Page 32 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 30
*
[SR18400(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG
WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND
MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If
the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired
area will increase th FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 30
*
[SR18400(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG
WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND
MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If
the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired
area will increase th](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-31.png)
30
*
[SR18400(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG
WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND
MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If
the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired
area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
*
[SR18425(ALL)07/95]
To ensure that the air bag system will operate as
intended in a crash, the system is equipped with
a diagnostic module, which controls a readiness
lamp and a warning tone. The diagnostic
module monitors its own circuits, the air bag
electrical system, the air bag readiness light, the
air bag power, and the air bag inflators.
%*
[SR18450(ALL)05/95]
The air bag system uses a readiness light on the
instrument cluster and a tone to indicate the
condition of the system. When you turn the
ignition key to the ON position, this light will
illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and
then turn off. This indicates that the system is
operating normally. NOTE: Maintenance of the
air bag system is not required.
%*
[SR18475(ALL)06/95]
A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
*
[SR18501(ALL)06/95]
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
*
[SR18525(ALL)06/95]
q
or it will not light immediately after ignition
is turned on,
*
[SR18550(ALL)06/95]
q
or a group of five beeps will be heard. The
tone pattern will repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
*
[SR18575(ALL)08/95]
If any of these things happen, have the air bag
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the air bag
Supplemental Restraint System may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
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Page 72 of 369
71
Warning Lights and
Gauges
%*
[LG00500(ALL)05/92]
In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges
are grouped together on the instrument panel.
We call this grouping a cluster. Your vehicle has
one of the following clusters:
[LG00800(ALL)02/95]
q
Standard cluster
[LG00900(ALL)02/95]
q
Optional cluster
[LG00950( T)02/95]
q
SHO cluster
*
[LG01100(ALL)05/94]
If you are not sure which cluster your vehicle
has, check the diagrams on the following pages.
% [LG02050(ALL)05/95]The Standard Cluster
[LG02075(ALL)02/95]
The following warning lights and gauges are on
the standard cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.
File:05fclgt.ex
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Page 114 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 115
Steering Column Controls
*
[SC00400(ALL)01/95]
The controls on the steering column and wheel
are designed to give you easy access to the
controls while you are driving.
%
*
[SC00500(ALL)01/95]
The FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 115
Steering Column Controls
*
[SC00400(ALL)01/95]
The controls on the steering column and wheel
are designed to give you easy access to the
controls while you are driving.
%
*
[SC00500(ALL)01/95]
The](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-113.png)
115
Steering Column Controls
*
[SC00400(ALL)01/95]
The controls on the steering column and wheel
are designed to give you easy access to the
controls while you are driving.
%
*
[SC00500(ALL)01/95]
The Turn Signal Lever
*
[SC00600(ALL)01/95]
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side
of the steering column to:
*
[SC00700(ALL)07/94]
q
operate the turn signals
*
[SC00800(ALL)01/95]
q
turn the high beams on/off
*
[SC00900(ALL)05/95]
q
flash the lamps
*
[SC01000(ALL)01/95]
q
turn the windshield wipers and washer
on/off
%*
[SC01100(ALL)01/95]
Turn Signals
*
[SC02201(ALL)03/95]
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move
it down to signal a left turn. The corresponding
indicator light in the instrument cluster will
flash.
*
[SC02401(ALL)03/95]
If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move
the lever back to the center (off) position.
*
[SC02451(ALL)08/95]
For lane changes, move the lever far enough to
signal but not to latch. The lever will return to
the off position when you release it.
%*
[SC02800(ALL)08/95]
High Beams
*
[SC03100(ALL)05/95]
To turn on the high beams, turn the headlamp
control knob to the headlamp ON position and
push the turn signal lever away from you until
it latches. When the high beams are ON, the
high beam indicator light on the instrument
panel comes on.
File:07fcsct.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:52:32 1996
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Page 120 of 369
121 [SC08000(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0001399-B
The cruise control buttons on the steering wheel
*
[SC08200(ALL)08/95]
To set the cruise control:
[SC08400(ALL)11/94]
1. Press and release the ON switch. The
CRUISE indicator light in the instrument
cluster will illuminate to indicate that speed
control is in a standby mode.
