2002 FORD TAURUS brakes

Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave
your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
Your automatic transaxle electronically controls the shift feel by using an
adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to optimize shift
smoothness. It is normal for your transaxle to shift firmly during the first
few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation until the adaptive strategy
has been learned. The adaptive learning strategy is maintained by power
from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the transaxle must relearn its adaptive strategy. Optimal
shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers (miles) of
operation.
Your automatic overdrive transaxle
provides fully automatic operation in
either
(Overdrive) or D (Drive).
Driving with the shift selector in
(Overdrive) gives the best fuel
economy for normal driving
conditions. For manual control start
in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
console mounted gearshift, you
must press the thumb button on the
side of the gearshift lever to move
the gearshift lever from P (Park).
To put your vehicle in gear, start the
engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move the gearshift lever out of
P (Park).
Driving
149

When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of the parking
brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in Park (P). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running. If you do not take these precautions, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver's door pillar.
Driving
153

Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both gross vehicle weight and front and rear gross
axle weight rating limits. Under no circumstance should these limitations
be exceeded.
Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. The amount of
weight you can safely tow depends on the type of engine you have in
your vehicle. Your vehicle does not come from the factory fully equipped
to tow. No towing packages are available through Ford or
Mercury/Lincoln dealers. Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 800 km (500 miles). If towing with a station wagon, inflate
the rear tires to 35 psi.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transaxle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components
carefully after towing.
In order to identify your vehicle's engine, refer toIdentifying
components in the engine compartmentin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
The amount of weight that you can tow depends on the type of engine in
your vehicle. See the following charts:
3.0L 2-Valve Vulcan Engine
Model Passenger Load
- #/kg (lbs.)Luggage Load -
kg (lbs.)Max Trailer Wt.-
kg (lbs.)
Sedan 5/340 (750) 0 365 (800)
4/270 (600) 70 (150) 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 500 (1 100)
2/135 (300) 0 565 (1 250)
Wagon 4/270 (600) 0 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 430 (950)
2/135 (300) 0 500 (1 100)
The above chart is based on the specified vehicle at a maximum GCW
(Vehicle weight + Trailer weight) equal to 2 245 kg (4 950 lbs.).
Driving
155

If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills.
This will eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum
fuel economy and transaxle cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Driving
157

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
ALL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) VEHICLES
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged. It is not recommended to
tow front wheel drive vehicles with the front drive wheels on the ground.
It is recommended to tow your vehicle with the drive wheels on a dolly
or two wheel car hauling trailer.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following
conditions:
²Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
²Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
²Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
Driving
158

BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid from
a clean un-opened container until
the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford specification ESA-M6C25±A. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
MAX
Maintenance and Specifications
225

A
Accessory delay ..........................70
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........121±122, 126
and child safety seats ............124
description ......................122, 126
disposal ....................................128
driver air bag ..........121, 125, 127
indicator light ...................12, 125
operation .................121, 125, 127
passenger air bag ...121, 125, 127
side air bag ..............................126
Air cleaner filter .......................232
Air conditioning ..........................43
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................40
Air filter, cabin ............................50
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................207
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................143±144
Anti-theft system ........................98
arming the system ....................98
disarming a triggered
system .......................................99
warning light .............................14
Automatic transaxle .................148
driving with .............................150
fluid, adding ............................226
fluid, checking ........................226
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specification ..................236
Auxiliary power point .................69
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........234B
Battery .......................................205
acid, treating emergencies .....205
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....172
maintenance-free ....................205
replacement,
specifications ..........................232
servicing ..................................205
Belt minder ...............................116
Brakes ........................................143
anti-lock ...........................143±144
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 144
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....225
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specifications .........234, 236
lubricant
specifications ..................234, 236
parking ....................................145
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ............74
shift interlock ..........................148
Break-in period .............................6
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....233
Cargo area shade ........................83
Cargo cover .................................82
Cargo net ...............................81±82
CD changer .................................35
Cellular telephone (see your
Cellular Phone Guide) ................79
Certification Label ....................238
Index
243

high beam ...........................14, 52
replacing bulbs .........................58
turning on and off ....................51
warning chime ..........................15
Heating ........................................43
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................40
Hood ..........................................198
I
Ignition ...............................138, 236
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................130
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................223
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................193
cluster ................................10, 193
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................52
J
Jack ............................................168
positioning ...............................168
storage .....................................168
Jump-starting your vehicle ......172
K
Keyless entry system .................91
autolock .....................................94
keypad .......................................91
locking and unlocking doors ....93
programming entry code .........92
Keys .................................94±95, 97
key in ignition chime ...............15
positions of the ignition .........138L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................51
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................56
cargo lamps ...............................52
daytime running light ...............51
headlamps .................................51
headlamps, flash to pass ..........52
instrument panel, dimming .....52
interior lamps .....................54, 56
replacing
bulbs ..................56, 58, 60±62, 64
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................54
Liftgate ..................................81, 88
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....12, 144
anti-theft ...................................14
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................14
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar ....................................14
fuel cap light .............................11
high beam .................................14
low coolant ................................13
low fuel ......................................13
oil pressure ...............................13
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
speed control ............................78
traction control active ..............13
turn signal indicator .................14
Load limits .................................153
GAWR ......................................153
GVWR ......................................153
trailer towing ..........................153
Index
246