2000 FORD TAURUS maintenance

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 the following:
²benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items)
²protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper Warranty
expires
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and 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 5,000 participating Ford or 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, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options.
Getting the service you need
At home
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada have authorized dealerships to
service your vehicle. When you need warranty repairs your selling dealer
would like you to return to it for that service, but you may also take your
vehicle to another Ford Motor Company or Ford of Canada dealership
authorized for warranty repairs. Certain warranty repairs require special
training though, so not all dealers are authorized to perform all warranty
repairs. That means that depending on the warranty repair needed, the
vehicle may need to be taken to another dealer. If a particular dealership
can not assist you, then contact the Customer Assistance Center.
Customer assistance
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replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD (U.S. ONLY)
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
²an independent, third-party arbitration program for warranty disputes
²available free to owners and lessees of qualifying Ford Motor Company
vehicles
The Dispute Settlement Board may not be available in all states. Ford
Motor Company reserves the right to change eligibility limitations, modify
procedures and/or to discontinue this service without notice and without
incurring obligations per applicable state law.
What kinds of cases does the Board review?
Unresolved warranty repair concerns or vehicle performance as designed
concerns on Ford and Lincoln Mercury cars and Ford and Lincoln
Mercury light trucks which are within the terms of any applicable written
new vehicle warranty are eligible for review, except those involving:
²a non-Ford product
²a non-Ford dealership
²sales disputes between customer and dealer except those associated
with warranty repairs or concerns with the vehicle's performance as
designed
²a request for reimbursement of consequential expenses unless a
service or product concern is being reviewed
²items not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty (including
maintenance and wear items)
²alleged personal injury/property damage claims
²cases currently in litigation
²vehicles not used primarily for family, personal or household purposes
(except in states where the Dispute Settlement Board is required to
review commercial vehicles)
²vehicles with non-U.S. warranties
Customer assistance
215

Concerns are ineligible for review if the New Vehicle Limited Warranty
has expired at receipt of your application and, in certain states eligibility
is dependent upon the customer's possession of the vehicle.
Eligibility may differ according to state law. For example, see the unique
brochures for California, West Virginia, Georgia and Wisconsin
purchasers/lessees.
Board membership
The Board consists of:
²three consumer representatives
²a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership representative
Consumer candidates for Board membership are recruited and trained by
an independent consulting firm. The dealership Board member is chosen
from Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealership management, recognized for
their business leadership qualities.
What the Board needs
To have your case reviewed you must complete the application in the
DSB brochure and mail it to the address provided on the application
form. Some states will require you to use certified mail, with return
receipt requested.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined to be eligible, you
will receive an acknowledgment indicating:
²the file number assigned to your application
²the toll-free phone number of the DSB's independent administrator
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Company representative will then be
asked to submit statements.
To properly review your case, the Board needs the following information:
²legible copies of all documents and maintenance or repair orders
relevant to the case
²the year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license
²the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of occurrence(s)
²the current mileage
²the name of the dealer(s) who sold or serviced the vehicle
²a brief description of your unresolved concern
Customer assistance
216

Accessory delay ..........................54
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ................94,95,98
and child safety seats ..............96
description ...........................95,98
disposal ....................................100
driver air bag ..................94,97,99
indicator light ......................12,97
operation .........................94,97,99
passenger air bag ...........94,97,99
side air bag ................................98
Air cleaner filter .......................205
Air conditioning ..........................18
automatic temperature
control system ..........................21
Air filter, cabin ..........................166
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................157
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................113,114
Anti-theft system ........................64
arming the system ....................64
disarming a triggered system ..66
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........28
Automatic transaxle .................118
driving with .............................120
fluid, adding ............................163
fluid, checking ........................163
fluid, refill capacities ..............206
fluid, specification ..................208
Auxiliary power point .................27
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........207
Battery .......................................171
acid, treating emergencies .....171
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....142
maintenance-free ....................171
replacement, specifications ...205
servicing ..................................171Belt minder .................................90
Brakes ........................................113
anti-lock ............................113,114
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........11,114
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....155
fluid, refill capacities ..............206
fluid, specifications ..........207,208
lubricant specifications ...207,208
parking ....................................115
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ............43
shift interlock ..........................118
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....206
Cargo area shade ........................59
Cargo cover .................................58
Cargo net .....................................58
CD changer .................................38
Cellular telephone
Wireless Interface Module .......51
Certification Label ....................210
Child safety restraints ..............101
child safety belts ....................101
Child safety seats ......................102
attaching with tether straps ..106
in front seat ............................103
in rear seat .......................103,106
Cleaning your vehicle ...............198
engine compartment ..............201
exterior ....................................200
exterior lamps .........................200
instrument panel ....................203
instrument panel lens ............203
interior ..............................203,204
mirrors .....................................200
plastic parts ............................200
safety belts ..............................203
washing ....................................199
waxing .....................................199
wheels ......................................200
Index
225

