1996 FORD TAURUS transaxle

59
Starting Your Taurus
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[ST03300(ALL)03/95]
Ignition
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[ST03400(ALL)01/95]
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
[ST03725(ALL)11/94]
quarter page art:0000017-D
The positions of the key in the ignition
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[ST04050(ALL)07/95]
ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is
not running.
% [ST04100(ALL)10/89]
LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
gearshift for all vehicles with an automatic
transaxle.
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[ST04175(ALL)08/95]
The automatic transaxle gearshift must be in P
(Park) to move the key to the LOCK position.
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[ST04200(ALL)01/95]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
%*
[ST04300(ALL)05/95]
If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move
the steering wheel left or right until the key
turns freely.
[ST04325(ALL)04/95]
OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transaxle gearshift lever.
File:04fcstt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:50 1996
ProCarManuals.com

63
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[ST09400(ALL)08/95]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
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[ST09410(ALL)05/95]
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.
[ST09420(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transaxle and has an
interlock that prevents you from
shifting out of P (Park) unless your
foot is on the brake pedal.
%*
[ST09480(ALL)04/95]
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
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[ST09492(ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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[ST09494(ALL)04/95]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
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3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
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[ST09497(ALL)04/95]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
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[ST09498(ALL)04/95]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
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[ST09500(ALL)04/95]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been triggered. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchlater in this chapter.
[ST10200(ALL)12/95]
A computer system controls the engine's idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's
idle speed normally runs high. These faster
engine speeds will make your vehicle coast
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It
should, however, slow down after a short time.
If it does not, have the idle speed checked by
your dealer or a qualified technician.
File:04fcstt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:50 1996
ProCarManuals.com

67
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[ST11900(ALL)03/95]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
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[ST11950(ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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[ST12000(ALL)03/95]
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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[ST12050(ALL)01/95]
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button on the fuel pump shut-off
switch down.
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[ST12100(ALL)03/95]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
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[ST12150(ALL)03/95]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
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[ST12200(ALL)03/95]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
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[ST12225(ALL)01/95]
Pushing
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[ST12250(ALL)09/95]
Vehicles with automatic transaxles cannot be
started by pushing. Follow the directions under
If Your Vehicle Needs a Jump-Startin theRoadside
EmergenciesChapter.
File:04fcstt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:50 1996
ProCarManuals.com

89 [LG16950(ALL)12/95]
Overdrive Off Indicator
[LG16975(ALL)02/95]
This light tells you that the Overdrive Off (O/D
OFF) switch on the gearshift lever has been
pushed. When the light is on, the transaxle will
not shift into overdrive. Depressing the O/D
OFF switch located below the gearshift release
button on the floor gearshift or located on the
end of the column gearshift will return the
vehicle to ªoverdrive onº mode. The transaxle
will be in the ªoverdrive onº mode when the
vehicle is started even if the ªO/D OFFº mode
was selected when the vehicle was last shut off.
[LG17025(ALL)02/95]
If the light does not come on when the O/D
OFF switch is depressed or if the light flashes
when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. If this condition
persists, damage could occur to the transaxle.
[LG17050(ALL)02/95]
one inch art:0001009-B
Overdrive off indicator
File:05fclgt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:14:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

191
Driving Your Taurus
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[DR00300(ALL)07/95]
Your vehicle will have one of the following
types of transaxles:
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[DR00500(ALL)11/94]
q
an automatic overdrive transaxle, or
[DR00510(ALL)02/95]
q
an automatic overdrive transaxle with
Overdrive Off (O/D OFF) switch
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[DR00700(ALL)11/94]
If you are not sure which transaxle your vehicle
has, talk to your dealer.
*
[DR00800(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic
Powertrain Control Module that limits engine
and/or vehicle speeds with a cut-out mode to
promote durability.
% [DR03510(ALL)04/95]Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle (Column
Gearshift without O/D OFF
Switch)
%*
[DR03600(ALL)04/95]
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides
fully automatic operation in eitherj
(Overdrive) or D (Drive). Driving with the shift
selector inj(Overdrive) gives the best fuel
economy for normal driving conditions. For
manual control, start in 1 (First) and then shift
manually.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

194 %
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Driving
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When to usej(Overdrive)
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[DR05500(ALL)04/95]
j(Overdrive) is the usual driving position for
an automatic overdrive transaxle. It works the
same way D (Drive) works, automatically
upshifting or downshifting as the vehicle speeds
or slows.
*
[DR05600(ALL)04/95]
However,j(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.
*
[DR05800(ALL)06/95]
When to use D (Drive)
[DR06000(ALL)12/95]
D (Drive) eliminates the excessive shifting
between third and fourth gears that your vehicle
sometimes does when you are traveling through
hilly terrain inj(Overdrive). It also provides
more engine braking thanj(Overdrive) for
descending hills or city driving.
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[DR06100(ALL)06/95]
When to use 1 (First)
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[DR06200(ALL)11/94]
Use 1 (First) when added engine braking is
desired when descending steep hills.
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[DR06220(ALL)11/94]
The automatic transaxle will shift to the proper
gear to ascend any grade without any need to
shift to 1 (First).
[DR06300(ALL)04/95]
Do not go faster than 38 mph (61 km/h) in this
gear. You can upshift from 1 (First) to D (Drive)
or from 1 (First) toj(Overdrive) at any speed.
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[DR06400(ALL)01/95]
P (Park)
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[DR06500(ALL)11/94]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
rotating.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

195
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RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
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[DR06625(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
[DR06700(ALL)11/94]
You can tell a column-mounted gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) if you cannot move
it without pulling it toward you and rotating it
downward.
% [DR06705(ALL)04/95]Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle (Column or
Console Gearshift with O/D OFF
Switch)
[DR06710(ALL)02/95]
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides
fully automatic operation in either D (Overdrive)
or with the O/D OFF Switch depressed. Driving
with the shift selector in D (Overdrive) gives the
best fuel economy for normal driving conditions.
For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then
shift manually.
%*
[DR06730(ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[DR06735(ALL)04/95]
You must push in the thumb button to move the
console-mounted gearshift to the position you
choose.
[DR06740(ALL)02/95]
To move the gearshift out of P (Park), the
ignition must be turned from the locked position
to either the OFF or the ON position.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

199
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[DR06802(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
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[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.
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[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