1996 FORD TAURUS oil

275 %
*
[SV16300(ALL)06/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
*
[SV16400(ALL)04/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filter per the
following, whichever occurs first.
[SV16500(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0060618-C*
[SV16550(ALL)03/95]
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record
Booklet for additional information.
%*
[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.
*
[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

295
*
[SV28950(ALL)05/95]
q
Put the chains on the front tires tightly with
the ends held down securely. Retighten the
chains after driving 1/2 mile (1 km). Follow
the chain manufacturer's instructions.
*
[SV28975(ALL)05/95]
q
Do not drive faster than 30 mph (50 km/h)
or the chain manufacturer's recommended
speed limit, whichever is lower. Avoid
bumps, holes and sharp turns. If you can
hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, remove the chains to prevent damage
to your vehicle.
*
[SV29025(ALL)11/94]
q
Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive
carefully and avoid hard braking.
*
[SV29050(ALL)11/94]
q
Do not use chains on temporary spare tires.
They may damage the vehicle and the tire.
*
[SV29150(ALL)05/94]
q
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
%*
[SV29160(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV29170(ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
*
[SV29180(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
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296
*
[SV29220(ALL)04/95]
Air Filter
% [SV29240(ALL)02/95]
To replace the engine air filter, unclip the two
latches, separate the housing and remove the old
filter. Wipe the interior of the housing clean
before inserting the new filter. Lock the two
latches.
[SV29260(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Do not use oil-impregnated air filters.
Filters other than the ones specified in
this Owner Guide can cause engine
damage. Your warranties may not
apply if your vehicle is damaged
because you used the wrong air filter.
SeeMotorcraft partsin the Index.
%
*
[SV29300(ALL)05/95]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV29310(ALL)03/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transaxle, since your
vehicle does not use up transaxle fluid. Refer to
theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle
is not working properly Ð for instance, the
transaxle may slip or shift slowly, or you may
notice some sign of fluid leakage Ð the fluid
level should be checked.
%*
[SV29340(ALL)02/93]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV29350(ALL)02/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface and the brake
pedal fully applied, start the engine and move
the gearshift selector through all of the gears.
Allow sufficient time for each position to engage.
Securely latch the gearshift selector in the P
(Park) position. Fully set the parking brake and
leave the engine running.
*
[SV29370(ALL)01/95]
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick
out. Wipe the indicator end clean. Put the
dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure
it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read
the fluid level.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

298 %
*
[SV29400(ALL)01/95]
Adding Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV29410(ALL)01/95]
Before adding any fluid, be sure that the correct
type will be used. Correct type is shown on the
dipstick.
[SV29415(ALL)04/93]
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (.25L) increments through
the filler tube to bring the level within the
crosshatched area on the dipstick. If the level is
above the top hole on the dipstick, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified technician.
%*
[SV29425(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.
%
*
[SV30200(ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
*
[SV30300(ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
%*
[SV30400(ALL)06/93]
You should check the brake fluid at every
scheduled engine oil change, but be sure to
check it at least once a year. You can do this by
looking at the fluid level in the plastic reservoir
on the master cylinder. (SeeThe Engine Typesin
this chapter to locate the master cylinder.) The
fluid level should be at or near the MAX mark.
*
[SV30450(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
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313
*
[SV38000(ALL)01/95]
q
hazard flasher
*
[SV38100(ALL)01/95]
q
turn signals
*
[SV38200(ALL)01/95]
q
side markers
*
[SV38300(ALL)01/95]
q
license plate lamp
%*
[SV38400(ALL)01/95]
The alignment of your headlamps should be
checked if:
*
[SV38500(ALL)01/95]
q
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to
turn off your vehicle's high beams when you
do not have the high beams on
*
[SV38600(ALL)01/95]
q
the headlamps do not seem to give you
enough light to see clearly at night
*
[SV38700(ALL)11/92]
q
the headlamps are not aligned so that they
point slightly down and to the right.
%*
[SV38800(ALL)03/95]
Replacing the Headlamp Bulb
*
[SV38900(ALL)01/95]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable
bulbs. When the lamp burns out, simply replace
the bulb, rather than the whole lamp.
*
[SV39000(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children's reach. Grasp
the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your
hand could cause the bulb to break the
next time the headlamps are operated.
*
[SV39100(ALL)01/95]
Do not remove the burned-out bulb unless you
can immediately replace it with a new one. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the headlamp housing
and affect its performance.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

324should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It
is the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information.
*
[SV41800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
[SV41900(ALL)04/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charging system warning
light, the service engine soon light, or the
temperature warning light. These sometimes
indicate that the emissions system is not
working properly.
*
[SV42000(ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[SV42100(ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
*
[SV42200(ALL)02/92]
Never use a metal exhaust collector when you
service your vehicle. If the metal collector
contacts any of your vehicle's plastic trim or
bumper parts they could melt or deform.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
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331
%*
[SV44000(ALL)01/95]
Vehicle Storage
*
[SV44100(ALL)01/95]
Maintenance Tips
*
[SV44150(ALL)01/95]
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an
extended period of time (60 days or more), refer
to the following maintenance recommendations
to ensure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
*
[SV44200(ALL)01/95]
General
*
[SV44300(ALL)01/95]
q
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
*
[SV44400(ALL)01/95]
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
*
[SV44500(ALL)01/95]
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
*
[SV44600(ALL)01/95]
Body
*
[SV44700(ALL)01/95]
q
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt,
grease, oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces,
rear wheel housing and underside of front
fenders.
*
[SV44800(ALL)01/95]
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
*
[SV44900(ALL)01/95]
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent
rust.
*
[SV45000(ALL)01/95]
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the
vehicle is washed.
[SV45100(ALL)04/95]
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk latches
with a light grade oil.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

332 [SV45150(ALL)04/95]q
Lubricate trunk lid or wagon liftgate hinges
with a light grade oil. (Do not lubricate hood
and door hinges.)
*
[SV45200(ALL)01/95]
q
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
*
[SV45300(ALL)01/95]
q
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
%*
[SV45350(ALL)01/95]
Engine
*
[SV45400(ALL)01/95]
q
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
*
[SV45500(ALL)01/95]
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
%*
[SV45600(ALL)01/95]
Fuel system
%*
[SV45700(ALL)07/94]
q
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
*
[SV45900(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more), fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
*
[SV46000(ALL)01/95]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60
days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to
circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
*
[SV46100(ALL)01/95]
A volatile corrosion inhibitor added to the fuel
system will protect the fuel system's inner
surfaces from corrosion. Follow the instructions
packaged with the product.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com