low fuel warning light ..............10
octane rating ....................182,208
quality ......................................183
running out of fuel .................184
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................178
Fuses ...................................133,134
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............181
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................184
Gauges .........................................13
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................14
fuel gauge ..................................15
odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................13
tachometer ................................14
trip odometer ............................15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....123
definition .................................123
driving with a heavy load ......123
location ....................................123
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............123
calculating ...............................123
definition .................................123
driving with a heavy load ......123
location ....................................123
Hazard flashers .........................131
Head restraints ...........................74
Headlamps ...................................16
aiming ......................................197
autolamp system .......................17
bulb specifications ..................196
daytime running lights .............16
flash to pass ..............................16
high beam ..............................8,16
replacing bulbs .......................190
turning on and off ....................16
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................18heating and
air conditioning system ............18
Hood ..........................................149
Ignition ..................................43,208
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................102
Inspection/
maintenance (I/M) testing .......189
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................203
cluster ...................................8,203
lighting up
panel and interior .....................17
location of components ..............8
Jump-starting your vehicle ......142
Keyless entry system .................67
autolock .....................................69
keypad .......................................67
locking and unlocking doors ....68
programming entry code .........67
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............13
positions of the ignition ...........43
Lamps
autolamp system .......................17
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................196
cargo lamps ...............................17
daytime running light ...............16
headlamps .................................16
headlamps, flash to pass ..........16
instrument panel, dimming .....17
interior lamps ......................49,50
replacing
bulbs ............189,190,192,193,194
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................47
Liftgate ...................................57,61
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....11,114
anti-theft ...................................11
Index
227

Item Information
Required fuel Refer to9Octane
recommendations9in the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Fuel tank capacity 68.1L (18 gallons)
Engine oil capacity (including filter
change)-3.0L V6 Vulcan engine4.25L (4.5 quarts). Use Motorcraft
SAE 5W-20 Super Premium Motor
Oil, Ford specification
WSS-M2C153-H.
Engine oil capacity (including filter
change)-3.0L DOHC V6 Duratec
engine5.2L (5.5 quarts). Use Motorcraft
SAE 5W-30 Super Premium Motor
Oil, Ford specification
WSS-M2C153-H.
Tire size and pressure Refer to Certification Label located
on driver's side door panel. Inflate
temporary spare to 414 kPa (60
psi).
Hood release Pull handle under the left side of
the instrument panel.
Coolant capacity (3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine)
111.0L (11.6 quarts)
Coolant capacity (3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine)
110.0L (10.6 quarts)
Power steering fluid capacity-3.0L
V6 Vulcan engineKeep in FULL range on dipstick.
Power steering fluid capacity-3.0L
DOHC V6 Duratec engineFill to line on reservoir.
Automatic transaxle capacity
(AX4N)-3.0L V6 Vulcan engine
212.8L (13.5 quarts). Use
Motorcraft MERCONtV ATF.
Automatic transaxle capacity
(AX4N)-3.0L DOHC V6 Duratec
engine
2
12.7L (13.4 quarts). Use
Motorcraft MERCONtV ATF.
Automatic transaxle capacity
(AX4S)-3.0L V6 Vulcan engine
211.6L (12.2. quarts). Use
Motorcraft MERCONtV ATF.
Filling station information
231

1Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance
Guide to determine the correct service interval.
Filling station information
232