1996 FORD TAURUS fuel

122 [SC09011(ALL)09/95]NOTE: If your speed increases above your set
speed while driving in
j(Overdrive)
on a downhill grade, you may want to
shift to D (Drive) to reduce vehicle
speed (or, turn
j[Overdrive] off by
depressing the O/D OFF switch on the
gearshift lever). The cruise control
cannot reduce the vehicle speed if it
goes above your set speed on a
downhill grade. For the best fuel
economy during normal driving
conditions, leave the gearshift in
j
(Overdrive), or resume as soon as
practical.
*
[SC09100(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the speed control in heavy
traffic or on roads that are winding,
slippery, or unpaved.
%*
[SC09200(ALL)08/95]
Accelerating With the Cruise Control
Operating
*
[SC09300(ALL)08/95]
You can use the accelerator pedal to speed up
momentarily. When you take your foot off the
accelerator, the vehicle will return to the set
speed.
% [SC09340(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: When driving in hilly terrain, at high
altitudes, or when pulling a trailer, you
may want to drive in D (Drive) (or
turnj[Overdrive] off by depressing
the O/D OFF switch). This will
improve cruise control performance.
File:07fcsct.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:52:32 1996
ProCarManuals.com

154
*
[FV27200(ALL)06/94]
4. Return the selector switch to the middle
position to keep the mirror in place.
[FV27250(ALL)02/95]
5. To activate the heated feature of the outside
rearview mirror, turn on the rear window
defrost by pushing the R-DEF button on the
instrument panel.
%*
[FV27275(ALL)01/95]
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror
with harsh abrasives, fuel or other
petroleum-based cleaning products.
%
*
[FV27300(ALL)05/95]
Sun Visors
*
[FV27400(ALL)03/95]
Using the Sun Visors
[FV27500(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle may have special sun visors.
Besides the regular sun visor, you may have a
second sun visor. By using both the regular sun
visor and the second visor, you shield the sun
from both the front and the side of the vehicle
at the same time.
*
[FV27600(ALL)03/95]
To block the sun, move the main visor sideways
and flip the second visor down.
[FV27700(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0001408-A
The sun visor
File:08fcfvt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:57:12 1996
ProCarManuals.com

164 [FV39850(ALL)02/95]5. Secure luggage or cargo with rope (up to
3/8"), NOT ELASTIC CORD, using the tie
down loops provided. There are three loops
on each outside rail and one at each end of
the cross bars.
[FV39875(ALL)02/95]
quarter page art:0001381-B
The adjusting levers for the luggage rack
[FV39900(ALL)11/94]
Leave the rear crossbar in its original back
position when you are not using it to hold
luggage to reduce aerodynamic drag and
improve fuel economy.
% [FV40000(ALL)11/94]
The Second Seats
[FV40100(ALL)11/94]
Your vehicle is equipped with split-folding
second seats. One or both second seatbacks can
be folded down to provide additional cargo
space.
[FV40200(ALL)02/95]
To lower the seatback:
[FV40300(ALL)02/95]
1. Lift the seatback release handle on the upper
outboard corner of the seatback.
[FV40400(ALL)02/95]
2. Fold the seatback forward until it rests on
the cushion.
File:08fcfvt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:57:12 1996
ProCarManuals.com

191
Driving Your Taurus
*
[DR00300(ALL)07/95]
Your vehicle will have one of the following
types of transaxles:
*
[DR00500(ALL)11/94]
q
an automatic overdrive transaxle, or
[DR00510(ALL)02/95]
q
an automatic overdrive transaxle with
Overdrive Off (O/D OFF) switch
*
[DR00700(ALL)11/94]
If you are not sure which transaxle your vehicle
has, talk to your dealer.
*
[DR00800(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Powertrain Control Module that limits engine
and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to
promote durability.
% [DR03510(ALL)04/95]Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle (Column
Gearshift without O/D OFF
Switch)
%*
[DR03600(ALL)04/95]
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides
fully automatic operation in eitherj
(Overdrive) or D (Drive). Driving with the shift
selector inj(Overdrive) gives the best fuel
economy for normal driving conditions. For
manual control, start in 1 (First) and then shift
manually.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

