1999 FORD TAURUS ESP

Plain water may be added in an emergency, but you
mustreplace it with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and
distilled water as soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the
next few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary,
add enough of a 50/50 mixture of coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level into the cold
fill range on the reservoir.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
If you must remove the coolant reservoir cap, follow
these steps to avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off
and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap. Slowly turn cap counterclockwise
until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been
released, use the cloth to turn it counterclockwise
and remove the cap.
Change your engine coolant according to the
appropriate schedule listed in the Scheduled
Maintenance Guide.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant
which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44±A, and
use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and disposing
of automotive fluids.
Maintenance and care
152

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.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10
miles) or more to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle
trim, the idle quality of your vehicle may be
adversely affected until the idle trim is eventually
relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new
battery has been installed, the clock and the preset
radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of
automotive batteries
in a responsible
manner. Follow your
local authorized
standards for
disposal. Call your
local authorized
recycling center to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when
they seem less effective. Substances such as tree sap
and some hot wax treatments used by commercial
car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both
the windshield and wiper blades using undiluted
windshield wiper solution or a mild detergent. Rinse
thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
159

temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after
the vehicle has been parked for at least one hour
or has been driven less than 5 km (3 miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the Certification Label.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs,
they often wear differently. To make sure your tires
wear evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated
in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide. If you notice
that the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
Maintenance and care
162

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.
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
Maintenance and care
166

EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window
sticker. Contact your dealer if the window sticker is
not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA window
sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy
comparisons with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left
corner of the window sticker. These numbers
represent the Range of Km/L (MPG) expected on
the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel
economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission
control components and a catalytic converter which
will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the
catalytic converter and other emission control
components continue to work properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is
moving, especially at high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your Scheduled
Maintenance Guide performed according to the
specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide are essential to the
life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized
parts are used for maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability.
Maintenance and care
175

Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle
regularly with cold or
lukewarm water. Never
use strong detergents or
soap. If your vehicle is
particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash
detergent. Always use a
clean sponge, washing glove or similar device and
plenty of water for best results. To avoid spots, avoid
washing when the hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to
wash the vehicle on a regular basis. Large quantities
of dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas,
before entering a car wash. If you have wax applied
to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry
them.
Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This
could be every three or four months, depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth to remove
any bugs before waxing vehicle. Use tar remover to
remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have
wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
Maintenance and care
184

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specifi-
cation
Brake fluid High Per-
formance
DOT 3
Motor
Vehicle
Brake FluidC6AZ-
19542-ABESA-
M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door latch,
hood latch,
auxiliary
hood latch,
seat tracks,
trunk and
liftgate
latchesMulti-
Purpose
GreaseDOAZ-
19584-AA
or F5AZ-
19G209-AAESA-
M1C93-B
or ESR-
M1C159-A
Lock
cylindersPenetrating
and Lock
LubricantE8AE-
19A501-Bnone
Automatic
transaxle
(AX4S and
AX4N)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM
MERCONtV
Engine oil Motorcraft
5W-30
Super
Premium
Motor OilXO-
5W30-QSPWSS-
M2C153-G
and API
Certification
Mark
Constant
velocity
jointsCV Joint
Grease
(High
Temp.)E43Z-
19590-AESP-
M1C207-A
Capacities and specifications
193

To receive roadside assistance in the United States
for Ford or Mercury vehicles, call 1-800-241-3673 or
if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call 1±800±521±4140.
In Canada call 1±800±665±2006.
Should you need to arrange assistance for yourself,
Ford will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain
information about reimbursement, call
1-800-241-3673 in the United States for Ford or
Mercury vehicles; or if you own a Lincoln vehicle,
call 1±800±521±4140. Call 1±800±665±2006 in
Canada.
Ford extended service plan
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP is an optional
service contract which is backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford Motor Service Company (in the
U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in Canada). It provides:
²Protection against repair costs after your New
Vehicle Limited Warranty period expires;
and
²Other benefits during the warranty period (such
as reimbursement for rentals and towing.)
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury or Ford of Canada dealer.
There are several plans available in various time,
distance and deductible combinations which can be
tailored to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also
offers reimbursement benefits for towing and rental
coverage. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for
details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind
protection throughout the United States and Canada,
provided by a network of more than 5,200
participating Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended
Service Plan at the time of purchasing your vehicle,
Customer assistance
201