1997 FORD TAURUS open hood

Opening the hood
1. Inside the vehicle,
pull the hood release
handle located under
the bottom left corner
of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and release the
auxiliary latch that is located under the front center
of the hood. Lift the hood until the lift cylinders
hold it open.
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
3.0L Vulcan engine
12
3
4567
8
9
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CHECKING AND ADDING ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you fuel your
vehicle.
To check the oil:
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground. If the
engine is warm, turn the engine off and wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
4. Locate and carefully
remove the engine oil
dipstick.
5. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully,
then remove it again. The oil level should be in the
range shown on the dipstick.
6. If the oil level is below the MIN line or the ADD 1
QUART line, add oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the MAX or FULL line, engine damage or
high engine oil consumption may occur and some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully
seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer to
Checking the engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within the normal range,
add only certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through the oil filler cap.
ADD 1 QTFULL
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Function Trade Number
Rear window wiper/washer
switch (wagon)Go to Ford
authorized
dealer
Headlamps
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position,
then open the hood. If you are replacing the driver
side headlamp, unclip the electronic module on the
right side of the battery and move it out of the way.
2. Remove the
electrical connector
from the bulb by
pulling the connector.
3. Remove the bulb
retaining ring by
rotating it
counterclockwise
(when viewed from the
rear) about an eighth
of a turn to free it from
the bulb socket, and by
sliding the ring off the
plastic base. Keep the ring because it will be used
again to retain the new bulb.
4. Remove the old bulb from its socket by gently
pulling it straight back out of the socket. Do not
turn the bulb while you are removing it.
To install the new bulb:
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been in an accident requiring the front end of the
vehicle to be repaired, the horizontal indicator
should be recalibrated by the service facility.
Horizontal aim adjustment
1. With the hood open,
locate the horizontal
indicator and adjusting
screw.
2.Usea7mmwrench to turn the horizontal
adjusting screw until the reference mark on the
reflector extension aligns with the ª0º reference
mark on the horizontal indicator when viewed
directly from above.
3. When the horizontal aim has been adjusted, close
the headlamp access panel.
Adjusting the vertical aim
The numbers shown on the vial indicate beam
direction in degrees up or down.
1. Do not adjust the vertical aim until after adjusting
the horizontal aim.
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2. With the hood open,
locate the bubble level
vertical aim indicator.
It is visible when
viewed from the above
rear of the headlamp.
3.Usea7mmwrench to turn the vertical adjusting
screw until the reference mark on the reflector
extension aligns with the ª0º reference mark on the
vertical indicator when viewed directly from above.
4. Close the hood.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the ªCustomer Assistance Guideº for a list
of Ford-approved cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly
with cold or lukewarm
water. Never use strong
detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty,
use a quality car wash
detergent. Always use a
clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of water for best results.
To avoid spots, avoid washing when the hood is still
warm, immediately after or during exposure to
strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to
wash the vehicle on a regular basis. Large quantities
of dirt and road salt are difficult to remove, and they
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