2001 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
189

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 or Tire 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 recommended
that steel wheels are used of the same size and specifications as those
originally installed.
Maintenance and care
191

high beam .............................8, 17
replacing bulbs .......................204
turning on and off ....................17
warning chime ..........................14
Heating ........................................19
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................19
Hood ..........................................163
I
Ignition .................................52, 226
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................114
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................203
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................220
cluster ..................................8, 220
lighting up panel and interior .18
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................152
positioning ...............................152
storage .....................................152
Jump-starting your vehicle ......156
K
Keyless entry system .................76
autolock .....................................78
keypad .......................................76
locking and unlocking doors ....77
programming entry code .........76
Keys .................................79±80, 82
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........52L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................18
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................213
cargo lamps ...............................18
daytime running light ...............17
headlamps .................................17
headlamps, flash to pass ..........17
instrument panel, dimming .....18
interior lamps .....................58±59
replacing
bulbs ........203±204, 207±209, 211
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................56
Liftgate ..................................66, 71
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................13
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....12, 128
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................13
check coolant ............................12
cruise indicator .........................12
door ajar ......................................9
fuel cap light ...............................9
high beam ...................................8
low coolant ................................11
low fuel ......................................11
oil pressure ...............................13
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ..................10
speed control ............................56
traction control active ................8
turn signal indicator ...................8
Load limits .................................137
GAWR ......................................137
GVWR ......................................137
trailer towing ..........................137
Index
246

Servicing your vehicle ..............162
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................222, 226
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................224, 226
Speed control ..............................53
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ........122, 124
jump starting ..........................156
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................58
T
Tachometer .................................15
Tires ...........................152, 188±190
changing ..........................152±153
checking the pressure ............190
replacing ..................................191
rotating ....................................190
snow tires and chains ............191
tire grades ...............................189
treadwear ................................189
Towing .......................................139
recreational towing .................142
trailer towing ..........................139
wrecker ....................................161
Traction control ..................52, 130
active light ..................................8
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............132
fluid, refill capacities ..............223
lubricant specifications ..........226
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................178lubricant specifications ..........224
Trip odometer .............................16
Trunk .........................67, 69, 71, 83
remote release ..........................66
Turn signal ..............................8, 56
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................226
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................229
Vehicle loading ..........................137
Ventilating your vehicle ...........126
W
Warning chimes .....................13±14
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................170
Water, Driving through .............138
Windows
power .........................................62
rear wiper/washer .....................57
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....170
checking and cleaning ....187±188
liftgate reservoir .....................171
operation ...................................56
replacing wiper blades ...........188
Wrecker towing .........................161
Index
248