2002 FORD TAURUS octane

These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly
installing and securely tightening the fuel cap. After three driving cycles
without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the
light should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is
required.
If the
light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity.
NOTE:The
light will illuminate if vehicle refueling is conducted
with the engine running.
Never refuel vehicle with the engine running.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap
Illuminates when the fuel cap is not
installed correctly. Check the fuel
cap for proper installation. When
the fuel filler cap is properly
re-installed, the light(s) will turn off
after a period of normal driving.
Continuing to operate the vehicle with the check fuel cap light on, can
activate theService Engine Soon/Check Enginewarning light.
It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
For more information, refer toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Instrument Cluster
11

²FFV fuel tanks may contain zero to 85 percent ethanol. Any fuel
blends containing gasoline and ethanol should be treated the same as
ªFuel Ethanol º. To identify if your vehicle is an FFV, check your VIN
or the label on the inside of your fuel filler door. When checking the
VIN look for the engine type identifier (8th character). If your vheicle
is an FFV, then the character will be labeled as a ª2.º
Pure ethanol is the alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in liquor, beer
and wine. It is distilled from the fermentation of plants such as field corn
and sugar cane. When ethanol is used in the making of motor fuels, a
small amount of a bad tasting chemical is added to discourage beverage
use. The resulting fuel is called E
d100 meaning 100% pure ethanol
diluted by 2% to 5% gasoline as the ªdenaturant.º
Fuel ethanol (summer blend
d) is then made by adding 15% more
unleaded gasoline. The resulting fuel also has a higher octane rating than
unleaded regular gasoline and other properties which allow engine
designs with greater efficiency and power.
Winter blends may contain up to 30% (E70)unleaded gasoline (25% plus
the denaturant) to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold weather
may require additional measures for reliable starting. Refer toCold
Weather Startingin theStartingchapter.
Winter blends may contain up to 30% (E70)unleaded gasoline (25% plus
the denaturant) to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold weather
may require additional measures for reliable starting. Refer toCold
Weather Startingin theDrivingchapter.
Ethanol is more chemically active than gasoline. It corrodes some metals
and causes some plastic and rubber components to swell, break down or
become brittle and crack, especially when mixed with gasoline. Special
materials and procedures have been developed for flexible fuel vehicles
and the dispensers used by ethanol fuel providers.
Flexible fuel components and standard unleaded gasoline fuel
components are not interchangeable. If your vehicle is not
serviced in accordance with flexible fuel vehicles procedures, damage
may occur and your warranty may be invalidated.
Maintenance and Specifications
214

If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
If your vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), use only UNLEADED
FUEL and ETHANOL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and
could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Do not be concerned if your engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions while you are
using fuel with the recommended
octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to prevent
any engine damage.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
216

Unleaded Gasoline engines
Your vehicle is designed to use ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as ªRegularº that are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in
high altitude areas.
FFV engine (if equipped)
Your vehicle is designed to use Fuel Ethanol, ªRegularº unleaded gasoline
or any percentage of the two fuels combined.
U.S. government regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to have a small, square, orange and black label with the
common abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for that
region. Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your
warranty may be invalidated.
Fuel quality
Many of the world's automakers issued the
World-wide Fuel Charter that recommends
gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system
protection for your vehicle. Gasolines that
meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should
be used when available. Ask your fuel
supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada, look
for fuels that display theAuto Makers'
Choiceylogo.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Unleaded Gasoline engines
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline. ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
Maintenance and Specifications
217

Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles)
of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3 000 km±5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
Maintenance and Specifications
219

ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine3.0L FFV V6
engine3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 182 182 183
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane or
Ethanol (E 85)87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark plug gap 1.07-1.17 mm
(0.042-0.046
inch)1.07-1.17 mm
(0.042-0.046
inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056
inch)
Ignition system EDIS EDIS EDIS
Compression
ratio9.7:1 9.7:1 10.0:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions Sedan mm (in) Wagon mm (in)
(1) Overall length 5 020 (197.6) 5 022 (197.7)
(2) Overall width 1 855 (73.0) 1 855 (73.0)
(3) Overall height 1 426 (56.1) 1 468 (57.8)
(4) Wheelbase 2 757 (108.5) 2 757 (108.5)
(5) Track - Front 1 566 (61.6) 1 566 (61.6)
(5) Track - Rear 1 577 (62.1) 1 570 (61.8)
Maintenance and Specifications
236

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