1998 FORD TAURUS power steering

Pull the release lever
to release the brake.
Driving with the
parking brake on will
cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and
reduce fuel economy.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help steer
the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or the extreme left for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power
steering pump fluid level.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle
manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could
be caused by any of the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
Driving
93

Fuse/
Relay
LocationFuse
Amp
RatingDescription
29 Ð Fuel Pump Relay
30 Ð PCM Relay
31 Ð Low Speed Cooling Fan Relay
32 Ð PCM Diode
33 Ð A/C Clutch Diode
34 Ð Not Used
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
1Fuses 4 and 6 will vary depending on date of
vehicle build.
Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and
should be replaced by qualified technicians.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease your
speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly
move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled
as such. It is smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only.
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose
control of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or
others.
Roadside emergencies
116

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
3.0L V6 Vulcan engine
1. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Air filter assembly
4. Battery
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
12
3
4567
8
9
Maintenance and care
130

3.0L V6 Duratec engine
1. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Air filter assembly
4. Battery
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
8912
3
4
56
7
Maintenance and care
131

3.4L-32V V8 SHO engine
1. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Air filter assembly
4. Battery
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Engine oil filler cap
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
V8 32 VALVE
8
9123
456
7
Maintenance and care
132

increase the engine coolant concentration above
60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power
steering fluid. Refer to
the ªService Guideº for
the service interval
schedules. If adding
fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches
normal operating temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be near the center
of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
Perform steps 4 and 5 following the procedure for
your engine.
3.0L Vulcan engine
4. Check the fluid level
on the dipstick. It
should be between the
arrows in the FULL
HOT range. Do not add
fluid if the level is
within this range.
FULL HOT
Maintenance and care
141

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