1998 FORD TAURUS Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 16
Seating and safety restraints 55
Starting and driving
Starting 85
Driving 90
Roadside emergencies 109
Servicing
Maintenance and care 128
Capacities and specifications 176
Reporting safety defects 185
Index 186
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or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any
information storage and retrieval system or translation in
whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright
r1998 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a safety alert.
Read the following
section onWarnings.
Indicates vehicle
information related to
recycling and other
environmental
concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of
waste cleaning and lubrication materials are
significant steps towards protecting the
environment.
Indicates a message
regarding child safety
restraints. Refer to
Seating and safety
restraintsfor more information.
Indicates that this
Owner Guide contains
information on this
subject. Please refer to
the Index to locate the appropriate section which
will provide you more information.
WARNINGS
Warnings provide information which may reduce the
risk of personal injury and prevent possible damage
to others, your vehicle and its equipment.
Introduction
2

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your
vehicle. During the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of
driving, vary speeds frequently. This is necessary to
give the moving parts a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes
for the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles).
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at
the time of printing. Ford may change the contents
without notice and without incurring obligation.
Introduction
3

EFC HFUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONLOW
COOLANTTHEFT102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180P R N D 2 1MPH km/h0000000000P!
BRAKE
+ –
110CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABSO/D
OFFREAR
LAMP
OUTPREMIUM UNLEADED
FUEL RECOMMENDED0 1234
5
6
78
Parking
brake
release
(pg. 92) Headlamp
control
(pg. 16)
Speed
control*
(pg. 29) Driver side
air bag
(pg. 67) Trunk
release
(pg. 40)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer
control (pg. 33)Instrument
cluster
(pg. 6)
*if equipped
Instrumentation
4

BASSTREBBALFADEREWFFEJECT
1234
56wTAPE SIDETAPE
R-DEFTUNESEEKSCAN AM
FM
MH
LO
HIOFF
A/C
MAX
A/CVENT
VOL
PUSH-ON
wSTFM 12
AMCBLRF
Climate
control
systems
(pg. 18)
Gearshift
(pg. 94) Electronic sound
system; refer to
Audio Guide
(pg. 28)Passenger
side air bag
(pg. 67)
Instrumentation
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Standard instrument cluster
Optional instrument cluster
Turn signal
Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal
or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or
both of the indicators stay on continuously or flash
faster, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb. Refer
toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps
are turned on.
CRUISE
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON1020304050 60
70
80
90
100
110
00 20406080100
120
140
160
180P R N D D 1MPH km/h
00
122
00013
P!
BRAKEABS
+ –
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
THEFT LOW
COOLANTO/D
OFF
EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
THEFT102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
P!
BRAKELOW
COOLANT
+ –
110CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABSO/D
OFFPREMIUM UNLEADED
FUEL RECOMMENDED0 1234
5
6
78
Instrumentation
6

Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position to remind you
to fasten your safety belts. For more information,
refer to theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON or
START position and
any door is open.
Service engine soon
Your vehicle is
equipped with a
computer that monitors
the engine's emission
control system. This
system is commonly known as the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD II). This OBD II system
protects the environment by ensuring that your
vehicle continues to meet government emission
standards. The OBD II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
TheService Engine Soonindicator light illuminates
when the ignition is first turned to the ON position
to check the bulb. If it comes on after the engine is
started, one of the engine's emission control systems
may be malfunctioning. The light may illuminate
without a driveability concern being noted. The
vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
7

What you should do if the Service Engine Soon
light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a
malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourService
Engine Soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may
misfire or run poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed
and securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by
filling the fuel tank with good quality fuel and/or
properly installing and securely tightening the gas
cap. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, theService
Engine Soonlight should turn off. (A driving cycle
consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is
required.
If theService Engine Soonlight remains on, have
your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. You should drive in a moderate
fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration)
and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive
exhaust temperatures could damage the
catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Instrumentation
8