1996 FORD TAURUS towing

237
Customer Assistance
%*
[HS00205(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance
*
[HS00210(ALL)11/95]
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week hotline with trained operators
who put you in touch with the help you need if
you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you
throughout your warranty period of 3 years or
36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever comes first.
To purchase Roadside Assistance coverages
beyond this period (available through Ford Auto
Club in the United States or Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers in Canada), contact
your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Additional
Roadside Assistance coverage is unavailable in
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
*
[HS00215(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
*
[HS00220(ALL)06/94]
q
Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
*
[HS00225(ALL)06/94]
q
Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
*
[HS00230(ALL)06/94]
q
Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
*
[HS00235(ALL)06/94]
q
Bring you fuel if you run out.
*
[HS00240(ALL)06/94]
q
Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even
non-warranty related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing and repossession).
File:13fchst.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:02:19 1996
ProCarManuals.com

362 Index
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 276
drain and flush............ 280
preparing for storage......... 333
refill capacities............ 328
specifications............. 330
temperature gauge........... 82
Cooling fan............... 256
Cruise control............. 120
Cupholder(s).............. 156
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.) . . 239
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........239, 245
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)...... 91
Daytime running light system...... 107
Defects, reporting............ 244
Defrost
rear window and side view mirrors. . . 104
windshield............ 95,103
Dipstick
automatic transaxle fluid........ 296
engine oil.............. 273
power steering fluid.......... 300
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 233
Dispute Settlement Board........ 240
Doors................. 125
childproof locks............ 125
door ajar warning light......... 77
lubricant specifications......... 330
Driving under special conditions
bad weather............. 206
heavy load.............. 208
high speed.............. 290
high water.............. 208
slippery roads............ 206
tips for safe driving.......... 206
towing a trailer............ 211
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

Index 363
E
Electrical system
fuses................ 303
operating when the engine is off..... 59
relays................ 303
Electronic sound system
radio reception............ 177
tuning the radio........... 173
warranty and service information . . . 190
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 172
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic sound
system)............... 172
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 237
battery acid spills........... 217
fuel................. 268
jump-starting............. 217
towing................ 233
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 205
Emission control system
catalytic converter.......... 323
emissions warranty......... 4,323
Engine
does not start........... 63,65
fuel pump shut-off switch........ 65
preparing to start............ 61
refill capacities............ 328
service points............ 260
starting................ 62
starting after a collision......... 65
storing your vehicle.......... 332
Engine block heater............ 64
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 276
checking hoses............ 277
disposal............... 280
drain and flush............ 280
preparing for storage......... 333
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

370 Index
Load limits............... 208
GAWR................ 208
GVWR................ 208
trailer towing............. 211
Lubricant specifications......... 330
Luggage compartment.......... 158
Luggage rack.............. 163
Lug nuts
anti-theft............... 232
standard............... 227
tightening sequence.......... 229
Lumbar support pad........... 149
M
Maintenance schedule and record
(see separate Maintenance Schedule
and Record booklet)........... 3
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 255
Master cylinder, brakes......... 298
Mileage, calculating fuel economy..... 270
Mirrors
heated................ 104
side view mirrors........... 153
vanity mirror, illuminated....... 155
Moon roof............... 144
Motorcraft parts............. 329
N
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration......... 244
New vehicle break-in........... 5
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

372 Index
R
Radio (see Electronic sound systems) . . . 169
Rear window
defroster............... 104
washer................ 105
washer reservoir........... 284
Refill capacities for fluids........ 328
Regulations, National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration......... 244
Relays................. 303
Remote entry system
arming and disarming the
anti-theft system.......... 136
locking/unlocking doors........ 134
panic alarm.............. 135
replacement/additional transmitters . . . 137
replacing the batteries......... 136
Reporting safety defects......... 244
Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult.................. 9
child.................. 31
head................. 145
infant................. 31
Ride control, Semi-Active......... 202
Roadside assistance........... 237
Roadside emergencies.......... 217
Roof rack................ 163
Rotating the tires............ 290
S
Safe driving tips............. 206
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)...... 9
Safety chains, when towing a trailer.... 214
Safety Compliance Certification Label . . . 208
Safety defects, reporting......... 244
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 268
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

374 Index
Servicing your vehicle.......... 255
precautions when servicing...... 256
servicing when you tow........ 216
Shift-lock system..........192, 196
Shift positions
(see Gearshift)..........193, 197
Shoulder and lap belts
(see Safety restraints).......... 12
Shoulder belts
(see Safety restraints).......... 12
Side mirrors
adjusting............... 153
heated................ 104
Sliding moon roof (see Moon roof).... 144
Snow tires and chains.......... 294
Spare tire
changing the tire........... 222
conventional spare.......... 223
finding the spare........... 223
removing the spare tire........ 223
storing the flat tire.......... 223
temporary spare........... 222
Spark plugs, specifications........ 329
Special driving conditions........ 206
Specification chart, lubricants....... 330
Speed control (see cruise control)
accelerating.............. 122
indicator light............. 81
resetting............... 123
tap up/tap down........... 123
turning off.............. 124
when towing a trailer.......122, 216
Speedometer............... 84
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle...... 61
starting a cold engine.......... 62
starting after a collision......... 65
starting a warm engine......... 62
starting your vehicle if the battery
is disabled............. 217
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

Index 375
Steering, power............. 201
Steering wheel
horn................. 119
locking................ 59
speed controls............ 120
tilting................ 119
Storage compartments
cargo area.............. 160
cargo net.............. 161
center console............ 156
locking storage............ 161
Storing your vehicle........... 331
Sunroof (moon roof)........... 144
Sun visor................ 154
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 77
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).... 23
T
Tachometer................ 84
Tail lamps, cleaning........... 108
Temperature control (see Climate control) . . 93
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints).......... 43
Tilt steering wheel........... 119
Tires.................. 288
changing............... 222
checking the pressure......... 288
cleaning............... 295
inspection and maintenance...... 288
replacing............... 291
rotating............... 290
snow tires and chains......... 294
spare tire.............. 222
storing your vehicle.......... 333
tire grades.............. 292
treadwear.............. 293
wear bands............. 291
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 211
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

376 Index
Towing your vehicle........... 233
using wheel dollies.......... 233
with a tow truck........... 233
Trailer towing.............. 211
calculating maximum trailer weight . . . 209
safety chains............. 214
tips................. 216
trailer brakes............. 215
trailer lamps............. 215
Transaxle
automatic operation........192, 195
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)............. 296
fluid, refill capacities......... 328
lubricant specifications......... 330
Trip odometer............... 84
Tune-up specifications (VECI)....... 325
Turn signal
indicator lights............. 81
lever................. 115
U
Used engine oil, disposal......... 275
V
Vanity mirror.............. 155
Variable interval wipers......... 117
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information)
decal................. 325
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 240
Vehicle loading
automatic transaxles.......... 209
calculating the load.......... 209
understanding loading information . . . 208
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com