for your new vehicle.
You may not have bought all of the options
available to you. If you do not know which
information applies to your vehicle, talk to your
dealer.
*
[IN01300(ALL)08/95]
This guide describes equipment and gives
specifications for equipment that was in effect
when this guide was approved for printing. Ford
may discontinue models or change specifications
or design without any notice and without
incurring obligation.
*
[IN01400(ALL)07/95]
NOTES and WARNINGS
*
[IN01420(ALL)05/95]
NOTESgive you additional information about
the subject matter you are referencing.
*
[IN01440(ALL)05/95]
WARNINGSremind you to be especially careful
in those areas where carelessness can cause
damage to your vehicle or personal injury to
yourself, your passengers or other people. Please
read allWARNINGScarefully.
*
[IN01460(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
File:02fcint.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:41:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 8 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 5
%*
[IN06000(ALL)01/95]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
*
[IN06100(ALL)03/95]
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 5
%*
[IN06000(ALL)01/95]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
*
[IN06100(ALL)03/95]
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-7.png)
5
%*
[IN06000(ALL)01/95]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
*
[IN06100(ALL)03/95]
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in
period, you need to pay careful attention to how
you drive your vehicle.
%*
[IN06300(ALL)01/95]
q
Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehicle
has new brake linings, you should take these
steps:
*
[IN06400(ALL)01/95]
Ð Watch traffic carefully so that you can
anticipate when to stop.
*
[IN06500(ALL)01/95]
Ð Begin braking well in advance.
*
[IN06600(ALL)01/95]
Ð Apply the brakes gradually.
*
[IN06700(ALL)01/95]
The break-in period for new brake linings
lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or
1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.
%*
[IN06800(ALL)01/95]
q
Use only the type of engine oil that Ford
recommends.SeeEngine oil recommendations
in the Index. Do not use special ªbreak-inº
oils.
[IN06810(ALL)04/95]
Safety Labels
[IN06820(ALL)04/95]
There are labels, decals and tags on your vehicle
to alert you about possible hazards. The signal
word on the label tells you the degree of hazard
and is used in the following ways:
[IN06830(ALL)04/95]
q
DANGER:Used to indicate the presence of a
hazard which will cause severe personal
injury or death if the warning is ignored.
[IN06840(ALL)04/95]
q
WARNING:Used to indicate the presence of
a hazard which can cause severe personal
injury or death if the warning is ignored.
[IN06850(ALL)04/95]
q
CAUTION:Used to indicate the presence of a
hazard which will or can cause minor
personal injury or property damage if the
warning is ignored.
File:02fcint.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:41:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 11 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 9
Safety Restraints
%*
[SR00500(ALL)04/95]
Important Safety Belt Information
*
[SR00600(ALL)03/95]
The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and
your passengers in case of a collision. In most
sta FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 9
Safety Restraints
%*
[SR00500(ALL)04/95]
Important Safety Belt Information
*
[SR00600(ALL)03/95]
The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and
your passengers in case of a collision. In most
sta](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-10.png)
9
Safety Restraints
%*
[SR00500(ALL)04/95]
Important Safety Belt Information
*
[SR00600(ALL)03/95]
The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and
your passengers in case of a collision. In most
states and in Canada the law requires their use.
*
[SR00700(ALL)08/95]
Safety belts provide best restraint when:
*
[SR00800(ALL)08/95]
q
the seatback is upright
*
[SR00900(ALL)08/95]
q
the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)
*
[SR01000(ALL)08/95]
q
the lap belt is snug and low on the hips
*
[SR01100(ALL)08/95]
q
the shoulder belt is snug against the chest
*
[SR01200(ALL)08/95]
q
the knees are straight forward
*
[SR02200(ALL)07/95]
To help you remember to fasten your safety belt,
a warning light may come on and a chime may
sound. SeeSafety Belt Warning Light and Chimein
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
*
[SR02300(ALL)07/95]
See the following sections in this chapter for
directions on how to properly use these safety
belts. Also seeSafety Restraints for Childrenin this
chapter for special instructions about using
safety belts for children.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 12 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 10
*
[SR02350(ALL)12/95]
RWARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a collision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously injure FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 10
*
[SR02350(ALL)12/95]
RWARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a collision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously injure](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-11.png)
10
*
[SR02350(ALL)12/95]
RWARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a collision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.
