2003 FORD TAURUS trailer

If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
•use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
•exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
•load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•tow a trailer
•use tire chains
•drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle’s reduced
ground clearance
•try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
•use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
•handling, stability and braking performance
•comfort and noise
•ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter driving capability
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate hazard flashers and set parking brake.
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
Roadside Emergencies
139

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

BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the“MAX”line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
MAX
Maintenance and Specifications
193

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