1996 FORD TAURUS check engine

83
conditions. Under certain driving conditions,
such as heavy stop and go traffic or driving up
hills in hot weather, the pointer may move to
the top of the Normal band.
[LG09005(ALL)02/95]
one third page art:0001095-B
Engine coolant temperature gauge
[LG09100(ALL)05/95]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the Normal band, the engine coolant is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.
*
[LG09150(ALL)01/95]
If your engine coolant overheats:
*
[LG09200(ALL)03/95]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[LG09300(ALL)01/95]
2. Turn off the engine.
*
[LG09400(ALL)05/95]
3. Let the engine cool.
*
[LG09410(ALL)04/95]
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, seeEngine Coolantin the
Index. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
[LG09415(ALL)11/94]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
cooling system serviced.
File:05fclgt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:14:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

87 [LG14750(ALL)12/95]
Low Coolant Light and Chime
[LG14850(ALL)04/95]
This light indicates that the level of the engine
coolant is low inside the coolant reservoir.
[LG14950(ALL)04/95]
one inch art:0000114-C
Low coolant light
[LG15000(ALL)12/95]
This light comes on for a few seconds when
your ignition key is turned to the ON position,
but should turn off when the engine starts. If the
coolant is low, the light will come on and a
single chime will sound. If this light stays on,
check the level of coolant inside the coolant
reservoir. For instructions on adding coolant
mixture, seeEngine coolantin the Index.
% [LG15150(ALL)12/95]
Low Washer Fluid Light
*
[LG15250(ALL)02/95]
This light comes on if the reservoir is less than a
quarter full when you turn on the windshield
washers.
[LG15350(ALL)04/95]
one inch art:0000118-B
Low washer fluid light
% [LG16100(ALL)12/95]
Rear Lamp Out Indicator
[LG16200(ALL)12/95]
This light indicates that a rear tail lamp or
brakelamp is not functioning. It comes on
momentarily when the ignition is turned to the
ON position, then goes out.
File:05fclgt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:14:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

192 %
*
[DR03800(ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
*
[DR04001(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you
move the gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move
unexpectedly and injure someone.
*
[DR04050(ALL)03/95]
To operate:
*
[DR04101(ALL)01/95]
1. Start the engine.
*
[DR04150(ALL)01/95]
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[DR04201(ALL)01/95]
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
%*
[DR04250(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. This
feature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be
moved from P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
*
[DR04300(ALL)01/95]
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
[DR04350(ALL)11/94]
2. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise
to the first position (OFF).
[DR04400(ALL)11/94]
3. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
*
[DR04425(ALL)07/95]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledServicing Your Taurus
in this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

196
*
[DR06745(ALL)03/95]
To operate:
*
[DR06750(ALL)01/95]
1. Start the engine.
*
[DR06755(ALL)01/95]
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[DR06760(ALL)01/95]
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
%*
[DR06765(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. This
feature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be
moved from P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
*
[DR06770(ALL)01/95]
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
[DR06775(ALL)11/94]
2. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise
to the first position (OFF).
[DR06780(ALL)11/94]
3. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
*
[DR06781(ALL)07/95]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledServicing Your Taurus
in this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
*
[DR06783(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

201
*
[DR10175(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR10225(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
[DR10275(ALL)11/94]
You can tell a console-mounted gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) if you cannot move
it without pushing in the thumb button.
%
*
[DR15600(ALL)01/95]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[DR15800(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
[DR15970(ALL)11/94]
Your vehicle has variable-assist steering. This
system provides light power steering efforts for
parking and heavier power steering efforts for
highway driving. If you notice that the power
steering effort does not change according to the
speed you are traveling, or if the power steering
system is not working, have the system checked.
%*
[DR16100(ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[DR16150(ALL)01/95]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

204
*
[DR17600(ALL)05/95]
Each time you turn the ignition key to the ON
position, the ABS will function through one test
cycle. When this happens, the ABS light will
come on for up to five seconds. If the light stays
on longer than five seconds, shut off the engine
and restart. If it remains on, it means the ABS is
disabled and should be serviced immediately to
restore the benefits of the anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the red
BRAKE system warning light is also lit.
*
[DR17650(ALL)05/95]
ABS has self-check capabilities. As described
above, the system turns on the ABS light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is
started and the ABS light turns off, the system
performs another test the first time the vehicle
reaches 4-9 mph (6-15 km/h). The system turns
on the ABS pump motor for approximately 1/2
second. At this time, a mechanical noise may be
heard. This is a normal part of the self-check
feature. If a malfunction is found during this
check the ABS light will come on.
[DR17675(ALL)02/95]
Vehicles with ABS are identified with a label on
the front door pillar.
*
[DR17700(ALL)08/95]
Ford Motor Company has not found any
negative effects of mobile radio transmitting
equipment installed on vehicles with the ABS
system providing that the radio is installed
according to the radio manufacturer's
instructions. However, if you have had a mobile
radio transmitter installed and the ABS light
comes on (at any time other than immediately
after turning the key to the ON position) have
your mobile radio dealer inspect the radio
installation. Also, if the ABS system is activated
other than during maximum braking, have your
mobile radio installation checked.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

206
*
[DR19000(ALL)06/95]
The parking brake is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
*
[DR19050(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
%
*
[DR19100(ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[DR19200(ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[DR19300(ALL)07/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[DR19400(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
%*
[DR19750(ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[DR19800(ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
*
[DR19900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel
drive may provide better acceleration than
rear-wheel drive. However, this does not mean
that your vehicle can stop any faster or any
better than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.
Exercise the same caution while driving on
slippery roads with your front-wheel drive
vehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

218
*
[RE00850(ALL)07/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[RE00900(ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
*
[RE01000(ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
*
[RE01100(ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01200(ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[RE01300(ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01400(ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
[RE01500(ALL)04/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. If
you have electronic climate control, press the
VF-DEF button. Turn off all other switches
and lights.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com