1996 FORD TAURUS ECU

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
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257 [SV01850(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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If you must work with the engine running,
avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long hair.
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Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed
space with the engine running, unless you are
sure you have enough ventilation.
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Never get under a vehicle while it is
supported by a jack only. If you must work
under a vehicle, use safety stands.
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Keep all lit cigarettes and other smoking
materials away from the battery and all
fuel-related parts.
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If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before your vehicle
will drive properly. To find out how the engine
does this, seeBatteryin this chapter.
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Working with the engine off:
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1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
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2. Remove the key from the ignition after you
turn the engine off.
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3. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

258
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Working with the engine on:
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1. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
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2. Block the wheels. This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
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RWARNING
Do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
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Opening the Hood
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1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release
handle located under the bottom left corner
of the instrument panel.
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2. Go to the front of the vehicle and release the
auxiliary latch that is located under the hood
at the center of the vehicle.
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3. Lift the hood until the lift cylinders hold it
open.
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Whenever you close the hood, latch it securely.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

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

295
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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.
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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.
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Tire chains may affect vehicle handling. Drive
carefully and avoid hard braking.
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Do not use chains on temporary spare tires.
They may damage the vehicle and the tire.
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Remove tire chains at the first opportunity
after using them on snow and ice. Do not use
the chains on dry roads.
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Cleaning the Wheels
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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.
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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
ProCarManuals.com

296
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Air Filter
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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.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
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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.
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Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
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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.
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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