194 %
*
[DR05300(ALL)01/95]
Driving
%*
[DR05400(ALL)04/95]
When to usej(Overdrive)
*
[DR05500(ALL)04/95]
j(Overdrive) is the usual driving position for
an automatic overdrive transaxle. It works the
same way D (Drive) works, automatically
upshifting or downshifting as the vehicle speeds
or slows.
*
[DR05600(ALL)04/95]
However,j(Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth
gear Ð an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at a consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
*
[DR05800(ALL)06/95]
When to use D (Drive)
[DR06000(ALL)12/95]
D (Drive) eliminates the excessive shifting
between third and fourth gears that your vehicle
sometimes does when you are traveling through
hilly terrain inj(Overdrive). It also provides
more engine braking thanj(Overdrive) for
descending hills or city driving.
*
[DR06100(ALL)06/95]
When to use 1 (First)
*
[DR06200(ALL)11/94]
Use 1 (First) when added engine braking is
desired when descending steep hills.
*
[DR06220(ALL)11/94]
The automatic transaxle will shift to the proper
gear to ascend any grade without any need to
shift to 1 (First).
[DR06300(ALL)04/95]
Do not go faster than 38 mph (61 km/h) in this
gear. You can upshift from 1 (First) to D (Drive)
or from 1 (First) toj(Overdrive) at any speed.
*
[DR06400(ALL)01/95]
P (Park)
*
[DR06500(ALL)11/94]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
rotating.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

195
*
[DR06600(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR06625(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
[DR06700(ALL)11/94]
You can tell a column-mounted gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) if you cannot move
it without pulling it toward you and rotating it
downward.
% [DR06705(ALL)04/95]Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle (Column or
Console Gearshift with O/D OFF
Switch)
[DR06710(ALL)02/95]
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides
fully automatic operation in either D (Overdrive)
or with the O/D OFF Switch depressed. Driving
with the shift selector in D (Overdrive) gives the
best fuel economy for normal driving conditions.
For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then
shift manually.
%*
[DR06730(ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[DR06735(ALL)04/95]
You must push in the thumb button to move the
console-mounted gearshift to the position you
choose.
[DR06740(ALL)02/95]
To move the gearshift out of P (Park), the
ignition must be turned from the locked position
to either the OFF or the ON position.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

199
*
[DR06802(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
*
[DR06804(ALL)01/95]
With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position,
the vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
position.
%*
[DR06805(ALL)01/95]
Driving
%*
[DR06825(ALL)05/95]
When to use D (Overdrive)
*
[DR06830(ALL)11/94]
D (Overdrive) is the usual driving position for
an automatic overdrive transaxle. It
automatically upshifts or downshifts as the
vehicle speeds or slows.
*
[DR06835(ALL)11/94]
However, D (Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth
gear Ð an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at a consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
[DR07025(ALL)04/95]
When to use D (O/D OFF)
[DR07050(ALL)12/95]
You will notice that there is only one drive
position on your gearshift indicator (instead of
Drive and Overdrive). However, you will find a
switch labeled O/D located on the gearshift
lever. Push in the switch and the O/D OFF light
in the instrument cluster will illuminate. With
the O/D OFF light illuminated, the transaxle
will operate in first, second and third gears and
will not shift into fourth gear. Operating in D
(O/D OFF) eliminates the excessive shifting
between third and fourth gears that your vehicle
sometimes does when you are traveling through
hilly terrain in D (Overdrive). It also provides
more engine braking than D (Overdrive) for
descending hills or city driving.
[DR07075(ALL)04/95]
To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive
operation, press the O/D OFF switch again. Use
this switch to select Overdrive or D (O/D OFF)
whenever you drive your vehicle.
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