1996 FORD TAURUS service

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
ProCarManuals.com

325
*
[SV42300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on
for more than five seconds after you shut it off
or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[SV42400(ALL)05/95]
Information about your vehicle's emission
control system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement
and gives some tune-up specifications.
%*
[SV42405(ALL)07/95]
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
Testing
*
[SV42410(ALL)07/95]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies a
ªneed for additional mixed city and highway
driving to complete the checkº of the OBD II
system. As soon as all of the OBD II system
checks are successfully completed, the OBD II
system is set to the ready condition. The amount
of driving required to reach the ready condition
varies with individual driving patterns. To
complete this requirement in the minimum
amount of time, refer to the OBD II Drive Cycle
defined below. If the vehicle owner cannot or
does not want to do the additional driving
required by law, a service center can perform
this drive cycle as it would any other type of
repair work.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

Index 357
Index
A
ABS warning light
(see Anti-lock brake system)....... 81
Accessory position on the ignition..... 59
Additives, engine oil.......... 273
Air bag supplemental
restraint system............. 23
and child safety seats........ 26,33
description............... 23
disposal................ 31
driver air bag............. 23
indicator light............. 77
operation............... 27
passenger air bag............ 23
proper seating............. 24
service and information labels...... 27
tone generator............. 30
wearing safety belts........... 24
Air cleaner filter
location............... 260
replacing............... 296
specifications............. 329
Air conditioning
electronic automatic temperature
control system............ 95
manual heating and air
conditioning system......... 93
Alarm, activating remote personal.... 135
Antenna, radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 176
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)...... 276
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description.............. 203
see also Brake............ 202
warning light.............. 81
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

364 Index
Engine coolant (continued)
proper solution............ 278
recovery reservoir........... 277
refill capacities............ 328
specifications............. 330
temperature gauge........... 82
Engine coolant temperature gauge..... 82
Engine fan............... 256
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter....... 275
checking and adding......... 273
dipstick............... 274
disposal............... 275
engine oil pressure warning light..... 75
filter, specifications.......... 329
refill capacities............ 328
specifications............. 330
synthetic oil............. 273
ªbreak-inº oils............. 5
viscosity............... 273
Entry system, keyless.......... 128
Exhaust fumes.............. 68
Extended Service Plan, Ford........ 4
F
Fan, engine fan, avoiding injury..... 256
Flashers, hazard............. 118
Flashing the lights............ 116
Flat tire................. 222
Floor mats............... 152
Fluid refill capacities........... 328
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

Index 365
Ford Customer Assistance Center..... 239
Ford Dispute Settlement Board...... 240
Ford Extended Service Plan........ 4
Ford Motor Company of Canada..... 245
Ford of Canada Customer
Assistance Centre........... 245
Foreign registration........... 247
French owner guides, how to obtain.... 3
Fuel.................. 264
calculating fuel economy....... 270
capacity............... 328
choosing the right fuel........ 266
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates......... 271
filling your vehicle with fuel...... 264
filter, specifications.......... 329
fuel gauge............... 82
improving fuel economy....... 271
octane rating............. 266
quality................ 267
running out of fuel.......... 269
safety information relating to
automotive fuels.......... 268
storing your vehicle.......... 332
treating emergencies......... 268
Fuel cap................ 264
removing.............. 264
replacing............... 265
Fuel filter, specifications......... 329
Fuel gauge................ 82
Fuel pump shut-off switch
engine does not start.......... 65
starting after a collision......... 65
Fuse panels
instrument panel........... 304
power distribution box........ 308
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

Index 369
L
Lamps
autolamp delay system........ 108
bulb replacement specifications chart . . 322
daytime running light system..... 107
dome lamps............. 111
flashing the lamps.......... 116
hazard flashers............ 118
headlamps.............. 106
high beams............. 115
illuminated mirrors.......... 155
instrument panel, dimming...... 110
interior lamps............ 110
map lamps.............. 111
trailer................ 215
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal) . . 115
Lap belts................. 21
Lights, warning and indicator
airbag................. 77
anti-lock brakes (ABS).......... 81
brake................. 73
charging system............ 74
door ajar................ 77
engine oil pressure........... 75
hazard warning light......... 118
high beam............... 76
lamp out................ 87
low fuel................ 80
low washer fluid............ 87
oil pressure.............. 75
safety belt............... 73
service engine soon........... 78
speed control (see cruise control)..... 81
turn signal indicator.......... 81
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com

Index 373
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts.... 12,15,21
automatic locking mode......... 14
center front lap belt........... 21
center rear lap belt........... 21
cleaning the safety belts......... 23
extension assembly........... 22
for adults............... 9
for children.............. 31
for infants............... 31
head................. 145
lap and shoulder belts......... 12
lap belt................ 21
maintenance.............. 23
proper use............... 9
replacement.............. 23
warning light and chime........ 73
Safety seats for children
and air bags............ 26,33
attaching with tether straps....... 43
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . 14, 33
in front seat.............. 35
in rear outboard............ 35
tether anchorage hardware....... 43
Seat belts (see Safety restraints)....... 9
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual....... 147
adjusting the seats, power....... 148
child safety seats............ 33
cleaning upholstery.......... 151
head restraints............ 145
lumbar support............ 149
split-folding rear seat......... 149
Semi-Active ride control......... 202
Serial number (VIN)........... 240
Service concerns............ 238
File:fcixt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:18:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com