2003 FORD TAURUS towing

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 60,000
km (36,000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 56.3 km (35 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Owner Information Guide in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
Roadside Emergencies
129

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment, it
is recommended that the front wheels (drive wheels) be placed on a
dolly to prevent damage to the transaxle.
If your vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels on the ground:
•Place the transaxle in N (Neutral).
•DO NOT exceed the distance of 80 km (50 miles).
•DO NOT exceed the speed of 56 km/h (35 mph).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside Emergencies
148

In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state’s warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
Customer Assistance
151

Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
Maintenance and Specifications
189

positioning ...............................138
storage .....................................138
Jump-starting your vehicle ......142
K
Keyless entry system .................68
Keys
positions of the ignition .........112
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................30
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................35
cargo lamps ...............................31
daytime running light ...............30
headlamps .................................30
headlamps, flash to pass ..........31
instrument panel, dimming .....31
interior lamps .....................34–36
replacing
bulbs ..................35, 37, 39–42, 44
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................33
Liftgate ........................................58
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........117
speed control ............................55
Load limits .................................123
GAWR ......................................123
GVWR ......................................123
trailer towing ..........................123
Locks
childproof ..................................62
doors ..........................................62
Lubricant specifications ...201, 203
Lumbar support, seats ...............76M
Mirrors ...................................48–49
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................49
heated ........................................52
side view mirrors (power) .......51
Moon roof ....................................55
Motorcraft parts ................186, 199
O
Octane rating ............................184
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................170
Overdrive ...................................120
P
Parking brake ............................117
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....199
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................52
Power adjustable foot pedals .....52
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................136
Power door locks ........................62
Power point .................................48
Power steering ..........................118
fluid, checking and adding ....191
fluid, refill capacity ................200
fluid, specifications .........201, 203
Power Windows ...........................48
R
Radio ................................15–16, 19
Rear window defroster ...............28
Relays ........................................138
Index
213

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

W
Warning chimes .........................117
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................169
Water, Driving through .............123
Windows
power .........................................48rear wiper/washer
.....................46
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................46
checking and adding fluid
.....169
liftgate reservoir
.....................170
replacing wiper blades
.............47
Wrecker towing
.........................148
Index
215