1999 FORD TAURUS brake fluid

If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3,
you will cause permanent damage to your
brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid
whenever you stop for
fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add
enough fluid to fill the
reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the
reservoir all the way.
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
Maintenance and care
149

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
scheduled intervals for fluid checks and changes.
Your transaxle does not consume fluid. However, the
fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not
working properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts
slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when
warmed. To obtain an accurate fluid check,
drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your
vehicle has been operated for an extended
period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should
be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
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 operating temperature.
Maintenance and care
155

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

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake
fluidHigh Per-
formance
DOT 3
Motor
Vehicle
Brake
FluidAll Fill to line
on reservoir
Engine
coolant
1Premium
Engine
Coolant3.0L V6
Vulcan
engine11.0L
(11.6
quarts)
3.0L DOHC
V6 Duratec
and
3.4L-32V V8
SHO engine10.0L
(10.6
quarts)
Engine oil
(includes
filter
change)Motorcraft
5W-30
Super
Premium
Motor Oil3.0L V6
Vulcan
engine4.25L
(4.5 quarts)
3.0L DOHC
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)
Capacities and specifications
191

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

Accessory delay ........ 54
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ... 88,89
and child
safety seats ............. 90
description .............. 89
disposal .................... 93
driver air bag .......... 91
indicator light .... 11,93
operation ................. 91
passenger air bag ... 91
Air cleaner filter ..... 190
Air conditioning ........ 18
automatic temperature
control system ........ 22
Anti-theft
system ......... 64,70,71,72
arming the system .. 64
disarming a
triggered system ..... 66
warning light ............. 9
Automatic
transaxle .................. 111
driving with ........... 113
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 191
fluid,
specification .......... 194
Battery ..................... 157
acid, treating
emergencies .......... 157
charging system
warning light ........... 10
jumping a disabled
battery ................... 135
maintenance-free .. 157
replacement,
specifications ........ 190
servicing ................ 157
Brakes ...................... 107
anti-lock .......... 107,108anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ...... 9,108
brake
warning light ........... 10
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 148
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 191
fluid,
specifications.. 193,194
lubricant
specifications.. 193,194
parking .................. 109
shift interlock ........ 111
Break-in period ........... 2
Capacities for
refilling fluids .......... 191
Cargo area shade ...... 59
Cargo cover ............... 59
Cargo net ................... 58
CD changer ............... 41
Cellular telephone
(see your Cellular
Phone Guide) ............ 56
Child safety
restraints ................... 94
child safety belts .... 94
child safety
seats .................... 95,96
Child safety seats.. 95,96
attaching with
tether straps ......... 100
built-in child seat ... 95
in front seat ............ 97
in rear seat ......... 97,99
tether anchorage
hardware ............... 100
Cleaning
your vehicle ............. 183
engine
compartment ......... 185
Index
216

Jump-starting
your vehicle ............. 135
Keyless entry
system ........................ 66
autolock ................... 69
keypad ..................... 66
locking and
unlocking doors ...... 68
programming
entry code ............... 67
Keys
key in ignition
chime ....................... 11
positions of the
ignition .................... 45
Lamps
autolamp system ..... 17
cargo lamps ............. 17
daytime running
light .......................... 16
headlamps ........ 16,178
headlamps,
flash to pass ............ 17
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 17
interior lamps .. 51,181
replacing bulbs ..... 177
178,179,180,181
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 49
Liftgate ...................... 61
remote release ........ 57
Lights, warning and
indicator ...................... 6
air bag ...................... 11
anti-lock
brakes (ABS) ..... 9,108
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 10
charging system ...... 10
cruise indicator ....... 10
door ajar .................... 7high beam ................. 6
low coolant ................ 9
low fuel ...................... 8
oil pressure ............. 10
safety belt ................. 7
service engine soon .. 7
speed control .......... 49
turn signal
indicator .................... 6
Load limits ............... 116
GAWR .................... 116
GVWR .................... 116
trailer towing ........ 116
Locks
childproof ................ 55
Lubricant
specifications .... 193,194
Lumbar support,
seats ........................... 76
Mirrors ....................... 52
heated ...................... 55
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 54
Moon roof .................. 52
Motorcraft
parts .................. 170,190
Octane rating .......... 169
Odometer ................... 14
Overdrive ................. 112
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry
system ........................ 62
Parking brake .......... 109
Parts (see
Motorcraft parts) .... 190
Power distribution
box (see Fuses) ...... 129
Power door locks ...... 54
Power steering ........ 110
fluid, checking
and adding ............ 153
Index
219