1996 FORD TAURUS checking oil

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

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
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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

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
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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 371
O
Octane rating.............. 266
Odometer
description............... 84
trip odometer............. 84
Oil filter................ 329
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 272
Oil viscosity.............. 273
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 325
Overdrive.............194, 199
Overseas offices............. 247
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system............. 135
Parking brake
operation.............. 205
warning light.............. 73
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)....... 329
PCV valve, specifications........ 329
Phone, cellular............. 158
Power distribution box (see Fuses).... 308
Power door locks............ 126
Power features
door locks.............. 126
lumbar support............ 149
mirrors............... 153
moon roof.............. 144
seats................. 148
windows............... 142
Power steering
dipstick............... 301
driving with power steering...... 201
fluid, checking and adding...... 300
fluid, refill capacity.......... 328
fluid, specifications.......... 330
servicing............... 201
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