2002 FORD TAURUS checking oil

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 OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P.
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
Maintenance and Specifications
202

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 it stops.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended.
Only use oils ªCertified For Gasoline Enginesº by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Use Motorcraft or an equivalent oil meeting
Ford specification WSS-M2C153±H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum
fuel economy and durability performance meeting all
requirements for your vehicle's engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the scheduled maintenance guide.
Maintenance and Specifications
204

²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock must be reset once the battery is reconnected.
²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36É C (-34É F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014±R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the ªcold fullº of ªcold fill rangeº level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding Engine Coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50±50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
²Freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²Boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
207

Child safety restraints ..............129
child safety belts ....................129
Child safety seats ......................130
attaching with tether straps ..134
in front seat ............................131
in rear seat ......................131, 134
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............191
exterior ....................................195
instrument cluster lens ..........193
instrument panel ....................193
interior .....................................194
plastic parts ............................192
safety belts ..............................195
washing ....................................189
waxing .....................................189
wheels ......................................190
windows ..................................195
wiper blades ............................193
woodtone trim ........................195
Clock ................................22, 27, 33
Compass, electronic ....................71
calibration .................................73
set zone adjustment .................72
Console ........................................78
Controls
power seat ...............................103
Coolant
checking and adding ..............207
refill capacities ................211, 233
specifications ..................234, 236
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................75
Customer Assistance ................159
Ford accessories for
your vehicle ............................195
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................181Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............185
Getting roadside assistance ...159
Getting the service
you need .................................179
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................186
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................182
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............185
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................51
Defrost
rear window ..............................50
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................226
engine oil .................................202
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........234
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................153
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................172
Emission control system ..........222
Engine ........................................236
check engine/service
engine soon light ......................10
cleaning ...................................191
coolant .....................................207
Index
244

idle speed control ...................205
lubrication
specifications ..................234, 236
refill capacities ........................233
service points ..................199±200
starting after a collision .........160
Engine block heater .................142
Engine oil ..................................202
checking and adding ..............202
dipstick ....................................202
filter, specifications ........204, 232
recommendations ...................204
refill capacities ........................233
specifications ..................234, 236
Exhaust fumes ..........................142
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....212
Floor mats ...................................80
Fluid capacities .........................233
Fuel ............................................212
calculating fuel economy .......219
cap .....................................11, 215
capacity ...................................233
choosing the right fuel ...........216
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................222
detergent in fuel .....................218
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................212, 215, 219
filter, specifications ........218, 232
fuel pump shut-off switch .....160
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........219
low fuel warning light ..............13
octane rating ...................216, 236
quality ......................................217
running out of fuel .................218safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................212
Fuses ..................................162±163
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......11, 215
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................219
Gauges .........................................16
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ..........................153
definition .................................153
driving with a heavy load ......153
location ....................................153
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................153
calculating ...............................153
definition .................................153
driving with a heavy load ......153
location ....................................153
H
Hazard flashers .........................160
Head restraints .........................101
Headlamps ...................................51
aiming ..................................52±53
autolamp system .......................51
bulb specifications ....................56
daytime running lights .............51
flash to pass ..............................52
Index
245

Locks
autolock .....................................94
childproof ..................................85
doors ..........................................85
Lubricant
specifications .....................234, 236
Lumbar support, seats .............101
M
Mirrors .........................................68
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................71
heated ........................................74
side view mirrors (power) .......73
Moon roof ....................................78
Motorcraft parts ................218, 232
O
Octane rating ............................216
Odometer .....................................17
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................202
Overdrive ...................................149
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................88
Parking brake ............................145
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....232
Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............74
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................166
Power door locks ........................85
Power steering ..........................147fluid, checking and adding ....224
fluid, refill capacity ................233
fluid, specifications .........234, 236
R
Rear window defroster ...............50
Relays ................................162, 168
Remote entry system ...........87±88
illuminated entry ................90±91
locking/unlocking doors ..........85,
87±88
opening the trunk .....................88
panic alarm ...............................88
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................89
replacing the batteries .............89
Roof rack .....................................84
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....15, 105, 108±111, 113
Safety defects, reporting ..........188
Safety restraints ........105, 108±114
belt minder .............................116
cleaning the safety
belts .................................120, 195
extension assembly ................120
for adults .........................109±111
for children .....................128±129
lap belt ....................................113
warning light
and chime ......12, 14±15, 115±116
Safety seats for children ..........130
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............105
Seats ..........................................101
child safety seats ....................130
cleaning ...................................194
Index
247