1996 FORD TAURUS check oil

75
*
[LG04300(ALL)11/94]
This light comes on every time you turn your
ignition key to the ON or START position. The
light should go off when the engine starts and
the alternator begins to charge.
*
[LG04400(ALL)01/95]
If the light stays on or comes on when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
%*
[LG04800(ALL)02/95]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
[LG04900(ALL)02/95]
This light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not
the oil level. However, if the engine's oil level is
low, it could affect the oil pressure. The light
should come on every time the ignition key is
turned to the ON or START position, and
should turn off after the engine is running.
[LG04950(ALL)02/95]
one inch art:0001025-B
Engine oil pressure warning light
[LG05100(ALL)11/94]
If the light stays on or turns on when the engine
is running, the engine has lost oil pressure and
continued operation will cause severe engine
damage.
*
[LG05105(ALL)03/95]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
*
[LG05200(ALL)03/95]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[LG05300(ALL)11/94]
2. Shut off the engine immediately. If you do
not stop the engine as soon as safely
possible, severe engine damage could result.
File:05fclgt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:14:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

76
*
[LG05400(ALL)10/95]
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine
oil in this Owner Guide. (SeeEngine oilin
the Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, engine damage could result. To
ensure an accurate reading, your vehicle
should be on level ground.
*
[LG05500(ALL)11/94]
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary to bring it to the full level before
you start the engine again. Do not overfill.
Do not operate the engine if the light is on,
regardless of the oil level. Contact your
nearest dealer for further service actions.
%*
[LG06200(ALL)01/95]
High Beam Light
*
[LG06300(ALL)03/95]
This light comes on when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the
lights.
[LG06350(ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle is equipped with Daylight
Running Lamps (DRL), the high beam light will
not come on when you flash the lights.
[LG06400(ALL)02/95]
one inch art:0000111-B
High beam light
File:05fclgt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:14:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

218
*
[RE00850(ALL)07/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[RE00900(ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
*
[RE01000(ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
*
[RE01100(ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01200(ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[RE01300(ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01400(ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
[RE01500(ALL)04/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. If
you have electronic climate control, press the
VF-DEF button. Turn off all other switches
and lights.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

272
*
[SV13605(ALL)02/95]
Self-Service Pointers
*
[SV13611(ALL)01/95]
If you choose to do your own fueling, you
should also perform a few simple maintenance
routines. This extra effort will save you
additional money and contribute to the driving
efficiency of your vehicle.
*
[SV13615(ALL)01/95]
The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
*
[SV13620(ALL)01/95]
q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
*
[SV13625(ALL)01/95]
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
*
[SV13630(ALL)01/95]
q
Check windshield washer fluid
*
[SV13633(ALL)02/95]
q
Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
*
[SV13636(ALL)01/95]
q
Check the tire pressure at least monthly
%
*
[SV13638(ALL)02/95]
Engine Oil Recommendations
*
[SV13639(ALL)09/95]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
*
[SV13650(ALL)03/95]
one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

273
*
[SV13670(ALL)01/95]
Neveruse:
*
[SV13680(ALL)01/95]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
*
[SV13690(ALL)04/95]
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[SV13700(ALL)01/95]
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
% [SV13710(ALL)02/95]
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).
%*
[SV13770(ALL)03/95]
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.
%*
[SV13775(ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[SV13800(ALL)03/95]
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.
%*
[SV13900(ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000(ALL)02/95]
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.
*
[SV14025(ALL)03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[SV14100(ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[SV14200(ALL)03/95]
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

274
*
[SV14300(ALL)01/95]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)02/95]
one inch art:0001397-A
Engine oil dipstick (3.0L Vulcan)
[SV14450( T)02/95]
one inch art:0001398-A
Engine oil dipstick (3.0L Duratec and 3.4L SHO)
*
[SV14500(ALL)11/95]
6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from the engine.
*
[SV14600(ALL)01/95]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
%*
[SV14700(ALL)03/95]
Adding engine oil
*
[SV14800(ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[SV15000(ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com