1998 FORD TAURUS maintenance

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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Copyright
r1998 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

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.
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Instrumentation
6

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.
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Instrumentation
9

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

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.
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Instrumentation
14

Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt
is not buckled before
the ignition switch is
turned to the ON
position...The safety belt warning
light illuminates for one
to two minutes and the
warning chime sounds
for four to eight seconds.
The driver's safety belt
is buckled while the
indicator light is
illuminated and the
warning chime is
sounding...The safety belt warning
light and warning chime
turn off.
The driver's safety belt
is buckled before the
ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...The safety belt warning
light and indicator chime
remain off.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make
sure they work properly and are not damaged.
Inspect the safety belts to make sure there are no
nicks, wears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All
safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles,
front seat belt buckle assemblies (slide bar)(if
equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), child safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware,
should be inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in
vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However,
if the collision was minor and a qualified technician
finds that the belts do not show damage and
continue to operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected and replaced if
either damage or improper operation is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
66

Failure to inspect and if necessary replace
the safety belt asembly under the above
conditions could result in severe personal injuries
in the event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety
beltsin theMaintenance and caresection.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS)
Important supplemental restraint system (SRS)
precautions
The supplemental
restraint system is
designed to work with
the safety belt to help
protect the driver and
right front passenger
from certain upper
body injuries.
Air bags DO NOT
inflate slowly or gently
and the risk of injury
from a deploying air bag is greatest close to the trim
covering the air bag module.
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Seating and safety restraints
67

Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument
cluster or a tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag readinesssection in
theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance
of the air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or
more of the following:
²The readiness light
will either flash or
stay lit.
²The readiness light
will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the problem
and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently,
have the SRS serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately. Unless serviced,
the system may not function properly in the event of
a collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped
vehicles
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles,
see your local dealership or qualified technician. Air
bags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
See the following sections for directions on how to
properly use safety restraints for children. Also see
Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)in
this chapter for special instructions about using air
bags.
Seating and safety restraints
72