2000 FORD TAURUS warning

expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel (or E85, if equipped with the 3.0L FFV V6
engine).
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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
indicator, charging system warning light or the
temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or loss of
engine power, 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
Maintenance and care
188

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
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning Lights and Chimessection of the
Instrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
²Backup lamps
Maintenance and care
189

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

windows ..................................203
wiper blades ............................201
woodtone trim ........................203
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............18
Clock .......................................31,38
Console ........................................56
Controls
power seat .................................75
Coolant
checking and adding ..............157
refill capacities .................161,206
specifications ...................207,208
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................44
Customer Assistance ................130
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................219
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................212
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............218
Getting roadside assistance ...130
Getting the
service you need ....................212
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................223
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................215
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............218
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................16
Defrost
rear window ..............................17
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................163
engine oil .................................152
Doors
door ajar warning .......................9
lubricant specifications ..........207Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................124
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................142
Emission control system ..........188
Engine ........................................208
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........9
cleaning ...................................201
coolant .....................................157
idle speed control ...................171
lubrication
specifications ...................207,208
refill capacities ........................206
service points ...................150,151
starting after a collision .........131
Engine block heater .................111
Engine oil ..................................152
checking and adding ..............152
dipstick ....................................152
filter, specifications .........154,205
recommendations ...................154
refill capacities ........................206
specifications ...................207,208
Exhaust fumes ..........................112
Floor mats ...................................56
Fluid capacities .........................206
Fuel ............................................178
calculating fuel economy .......184
cap ...........................................181
capacity ...................................206
choosing the right fuel ...........182
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................187
detergent in fuel .....................184
filling your vehicle
with fuel ....................178,181,185
filter, specifications .........184,205
fuel pump shut-off switch .....131
gauge .........................................15
improving fuel economy ........184
Index
226

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

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