Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
9
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark or the letter F in FULL on the engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until it stops.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Only use oils“Certified For Gasoline Engines”by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). To protect your engine’s warranty use
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford
specification WSS-M2C153–H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel
economy and durability performance meeting all requirements for
your vehicle’s engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil according to the appropriate schedule listed in
the scheduled maintenance guide.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
184
If you are experiencing a rough or rolling idle after start-up with the
outside temperature above 27°C (80°F), the idle should improve within
10 to 30 seconds. If the problems persist below this temperature, see
your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated“cleaner-burning”gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•The
indicator may come on. For more information on the
“Service Engine Soon”indicator, refer to theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate
intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,600 km (1,000
miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3,000 km–5,000 km (2,000 miles-3,000 miles).
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.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
197
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L V6 Vulcanengine 3.0L FFV V6
engine3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Air filter
element
1FA-1683 FA-1683 FA-1683
Fuel filter FG-1060 FG-1060 FG-1060
Battery
(standard) BXT-36R BXT-36R BXT-36R
Battery
(optional) BXT-36R N/A N/A
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-400-S FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-267 EV-228 EV-253
Spark plugs
2AWSF-32PP3AGSF-22PP3AGSF-32WM
1Do not use oil-impregnated air filter elements. Failure to use the correct
air filter element may result in severe engine damage. The customer
warranty may be voided for any damage to the engine if the correct air
filter element is not used.
2Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
3If a spark plug is to be removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in
the same cylinder. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark
plugs with the service part number suffix letter as shown on the engine
decal.
2004 Taurus (tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
220
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Motorcraft
High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Between MAX
and MIN on
reservoir
Engine
coolant
1Motorcraft
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)
2
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20
Premium
Synthetic
Blend Motor
Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium
Motor Oil
(Canada)3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine4.25L (4.5 quarts)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine5.7L (6.0 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)
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
221
Engine oil ..................................182
checking and adding ..............182
dipstick ....................................182
filter, specifications ........184, 220
recommendations ...................184
refill capacities ........................221
specifications ..................222, 224
Exhaust fumes ..........................126
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....191
Floor mats ...................................63
Fluid capacities .........................221
Fuel ............................................191
calculating fuel
economy ............................55, 197
cap ...........................................194
capacity ...................................221
choosing the right fuel ...........195
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................200
detergent in fuel .....................197
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................191, 194, 197
filter, specifications ........197, 220
fuel pump shut-off switch .....143
improving fuel economy ........197
octane rating ...................195, 224
quality ......................................196
running out of fuel .................197
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................191
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................191, 195
Fuses ..................................145–146
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............194Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................197
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers .........................143
Headlamps ...................................29
aiming ........................................30
autolamp system .......................29
bulb specifications ....................34
daytime running lights .............29
flash to pass ..............................30
high beam .................................30
replacing bulbs .........................35
turning on and off ....................29
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................24–25
Hood ..........................................178
I
Ignition ...............................122, 224
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................113
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................202
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................174
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................30
J
Jack ............................................151
positioning ...............................151
storage .....................................151
Jump-starting your vehicle ......156
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
234