1998 FORD TAURUS fuel cap

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

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

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in
an overfilled tank may cause leakage and
lead to fuel spray and fire.
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the
pressure in the fuel tank can damage the
fuel system or cause it to work improperly in a
collision.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you hear a
hissing sound, wait until it stops before completely
removing the cap.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or
death if misused or mishandled.
Observe the following guidelines when handling
automotive fuel:
²Extinguish all
smoking materials
and any open flames
before fueling your
vehicle.
²Always turn off the
vehicle before
fueling.
Maintenance and care
155

²Automotive fuels can be harmful or fatal if
swallowed. Fuel such as gasoline is highly toxic
and if swallowed can cause death or permanent
injury. If fuel is swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be
visible for hours.
²Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel
vapor of any kind can lead to eye and respiratory
tract irritation. In severe cases, excessive or
prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause
serious illness and permanent injury.
²Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is
splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if
worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and seek
medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical
attention could lead to permanent injury.
²Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the
skin. If fuel is splashed on the skin and/or
clothing, promptly remove contaminated clothing
and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Repeated or prolonged skin contact with fuel
liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
²Be particularly careful if you are taking
ªAntabuseº or other forms of disulfiram for the
treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors, or skin contact could cause an adverse
reaction. In sensitive individuals, serious personal
injury or sickness may result. If fuel is splashed
on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with
soap and water. Consult a physician immediately
if you experience an adverse reaction.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with
a one-eighth turn on/off feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
Maintenance and care
156

2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8
of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with
the notches on the filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
If the ªService Engine Soon/Check Engine ª indicator
comes on and stays on when you start the engine,
the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed.
Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap and
reinstall it being careful to align the cap properly.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace
it with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank or fuel system if an authorized
Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel filler cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before
completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
the pressure in the fuel tank can damage
the fuel system or cause it to work improperly in a
collision.
Maintenance and care
157

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L V6
Vulcan
engine3.0L V6
Duratec
engine3.4L-32V
V8 SHO
engine
Air filter FA-1630 FA-1630 FA-1630
Fuel filter FG-800-A FG-800-A FG-800-A
Battery
(standard)BXT-58R BXT-36R BXT-36R
Battery
(optional)BXT-36R N/A N/A
Cabin air
filterFP-6 FP-6 FA-1628
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-820-S FL-400-S
PCV valve EV-228 EV-152 EV-234
Spark
plugs*
AWSF-32PP**AWSF-32F AWSF-32FM
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information
(VECI) decal for spark plug gap information.
** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must
be reinstalled in the same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1,
2 and 3 have a ªPGº suffix. Cylinders No. 4, 5 and 6
have a ªPº suffix. If a spark plug needs to be
replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part
number suffix letter9PP9as shown on the engine
decal.
Capacities and specifications
176

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake
fluidHigh
Performance
DOT 3
Motor
Vehicle
Brake FluidAll Fill to line
on
reservoir
Engine
coolant
13.0L V6
Vulcan
engine11.0L (11.6
quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec and
3.4L-32V V8
SHO engine10.0L (10.6
quarts)
Engine oil
(includes
filter
change)Motorcraft
5W30 Super
Premium
Motor Oil3.0L V6
Vulcan
engine4.25L (4.5
quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec
engine5.2L (5.5
quarts)
3.4L-32V V8
SHO engine6.1L (6.5
quarts)
Fuel tank
capacityN/A All vehicles 60.6L (16.0
gallons)
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT F3.0L V6
Vulcan
engineKeep in
FULL
range on
dipstick
3.0L V6
Duratec and
3.4L-32V V8
SHO engineFill to line
on
reservoir
Capacities and specifications
177

ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord
Part
NumberFord
Specification
Engine
coolantFord
Premium
Engine
Coolant
(green in
color)E2FZ-
19549-
AAESE-
M97B44-A
Ford
Extended
Life Engine
Coolant
(orange in
color)F6AZ-
19544-
AAWSS-
M97B44-D or
DEX-COOLt
equivalent
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT FXT-2-
QDXMERCONt
Windshield
washer
fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-
19550-
ABESR-M17P5-A
ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.0L V6
Vulcan
engine3.0L V6
Duratec
engine3.4L-32V
V8 SHO
engine
Cubic inches 182 181 207
Horsepower 145 @
5250 rpm200 @
5750 rpm235 @
6100 rpm
Torque 170 lb.-ft.
@ 3250
rpm200 lb.-ft.
@ 4500
rpm230 lb.-ft.
@ 4800
rpm
Recommended
fuel87 octane 87 octane 91 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-5-4-2-6-
3-7-8
Capacities and specifications
180