1996 FORD TAURUS maintenance

243
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How Do You Contact the Board?
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Write to the Board at the following address to
request a brochure/application. You will be sent
a brochure and a one-page customer application
form. The form should be completed and mailed
to the same address.
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one inch art:0060102-B
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What is the Review Process?
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Your application will be reviewed and if it is
determined to be eligible, you will receive an
acknowledgment indicating the file number
assigned to your application and the local Board
address. At the same time, your dealer and Ford
Motor Company representative are asked to
submit statements.
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To review your case properly, the Board needs
the following information:
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legible copies of all documents and
maintenance or repair orders that relate to
the case
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[HS05500(ALL)08/95]
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the year, make, model, and vehicle
identification number (VIN)
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[HS05600(ALL)04/95]
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the date you bought your vehicle
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the date of repair and the mileage at the time
of repair
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[HS05800(ALL)04/95]
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the current mileage
File:13fchst.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:02:19 1996
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255
Servicing Your Taurus
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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If your vehicle needs professional servicing, see
theCustomer Assistancechapter.
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Check yourWarranty Information Bookletto find
out which parts are covered.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

256
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Ford Motor Company recommends that you
perform the Owner Maintenance Checks listed in
theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
These services are important for the proper
operation of your vehicle. In addition to the
conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance
Checklist, be alert for any unusual noise,
vibration, or other indication that your vehicle
may need service. If you do notice something
unusual, see that your vehicle is serviced
promptly.
[SV01275(ALL)03/95]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids,
and service parts conforming to specifications.
Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
Using these parts for replacement is your
assurance that Ford-built quality stays in your
vehicle.
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[SV01300(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
%
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Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
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Be especially careful when inspecting or
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
[SV01800(ALL)10/95]
q
Do not work on a hot engine. The engine
cooling fans may come on unexpectedly.
Always turn the engine off and let it cool.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

271 %
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Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy Estimates
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EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions
and may not reflect the actual conditions you
experience or your style of driving. The EPA
fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee that
you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
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Improving Fuel Economy
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Fuel economy is affected by a number of
variables which can reduce efficiency. You can
improve fuel economy by understanding these
variables and minimizing their effect.
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The following decrease fuel economy:
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Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
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Excessive speed
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Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
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Driving with your foot on the brake
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Sudden stops
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Extended engine idling
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Using speed control in hilly terrain
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Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
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Underinflated tires
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Heavy loads
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Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

272
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Self-Service Pointers
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If you choose to do your own fueling, you
should also perform a few simple maintenance
routines. This extra effort will save you
additional money and contribute to the driving
efficiency of your vehicle.
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The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
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Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
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Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
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Check windshield washer fluid
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Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
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Check the tire pressure at least monthly
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
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one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
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273
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Neveruse:
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q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
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Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
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Engine oils with an SAE 5W-30 viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
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Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
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Checking the engine oil level:
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1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
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2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
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3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

275 %
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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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Change the engine oil and oil filter per the
following, whichever occurs first.
[SV16500(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0060618-C*
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record
Booklet for additional information.
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[SV16600(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[SV16700(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
[SV16800(ALL)07/95]
Protect your skin by washing with mild soap
and water.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

276
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Engine Coolant
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Checking the Engine Coolant
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NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
[SV17400(ALL)10/95]
RWARNING
The cooling fans are automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
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[SV17600(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
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The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com