1999 FORD TAURUS check engine light

²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel
economy (approximately 2 km/h [1 mpg] is lost
for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for
example bug deflectors, rollover/light bars,
running boards, ski/luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel
economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 12±16 km
(8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel
economy as compared to driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when
operated in the top cruise gear and with steady
pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
Maintenance and care
174

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine compartment
and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,
ªService Engine Soonº light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostics system.
If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light is
on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of theInstrumentation
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
Maintenance and care
176

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

exterior .................. 185
exterior lamps ....... 187
instrument panel .. 188
interior ................... 188
plastic parts .......... 187
safety belts ............ 189
washing .................. 184
waxing ................... 184
wheels .................... 185
wiper blades .......... 187
Clock ..................... 33,41
Console ...................... 56
Controls
power seat ............... 75
Coolant ...... 150,152,153
checking
and adding ............ 151
refill
capacities ........ 153,191
specifications.. 193,194
Customer
Assistance ................ 200
Ford accessories for
your vehicle .......... 209
Ford Extended
Service Plan .......... 201
Getting assistance
outside the U.S.
and Canada ........... 208
Getting roadside
assistance .............. 200
Getting the service
you need ............... 202
Ordering additional
owner's literature... 214
The Dispute
Settlement Board... 204
Defrost
rear window ............ 18
Dipstick
engine oil ............... 145Doors
central unlocking .... 54
door ajar warning ..... 7
Driving under special
conditions
through water ....... 118
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ........ 135
Emission
control system ......... 175
Engine ............... 194,195
check engine/service
engine soon light ...... 7
coolant ................... 150
idle speed control.. 157
lubrication
specifications.. 193,194
refill capacities ...... 191
service
points ....... 143,144,145
starting after a
collision ................. 124
Engine
block heater ............ 105
Engine oil ................ 145
checking and
adding ............. 145,147
dipstick .................. 145
filter,
specifications.. 147,190
recommendations... 147
refill
capacities ........ 145,191
specifications ........ 145
147,193,194
Exhaust fumes ........ 105
Floor mats ................. 56
Fluid capacities ....... 191
Fuel .......................... 165
calculating fuel
economy ................ 171
cap ......................... 167
Index
217

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