2003 FORD TAURUS fuel cap

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:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium—high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
Maintenance and Specifications
187

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Motorcraft
High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine
coolant
1Motorcraft
Premium
Engine Coolant
(green-colored)
orMotorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine11.0L (11.6
quarts)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine10.0L (10.6
quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-20
Premium
Synthetic
Blend 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
MERCON
AT F3.0L V6 Vulcan
engineFill to line on
dipstickFill to line
on reservoir
3.0L V6 Duratec
engineFill to line on
reservoir
Automatic
transaxle -
4F50NMotorcraft
MERCONV
AT F3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine12.8L (13.5
quarts)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine12.7L (13.4
quarts)
Maintenance and Specifications
200

refill capacities ........................200
specifications ..................201, 203
Exhaust fumes ..........................116
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....180
Floor mats ...................................58
Fluid capacities .........................200
Fuel ............................................180
calculating fuel economy .......186
cap ...........................................183
capacity ...................................200
choosing the right fuel ...........184
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................189
detergent in fuel .....................186
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................180, 183, 187
filter, specifications ........186, 199
fuel pump shut-off switch .....130
improving fuel economy ........186
octane rating ...................184, 203
quality ......................................185
running out of fuel .................186
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................180
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................180, 184
Fuses ..................................132–133
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............183
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................186
Gauges .........................................13
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................123definition .................................123
driving with a heavy load ......123
location ....................................123
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................123
calculating ...............................123
definition .................................123
driving with a heavy load ......123
location ....................................123
H
Headlamps ...................................30
aiming ........................................32
autolamp system .......................30
bulb specifications ....................35
daytime running lights .............30
flash to pass ..............................31
high beam .................................31
replacing bulbs .........................37
turning on and off ....................30
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................24, 26
Hood ..........................................166
I
Ignition ...............................112, 203
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................103
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................191
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................162
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................31
J
Jack ............................................138
Index
212

Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................67
locking/unlocking doors ...........62
opening the trunk .....................65
Roadside assistance ..................129
Roof rack .....................................61
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................79, 81–84, 86
Safety defects, reporting ..........158
Safety restraints ..............79, 81–87
belt minder ...............................89
cleaning the safety belts ..........93
extension assembly ..................93
for adults .............................82–84
for children .....................100–101
lap belt ......................................86
warning light and chime ....88–89
Safety seats for children ..........103
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................79
Seats ............................................75
child safety seats ....................103
cleaning ...................................162
Servicing your vehicle ..............165
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ....................................138
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................199, 203
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................201, 203
Speed control ..............................52
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......115Starting your vehicle ........112–114
jump starting ..........................142
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................47
T
Tires ...........................138, 195–196
changing ..........................138–139
checking the pressure ............196
replacing ..................................197
rotating ....................................196
snow tires and chains ............198
tire grades ...............................196
treadwear ................................195
Towing .......................................125
recreational towing .................128
trailer towing ..........................125
wrecker ....................................148
Traction control ........................118
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............200
lubricant specifications ..........203
Transmission .............................119
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................193
lubricant specifications ..........201
Trunk ...............................59, 61, 63
remote release ....................58, 65
Turn signal ..................................33
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................203
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................206
Vehicle loading ..........................123
Ventilating your vehicle ...........116
Index
214