2000 FORD TAURUS adding oil

²If the oil level is below the add
1QT or MIN mark, add enough oil
to raise the level within the
1QT-FULL or the MIN-MAX range
(depending on application).
²Oil levels above the F in FULL or above the MAX mark, may cause
engine damage. Some oil must be removed from the engine by a
service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark or the letter F in FULL on the engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Maintenance and care
153

Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate (if equipped)
The opening for the reservoir is
located on the passenger side under
the tail lamp. Refill this reservoir
with the same fluid you use for your
windshield.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
Your engine's cooling system has been factory-filled with a 50/50 mixture
of distilled water and Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in
Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10), or an equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
A50/50 mixtureof distilled water and Ford Premium Engine Coolant
provides:
²maximum cooling system efficiency.
²freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²an accurate temperature readout from the engine coolant
gauge.
Maintenance and care
157

²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
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
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/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.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
Maintenance and care
187

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Brake fluid High Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine
coolant
1Premium Engine
Coolant3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine11.0L
(11.6 quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec engine10.0L
(10.6 quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-30 Super
Premium Motor Oil3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine4.25L
(4.5 quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec engine5.2L (5.5 quarts)
Fuel tank
capacityN/A All vehicles 68.1L
(18.0 gallons)
Power
steering fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT F3.0L V6 Vulcan
engineKeep in FULL
range on dipstick
3.0L V6
Duratec engineFill to line on
reservoir
Automatic
transaxle -
AX4NMotorcraft
MERCONtVATF3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine12.8L
(13.5 quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec engine12.7L
(13.4 quarts)
Automatic
transaxle -
AX4SMotorcraft
MERCONtVATF3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine11.6L
(12.2 quarts)
Windshield
washer fluid -
FrontUltra-Clear
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.8L (94.7 oz.)
Windshield
washer fluid -
RearUltra-Clear
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateWagon 1.8L (60.9 oz.)
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.
Capacities and specifications
206

Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Rear decklid spoilers
Touch-up paint
Universal floor mats
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
²When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
²The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
²Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or stall. In addition, such systems may be
damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door openers and
other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle's operation.)
²Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage
that may result from the use of such equipment.
Customer assistance
222

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

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