2000 FORD TAURUS traction control

U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive 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.
Maintenance and care
175

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
Maintenance and care
177

brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................11
cruise indicator .........................11
door ajar ......................................9
high beam ...................................8
low coolant ................................10
low fuel ......................................10
oil pressure ...............................12
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ....................9
speed control ............................46
traction control active ................8
turn signal indicator ...................8
Load limits .................................123
GAWR ......................................123
GVWR ......................................123
trailer towing ..........................123
Locks
autolock .....................................69
childproof ..................................54
Lubricant specifications ....207,208
Lumbar support, seats ...............76
Mirrors .........................................51
cleaning ...................................200
heated ........................................55
side view mirrors (power) .......55
Moon roof ....................................51
Motorcraft parts .................184,205
Octane rating ............................182
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................152
Overdrive ...................................119
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................61
Parking brake ............................115
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....205
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................43
Power adjustable foot pedals .....43
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................136Power door locks ........................54
Power steering ..........................117
fluid, checking and adding ....162
fluid, refill capacity ................206
fluid, specifications ..........207,208
Radio ............................................28
Relays .................................133,138
Remote entry system ............60,61
illuminated entry ......................62
locking/unlocking doors ......60,61
opening the trunk .....................61
panic alarm ...............................61
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................62
replacing the batteries .............63
Roof rack ...................................129
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .....13,78,80
81,82,83,84,86
Safety defects, reporting ..........224
Safety restraints ......78,80,81,82,83
84,85,86,88
belt minder ...............................90
cleaning the safety belts ...93,203
extension assembly ..................89
for adults ....................81,82,83,84
for children ......................100,101
lap belt ......................................87
warning light and chime ..9,13,89
Safety seats for children ..........102
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............78
Seats ............................................74
child safety seats ....................102
cleaning ............................203,204
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ....................70,71
Servicing your vehicle ..............148
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................205,208
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................207,208
Index
228

Speed control ..............................44
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .........108,110
jump starting ..........................142
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................49
Tachometer .................................14
Tires ......................138,174,175,176
changing ...........................138,139
checking the pressure ............176
replacing ..................................177
rotating ....................................176
snow tires and chains ............177
tire grades ...............................175
treadwear ................................175
Towing ................................125,176
recreational towing .................128
trailer towing ..........................125
wrecker ....................................147
Traction control ...................43,116
active light ..................................8
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............118
fluid, refill capacities ..............206
lubricant specifications ..........208
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................163lubricant specifications ..........207
Trip odometer .............................15
Trunk ............................58,60,61,72
remote release ..........................57
Turn signal ...............................8,47
Vehicle dimensions ...................208
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................211
Vehicle loading ..........................123
Ventilating your vehicle ...........112
Warning chimes ...........................13
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................156
Water, Driving through .............124
Windows
power .........................................53
rear wiper/washer .....................48
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....156
checking and cleaning .....173,174
liftgate reservoir .....................157
operation ...................................47
replacing wiper blades ...........174
Wrecker towing .........................147
Index
229