*
[SC08500(ALL)08/95]
2. Accelerate to the desired speed above
30 mph (50 km/h) using the accelerator
pedal.
*
[SC08800(ALL)08/95]
3. Press the SET ACCEL switch and release it
immediately to set your speed. If you keep
this switch pressed, your speed will continue
to increase.
*
[SC08900(ALL)08/95]
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Your vehicle will maintain the speed you set.
*
[SC09000(ALL)08/95]
If you drive up or down a steep hill, your
vehicle may momentarily slow down or speed
up, even though the speed control is on. This is
normal.
File:07fcsct.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:52:32 1996
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Page 197 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 199
*
[DR06802(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
*
[DR06804(ALL)01/95]
With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position,
the vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
posi FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 199
*
[DR06802(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
*
[DR06804(ALL)01/95]
With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position,
the vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
posi](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-196.png)
199
*
[DR06802(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
*
[DR06804(ALL)01/95]
With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position,
the vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
position.
%*
[DR06805(ALL)01/95]
Driving
%*
[DR06825(ALL)05/95]
When to use D (Overdrive)
*
[DR06830(ALL)11/94]
D (Overdrive) is the usual driving position for
an automatic overdrive transaxle. It
automatically upshifts or downshifts as the
vehicle speeds or slows.
*
[DR06835(ALL)11/94]
However, D (Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth
gear Ð an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at a consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
[DR07025(ALL)04/95]
When to use D (O/D OFF)
[DR07050(ALL)12/95]
You will notice that there is only one drive
position on your gearshift indicator (instead of
Drive and Overdrive). However, you will find a
switch labeled O/D located on the gearshift
lever. Push in the switch and the O/D OFF light
in the instrument cluster will illuminate. With
the O/D OFF light illuminated, the transaxle
will operate in first, second and third gears and
will not shift into fourth gear. Operating in D
(O/D OFF) eliminates the excessive shifting
between third and fourth gears that your vehicle
sometimes does when you are traveling through
hilly terrain in D (Overdrive). It also provides
more engine braking than D (Overdrive) for
descending hills or city driving.
[DR07075(ALL)04/95]
To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive
operation, press the O/D OFF switch again. Use
this switch to select Overdrive or D (O/D OFF)
whenever you drive your vehicle.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 274 of 369
![FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 277 [SV17700(ALL)12/95]
one third page art:0000305-E
The engine coolant reservoir (3.0L Vulcan shown Ð 3.0L
Duratec and 3.4L SHO similar)
[SV17750(ALL)04/95]
The coolant level in the reservoir should FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual 277 [SV17700(ALL)12/95]
one third page art:0000305-E
The engine coolant reservoir (3.0L Vulcan shown Ð 3.0L
Duratec and 3.4L SHO similar)
[SV17750(ALL)04/95]
The coolant level in the reservoir should](/manual-img/11/57830/w960_57830-273.png)
277 [SV17700(ALL)12/95]
one third page art:0000305-E
The engine coolant reservoir (3.0L Vulcan shown Ð 3.0L
Duratec and 3.4L SHO similar)
[SV17750(ALL)04/95]
The coolant level in the reservoir should be
maintained within the cold fill range.
[SV17900(ALL)02/95]
There may be a low coolant warning light in the
instrument cluster which will light when the
coolant level is low.
%*
[SV18000(ALL)08/95]
Checking Hoses
*
[SV18050(ALL)11/94]
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses and
hose connections for deterioration, leaks, and
loose hose clamps as specified in theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet. Repair or replace
with Motorcraft hoses or equivalent as necessary.
*
[SV18100(ALL)09/95]
Adding Engine Coolant
*
[SV18200(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
*
[SV18250(ALL)09/95]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through
the windshield.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 297 of 369
300 [SV31140(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0000672-BThe brake fluid reservoir
%*
[SV31200(ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV31300(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV31400(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
*
[SV31500(ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV31600(ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[SV31700(ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com
Page 340 of 369
349 [QI02600( T)03/95]
full page art:0001064-D
Instrument Cluster
File:16fcqit.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:16:56 1996
ProCarManuals.com