1997 FORD TAURUS key

Coding failure can be caused by any of the following:
²The new key was not inserted into the ignition
within 15 seconds.
²16 keys have already been programmed.
²The new key does not have an electronic code.
Seating and safety restraints
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To open up the seat:
1. Unlock the floor
panel with the key,
then use the handle to
fold the floor panel
toward the front of the
car.
2. Remove the cargo cover. The cargo cover must be
removed or the seatback will not latch in the upright
position.
3. Lift the remote latch
release on the left side
of the compartment
and fold the remaining
floor panel until it
latches. Make sure the
seatback is locked in
the upright position.
To close the seat, make sure the safety belts are in
their correct notches, then lift the remote latch
release and push the seat down until it latches. Pull
up on the handle and push the floor panel into
place.
Seating and safety restraints
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To attach the shoulder
belt to the lap belt, pull
the shoulder belt out
from the retractor in
the seatback and insert
into the lap belt
connecting pin into the
wide end of the key
slot on the shoulder
belt. Pull the
connecting pin into the
narrow end of the key
slot until you hear a
snap and feel it latch.
Make sure the shoulder
belt is securely
fastened to the lap belt
by pulling up on the shoulder belt.
Lap belts
The lap belts in the center front seating position (if
equipped) and center rear seating position (wagon)
do not adjust automatically. You must adjust them to
fit snugly and low as possible around your hips. Do
not wear the lap belt around your waist.
Make sure you insert the tongue into the correct
buckle. If you need to lengthen the belt, turn the
tongue at a right angle to the belt and pull across
your lap until it reaches the buckle. If you need to
tighten the belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it is snugly across the hips.
Shorten and fasten the belt when not in use.
Safety belts for rear-facing occupants (wagon
only)
Never use child safety seats in the third seat
of a wagon.
Seating and safety restraints
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extended. Do not use extensions to change the fit of
the shoulder belt across the torso.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The seat belt warning light illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a chime sounds to remind
the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety
belt is not buckled
before the ignition
key is turned to ON...The safety belt indicator
illuminates for one to two
minutes and the warning
chime sounds for four to
eight seconds.
The driver's side
safety belt is buckled
while the indicator
light is illuminated
and the warning
chime is sounding...The safety belt indicator
light and warning chime
turn off.
The driver's safety
belt is buckled before
the ignition key is
turned to ON...The safety belt warning
light and indicator chime
remain off.
Safety belt maintenance
Check the safety belt systems periodically to make
sure they work properly and are not damaged.
Check the safety belts to make sure there are no
nicks, wears or cuts. All safety belt assemblies,
including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies (slide bar)(if equipped), shoulder belt
height adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat
tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after a
collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be
Seating and safety restraints
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PREPARING TO START THE VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the spark ignition
system. This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator before or during starting. Only use
the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the
engine. For more information on starting the vehicle,
refer toStarting the vehiclein this chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled
their safety belts. For more information on safety
belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the
headlamps and vehicle
accessories are off.
²Make sure the
parking brake is set.
²Make sure the
gearshift is in P
(Park).
3. Turn the key to the ON position (without turning
the key to START.)
P
P R N D 2 1
Starting
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STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5
(Start) without
pressing the
accelerator. The key
will return to 4 (On).
2. If the engine does not start within five seconds,
wait ten seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in two attempts OR
the temperature is below Ð12ÉC (10ÉF), depress
accelerator and start the engine while holding the
accelerator down. Release accelerator when engine
starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake
and release the parking brake.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant,
which improves starting, warms up the engine faster
and allows the heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. They are strongly recommended if you live
in a region where temperatures reach Ð23ÉC
(±10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before starting the vehicle. Using the heater
for longer than three hours will not harm the engine,
so the heater can be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded electrical systems
or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
1
23
4
5
Starting
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Pull release handle
toward you to release
parking brake. Driving
with the parking brake
on will cause the
brakes to wear out
quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
SEMI-ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL (TAURUS SHO
ONLY)
Firm shock absorber performance enhances ride and
handling during certain road conditions. The shock
absorber is returned to a softer performance when
driver or road induced motion ceases. This system is
automatic and requires no driver input.
TRANSAXLE
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved
from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park)
with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to
LOCK, then remove the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake
pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle's brake lamps may not be
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Driving
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HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an
emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle
breakdown,
approaching danger,
etc. Depress to activate
all indicators
simultaneously.
Depress again to switch
off. The warning lights
can be operated when
the ignition is off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not start after a
collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump
shut-off switch by pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Pause
for a few seconds and return the key to the OFF
position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
Roadside emergencies
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