%*
[SR02400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Make sure that you and your passengers
wear safety belts. Always drive and ride
with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
*
[SR02700(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never wear the shoulder belt under the
arm. Never swing it around the neck over
the inside shoulder. Never use a single
belt for more than one person or across
more than one seating position. Each
seating position in your vehicle has a
specific safety belt assembly which is
made up of one buckle and one tongue
that are designed to be used as a pair.
Failure to follow these precautions could
increase the risk and/or severity of injury
in a collision.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 13 of 369
11
*
[SR02850(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies and attaching hardware should
be inspected by a qualified technician
after any collision. Safety belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also
be inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is noted.
*
[SR02900(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury in a
collision, children should always ride with
the seatback upright.
*
[SR03000(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
Never let a passenger hold a child on his
or her lap while the vehicle is moving.
The passenger cannot protect the child
from injury in a collision.
*
[SR03200(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Lock the doors of your vehicle before
driving to lessen the risk of the door
coming open in a collision.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 16 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 14 %
*
[SR05725(ALL)08/95]
Automatic locking mode
*
[SR05750(ALL)08/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt
retractor will be automatically locked and will
remain locked when the combination
lap FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 14 %
*
[SR05725(ALL)08/95]
Automatic locking mode
*
[SR05750(ALL)08/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt
retractor will be automatically locked and will
remain locked when the combination
lap](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-15.png)
14 %
*
[SR05725(ALL)08/95]
Automatic locking mode
*
[SR05750(ALL)08/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt
retractor will be automatically locked and will
remain locked when the combination
lap/shoulder safety belt is buckled, and does not
allow the occupant freedom of movement. This
mode provides the following:
*
[SR05775(ALL)08/95]
q
A tight lap/shoulder belt on the occupant.
*
[SR05800(ALL)08/95]
q
Child safety seat installation.
*
[SR05810(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
Rear-facing infant seats should never be
placed in the front seats.
*
[SR05825(ALL)09/95]
This modemust be usedwhen installing a child
safety seat on the front passenger seat and rear
outboard seats where dual locking retractors are
provided.
*
[SR05830(ALL)08/95]
To switch the retractor from the emergency
locking mode to the automatic locking mode,
perform the following steps:
*
[SR05875(ALL)08/95]
1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt.
*
[SR05900(ALL)09/95]
2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until all of the belt is
extracted and, when allowed to retract, a
clicking sound is heard. At this time, the belt
retractor is in the automatic locking mode
(child restraint mode).
*
[SR05925(ALL)08/95]
3. A clicking sound will continue to be heard
as the belt is allowed to retract. This
indicates that the retractor is in the
automatic locking mode.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 18 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 16
*
[SR05968(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Position the shoulder belt height adjuster
so that the belt rests across the middle of
your shoulder. Be sure the shoulder belt is
properly positioned on your shoulde FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 16
*
[SR05968(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Position the shoulder belt height adjuster
so that the belt rests across the middle of
your shoulder. Be sure the shoulder belt is
properly positioned on your shoulde](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-17.png)
16
*
[SR05968(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Position the shoulder belt height adjuster
so that the belt rests across the middle of
your shoulder. Be sure the shoulder belt is
properly positioned on your shoulder each
time you use the belt. If the shoulder belt
is off your shoulder, on your upper arm
or neck, there is a greater risk of severe
injury in a collision.
[SR06000(ALL)04/95]
Safety Belts for Rear-Facing Occupants
(Wagon)
[SR06050(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never use child safety seats in the third
seat of a wagon.
[SR06060(ALL)10/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with safety seat belts
containing an adjust tongue at the rear-facing
seating positions.
[SR06075(ALL)10/95]
When the adjust tongue of the lap/shoulder
combination seat belt is latched into the buckle,
the tongue will allow the lap portion to become
shorter, but locks the webbing in place to restrict
it from becoming longer.
[SR06125(ALL)10/95]
Before you can reach and latch a combination
lap and shoulder belt having an adjust tongue
into the buckle, you may have to lengthen the
lap belt portion of it. To lengthen the lap belt,
pull some webbing out of the shoulder belt
retractor. While holding the webbing below the
tongue, grasp the tongue so that it is parallel to
the webbing and slide the tongue upward.
Provide enough lap belt length so that the
tongue can reach the buckle.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com