1996 FORD TAURUS tow

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Trailer Towing
[DR22125(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight that you can
safely tow depends on the type of engine in
your vehicle. See the following charts:
[DR22150(ALL)04/95]
sixteen pica chart:0000489-H[DR22190(ALL)10/95]
fourteen pica chart:0001436-CFile:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
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Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
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Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of your
vehicle:
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Stay within the load limits when you tow.
(SeeKnowing Your Vehicle's Load Limits.)
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Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
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[DR26000(ALL)01/95]
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Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
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[DR26100(ALL)01/95]
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Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
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[DR26150(ALL)05/94]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
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[DR26500(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight exceeds
the limits of the vehicle and could result
in engine damage, transaxle/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and
personal injury.
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RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary
spare tire is being used.
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Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should
be on the tongue. However, the tongue load
should never exceed 10% of the maximum
weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
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Preparing to Tow
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[DR28600(ALL)01/95]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[DR28700(ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

216 %
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Driving While You Tow
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Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the
automatic transaxle to 1 (First) (vehicles without
O/D OFF switch) or 2 (Second) (vehicles with
O/D OFF switch) when descending. This will
give more engine braking on downgrades. The
automatic transaxle will automatically downshift
to the proper gear on upgrades.
[DR30200(ALL)04/95]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, move the
gearshift to D (Drive) (column shift without
O/D OFF switch) or push the O/D OFF switch
(column or console shift). This will also give
better braking going down hills.
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[DR30300(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
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Servicing Your Vehicle When You Tow
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[DR30500(ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

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[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
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[RE05100(ALL)01/95]
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exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
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load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
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q
tow a trailer.
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[RE05400(ALL)01/95]
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use tire chains on this tire.
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try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
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use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
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q
drive through an automatic car wash with
this tire. Because the temporary spare tire is
smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces
the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get
caught in the rails and it could be damaged.
% [RE05800(ALL)11/94]
The Conventional Spare Tire (If equipped)
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[RE05900(ALL)01/95]
If you have the conventional spare tire, you can
use it as a spare or as a regular tire. This spare
tire is identical to the other tires that come with
your vehicle, although the wheel may not match.
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[RE06000(ALL)03/95]
Spare Tire Location
[RE06100(ALL)04/95]
In a sedan, the spare tire is stored in the trunk
under the floor carpet.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

225 [RE06300(ALL)11/94]
In the wagon, the temporary spare tire is stored
in the left side rear trim panel.
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one third page art:0000392-B
The temporary spare tire in the wagon
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To remove the cover for the temporary spare
tire in the wagon:
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1. Twist the three fasteners 90 degrees into a
vertical position.
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2. Lift the the cover to disengage the three
retainers.
[RE07000(ALL)05/94]
3. Pull the front of the cover out slightly and
remove the cover by sliding it toward the
front of the vehicle.
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4. Lift out the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench.
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Preparing to Change the Tire
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You should only raise your vehicle with a jack
properly placed at the front or rear jacking
points.
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[RE07600(ALL)03/95]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

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Removing the anti-theft lug nut
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Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make
sure that you hold the key square to the lug nut.
If you hold the key on an angle, you may
damage the key and the lug nut.
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[RE14700(ALL)03/95]
Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key
and apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction
to remove the lug nut.
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Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
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[RE14900(ALL)03/95]
Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Place the
lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and, while
applying pressure on the key, install the lug nut.
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[RE15050(ALL)03/95]
If the Engine Cranks But Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
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[RE15100(ALL)07/95]
The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
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[RE15200(ALL)07/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device that stops the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
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[RE15250(ALL)07/95]
For information on how to check and reset the
fuel pump shut-off switch, seeFuel pump shut-off
switchin the Index.
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[RE16400(ALL)05/95]
Towing Your Vehicle
[RE16500(ALL)10/95]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center. Your
Taurus should be towed from the front unless
conditions do not allow it. It is recommended
that your vehicle be towed with wheel lift or
flatbed equipment.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

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three fourths page art:0001463-A
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When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator
what kind of vehicle you have. A towing
manual is available from Ford Motor Company
for all authorized tow truck operators. Have
your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
the proper hook-up and towing procedures for
your vehicle.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com