1999 FORD TAURUS warning

Important child restraint precautions
You are required by law to use safety restraints for
children in the U.S. and Canada. If small children
ride in your vehicle (generally children who are four
years old or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs]
or less), you must put them in safety seats made
especially for children. Check your local and state or
provincial laws for specific requirements regarding
the safety of children in your vehicle.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or
her lap while the vehicle is moving. The
passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a
collision.
Always follow the instructions and warnings that
come with any infant or child restraint you might
use.
When possible, always place children under age 12
in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics
suggest that children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating positions than in the
front seating position.
Children and safety belts
If the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a
safety seat.
Children who are too large for child safety seats (as
specified by your child safety seat manufacturer)
should always wear safety belts.
Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag
precautions that apply to adult passengers in your
vehicle.
If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and
shoulder belt can be positioned so it does not cross
or rest in front of the child's face or neck, the child
should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the
child closer to the center of the vehicle may help
provide a good shoulder belt fit.
Seating and safety restraints
94

BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled
maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not
indicate a performance concern with the vehicle's
brake system. In normal operation, automotive brake
systems may emit occasional or intermittent squeal
or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such
noises are usually heard during the first few brake
applications in the morning; however, they may be
heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as
cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt or mud. If a
ªmetal-to-metalº, ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking,
the brake linings may be worn-out and should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking
system (ABS), a noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal may be observed
during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled
with noise while braking under panic conditions or
on loose gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads is
normal and indicates proper functioning of the
vehicle's anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a
self-check at 17 km/h (10 mph) after you start the
engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical
noise may be heard during this test. This is normal.
If a malfunction is found, the ABS warning light will
come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Driving
107

The ABS operates by
detecting the onset of
wheel lockup during
brake applications
and compensating for
this tendency. The
wheels are prevented
from locking even
when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with
loss of front braking traction.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster
momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned
on and the engine is off. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or
continues to flash, the ABS needs to be serviced.
With the ABS light on,
the anti-lock brake
system is disabled and
normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released. (If your
brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately).
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency
from the ABS is required, apply continuous full
force on the brake. The ABS will be activated
immediately, thus allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle and, providing
there is sufficient space, will enable you to avoid
obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled
stop.
²The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce
P!
BRAKE
Driving
108

stopping distance. Always leave enough room
between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of
you to stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with
this braking technique. However, avoid taking any
unnecessary risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking
brake whenever the
vehicle is parked. To
set the parking brake,
press the parking brake
pedal down until the
pedal stops.
The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument
cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated
(when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking
brake is released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park).
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a
moving vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail,
the parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle
in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance
will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle
will be adversely affected.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
109

If the parking brake is fully released, but the
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the
brakes may not be working properly. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
Your automatic transaxle electronically controls the
shift feel by using an adaptive learning strategy. This
feature is designed to optimize shift smoothness. It
is normal for your transaxle to shift firmly during the
first few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation
until the adaptive strategy has been learned. The
adaptive learning strategy is maintained by power
from the battery. When the battery is disconnected
or a new battery is installed, the transaxle must
relearn its adaptive strategy. Optimal shifting will
resume within a few hundred kilometers (miles) of
operation.
Your automatic
overdrive transaxle
provides fully
automatic operation in
either
(Overdrive)
or D (Drive). Driving
with the shift selector
in
(Overdrive) gives
the best fuel economy
for normal driving conditions. For manual control
start in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
If your vehicle is
equipped with a
console mounted
gearshift, you must
press the thumb button
on the side of the
gearshift to move the
gearshift from P
(Park).
Driving
112

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