1998 FORD TAURUS Owners Manual

Low fuel
Illuminates when the
fuel tank has
approximately eight
liters (two gallons)
remaining. The lamp will also illuminate when the
ignition key is turned to ON and the engine is off.
Low coolant (if equipped)
This lamp will
illuminate when the
engine coolant inside
the reservoir is low.
This lamp will come on
when the ignition is first turned on, but then should
turn off. If the lamp stays on, you should check the
coolant level inside the reservoir. For instructions on
adding coolant, seeEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft
systemin theControls
and featureschapter.
O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the
transmission control
switch has been
pushed. When the light
is on, the transmission does not shift into overdrive.
If the light does not come on when the transmission
control switch is depressed or if the light flashes
when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced.
LOW
COOLANT
THEFT
O/D
OFF
Instrumentation
9

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. If the
light does not illuminate momentarily at start up,
remains on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to
be serviced. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released.
Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on
when either the
SET/ACCEL or
RESUME controls are
pressed. It turns off
when the speed control OFF control is pressed, the
brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position and the engine
is off. If brake warning lamp does not illuminate at
this time, seek service immediately. Also illuminates
when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the
oil pressure falls below
the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as
safely possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and add oil if
ABS
CRUISE
ON
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
10

needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and Carechapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is
turned to ON and the engine is off.
Charging system
Illuminates when the
ignition is turned to
the ON position and
the engine is off. The
light also illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring electrical system
service.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily
illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON.
If the light fails to
illuminate, continues to flash or remains on, have
the system serviced immediately.
Low washer fluid
Illuminates when the
ignition is turned to ON
and when the
windshield washer fluid
is low.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime,
refer to theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning
chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to
theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Instrumentation
11

Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the
OFF/LOCK or ACC position and either front door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are
on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the
ignition) and either front door is opened.
GAUGES
Standard instrument cluster gauges
Optional instrument cluster gauges
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
12

Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
²Standard instrument
cluster
²Optional instrument
cluster
Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
²Standard instrument
cluster
²SHO instrument
cluster (if equipped)
Driving with your tachometer pointer in the red
zone may damage the engine.
1020304050 60
70
80
90
100
110
0
0 20406080100
120
140
160
180P R N D D 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
110
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
RPMx1000
PREMIUM UNLEADED
FUEL RECOMMENDED0 1234
5
6
78
Instrumentation
13

Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the
temperature of the
engine coolant. At
normal operating
temperature, the
needle remains within
the normal area (the
area between the ªHº
and ªCº). If it enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine immediately and let
the engine cool. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine
coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at
its proper level the gauge indication will not be
accurate.
Odometer
Registers the total
kilometers (miles) of
the vehicle.
C H
102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
110
Instrumentation
14

Trip odometer
Registers the
kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys. To
reset, depress the
control.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately
how much fuel is in
the fuel tank (when
the key is in the ON
position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly
when the vehicle is in
motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF
position while the vehicle is being refueled. When
the gauge first indicates empty, there is a small
amount of reserve fuel in the tank. When refueling
the vehicle from empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less than the
advertised capacity due to the reserve fuel.
102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
110
EF
Instrumentation
15

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp
control to the first
position to turn on the
parking lamps only.
Rotate to the second
position to also turn on
the headlamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the highbeam headlamps on with a reduced
output. To activate:
²the engine must be running and
²the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking
lamps position.
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
will not illuminate the tail lamps and parking
lamps. Turn on your headlamps at dusk. Failure to
do so may result in a collision.
High beams
Push forward to
activate.
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
Controls and features
16