2004 FORD TAURUS ABS

Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (if
equipped):If the ABS light stays
illuminated or continues to flash, a
malfunction has been detected, have
the system serviced immediately.
Normal braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
11

5. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the bulb by pulling
rearward.
6. Remove the bulb retaining ring by
rotating it counterclockwise.
7. Remove the old bulb from the
lamp assembly by pulling it straight
out of the lamp assembly.
To install the new bulb:
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of
children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
1. Install the new bulb in lamp assembly by pushing straight in with the
flat surface of the bulb’s plastic base facing upward. You may need to
turn the bulb slightly to align the grooves in the plastic base with the
tabs in the lamp assembly.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
36

Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle’s
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check after you start
the engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be
heard during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is found, the ABS
warning light will come on.
The ABS operates by detecting the onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when the brakes are firmly applied.
Using ABS
•In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the four-wheel
ABS is required, apply continuous force on the brake. The four wheel
ABS will be activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain steering
control of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will
enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled
stop.
•The anti-lock system does not reduce stopping distance. Always leave
enough room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to
stop.
•We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking
technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
TheABSlamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates when
the ignition is turned to ON. If the light does not illuminate during start
up, remains on or flashes, the ABS may be disabled and may need to be
serviced.
P!
BRAKE
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
127

Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.)
Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), press
the parking brake pedal down until
the pedal stops.
To release, pull the lever (2).
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Park brake warning chime
Sounds when the parking brake is set, the engine is running, the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 km/h (3 mph), and the transaxle is not in P
(Park) or N (Neutral). The chime will shut off when the parking brake is
disengaged.
TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control
system. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads
P!
BRAKE
2
1
P!
BRAKE
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
128

Fuse/relay
locationFuse amp
ratingPassenger compartment fuse panel
description
14—Not used
15 10A Left headlamp
16 10A Not used (spare)
17 15A Stop lamp, Speed control deactivation
switch
18 15A Parklamps, PWM (backlighting),
Autolamps
19 10A Heated mirrors, Rear defrost switch
indicator
20 10A Restraints (air bag module/OCS module)
21 15A Transmission range sensor (transmission
position switch)
22 15A Front washer pump, Electrochromatic
mirror, Compass, Cluster (RUN/ACC),
Integrated Control Panel (ICP) logic, Rear
wiper (wagon only), Rear washer (wagon
only)
23 30A Front wiper motor
24—Not used
25 20A Power point
26 20A Power locks, Liftgate (wagon)/Trunk
(sedan) release
27 10A Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Speed
control, Traction control, Brake-shift
interlock, A/C function switch (manual A/C
only), Temperature blend door (manual
A/C only), Defrost coil
28 15A Turn signals, Back-up lamps
29 20A Cigar lighter
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
147

The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/relay
locationFuse amp
ratingPower distribution box description
1 60A** Fuse junction panel
2 30A** Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
3 60A** Fuse junction panel
4 10A CB Low speed cooling fan (Not used in
GCC)
5 40A** Cooling fan
6—Not used
7 40A** Starter relay, Ignition switch
8—Not used
9 20A**
(50A** in GCC)Cooling fan (passenger side)
10 20A** Cooling fan (driver side) (not used in
GCC)
11 50A** Rear defrost (sedan only)
12—Not used
13 40A** Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module
pump feed
14—Not used
15 20A* ABS module valve solenoid
16 20A* Fuel pump relay
17 20A* CD
1
23
4
56
7
8
910
11 12
1314
1516 17
18
19202122
2324
25
29
3026 27 28
31
32
33
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
150

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.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Fuel ethanol and gasoline may contain benzene, which is a
cancer-causing agent.
Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle before
fueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. Fuels such as gasoline and ethanol are highly
toxic and if swallowed can cause death or permanent injury. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician immediately, even if no symptoms are
immediately apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be visible for
hours.
•Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel vapor of any kind
can lead to eye and respiratory tract irritation. In severe cases,
excessive or prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause serious
illness and permanent injury.
•Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical attention could
lead to permanent injury.
•Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptly remove contaminated
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
192

When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the“Check Fuel Cap”
indicator comes on or if“Service Engine
Soon/Check Engine”indicator comes on and stays on when you start the
engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
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
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
194