2003 FORD TAURUS load capacity

If necessary, try turning the Traction Control
system off. This will allow
the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck vehicle. For more
information, refer toTraction Control
(if equipped)in this chapter.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal transmission
damage.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum allowable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
Driving
123

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

•Four tire rotation
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification or Tire Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size,
speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g.,“All Terrain”,
“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
197

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

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