1998 FORD TAURUS parking brake

2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle,
pull the hood release
handle located under
the bottom 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.
3. Lift the hood until
the lift cylinders hold it open.
Maintenance and care
129

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the9Service Guide9for the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil .
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P.
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully
remove the engine oil
indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully,
then remove it again.
²If the oil level isbetween the ADD and FULL
marks or between the MIN and MAX marks
(depending on application),the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
ADD 1 QTFULL
MAX MIN
Maintenance and care
133

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the
parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on
the brake pedal, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow
sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the
engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean,
dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in
the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level.
The fluid should be in the designated areas for
normal and room temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the
vehicle if the fluid level
is at the bottom of the
dipstick and the outside temperatures are above
10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal
operating temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on
a level surface. The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid
should be in this range
if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC [150ÉF-170ÉF]).
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
Maintenance and care
143

When lifting a plastic-cased battery,
excessive pressure on the end walls could
cause acid to flow through the vent caps, resulting
in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or
with your hands on opposite corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when
working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with
water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get
prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call
a physician immediately.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed,
the engine must relearn its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this
process:
1. Set your parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all
accessories and start the engine.
3. Let the engine idle for at least one minute.
4. The relearning process will automatically
complete as you drive the vehicle.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle,
the idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is eventually relearned.
Maintenance and care
146

Wagon
1. Remove screw and
the license plate lamp
assembly from liftgate.
2. Remove bulb socket
by turning
counterclockwise .
3. Carefully pull the
bulb out from the
socket and push in the
new bulb.
4. Install the lamp assembly on liftgate with screw.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified
technician.
Replacing tail lamp/backup bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified
technician.
REPLACING THE INTERIOR BULBS
Check the operation of the following interior bulbs
frequently:
²interior overhead lamp
²map lamp
Using the right bulbs
Function Trade Number
Front side marker lamp 194
Front park/turn lamp 3457 NA
Headlamp 9007
Tail lamp/brake lamp 3157
Rear turn lamp 3456K
Backup lamp 3156
License plate lamp 168
Maintenance and care
166

Panic alarm feature,
remote entry
system ........................ 45
Parking brake ............ 92
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ............. 113
Power door locks ...... 37
Power steering .......... 93
fluid, checking and
adding ............. 141,142
Relays ............... 110,116
Remote entry
system ........................ 44
illuminated entry .... 45
locking/unlocking
doors ........................ 44
replacement/additional
transmitters ............. 46
replacing the
batteries .................. 46
Safety restraints ........ 63
cleaning the safety
belts .................. 66,175
extension
assembly .................. 65
for children ... 72,73,74
lap belt .................... 62
warning light and
chime ............. 11,65,66
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ... 58,59,60,61
Seats .......................... 55
child safety seats .... 75
cleaning ... 173,174,175
Servicing your
vehicle ...................... 128
Spark plugs,
specifications ........... 176
Specification chart,
lubricants ................. 179
Speed control ............ 29
Speedometer ............. 13Starting your
vehicle .............. 85,86,87
jump
starting .... 122,123,125
Steering wheel
tilting ....................... 34
Tachometer ............... 13
Tires .................. 150,152
changing ................ 119
checking the
pressure ................. 152
replacing ................ 153
rotating .................. 153
snow tires
and chains ............. 154
treadwear .............. 151
Towing
wrecker .................. 127
Transaxle
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 177
Transmission ........... 142
fluid, checking
and adding
(automatic) .......... 142,
143,144
Trip odometer ........... 15
Trunk
remote release
lever ......................... 40
Vehicle dimensions . 181
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ......... 184
Vehicle loading ........ 101
Ventilating your
vehicle ........................ 89
Warning chimes ........... 6
Washer fluid ............ 137
Wheels
anti-theft
lug nuts .......... 118,119
Windows ............... 36,37
Index
188