2004 FORD TAURUS spare wheel

Fuse/relay
locationFuse amp
ratingPower distribution box description
18—Not used
19—Not used
20—Not used
21—Not used
22 10A* A/C clutch relay, PCM keep alive power
23—Starter motor relay
24—Fan relay
25—Wiper speed relay
26 10A* Alternator
27 5A* Rear control unit, Antenna
28 15A* HEGO sensor, Transmission shift
solenoid, Canister vent, A/C clutch relay
29—Wiper park relay
30—Fuel pump relay
31—PCM power relay
32—Fan relay
33—A/C clutch relay
* - Mini Fuses ** - Maxi Fuses CB - Circuit breaker
Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced
by qualified technicians.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may damage
your tires.
Temporary spare tire information
The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller
than a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace the
temporary spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as possible.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
151

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 help 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.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
152

If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park),
turn engine OFF, block the
diagonally opposite wheel, then
remove the spare tire, jack and lug
wrench.
•In the sedan, these are located in
the trunk cargo area storage
compartment.
•In the wagon, they are stored in
the left side rear trim panel for
the temporary spare and in the
floor cargo area storage
compartment for the full size
spare.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
153

3. If equipped with a wheel cover
that’s bolted on, loosen the five
plastic nuts with the lug nut
wrench.
4. Remove the center ornament or wheel cover from the wheel with the
tapered end of the wheel lug nut wrench that came with your vehicle.
Insert and twist the handle, then pry against the wheel.
5. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
6. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the door of the tire you are
changing. Turn the jack handle
clockwise until the wheel is
completely off the ground.
7. Remove the lug nuts with the lug
nut wrench.
8. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub.
Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
9. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
154

Information on“T”type tires
T145/80D16 is an example of a tire
size.
Note:The temporary tire size for
your vehicle may be different than
this example.
1.T:Indicates a type of tire,
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association (T&RA), that is
intended for temporary service on
cars, SUVs, minivans and light
trucks.
2.145:Indicates the nominal width
of the tire in millimeters from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In
general, the larger the number, the
wider the tire.
3.80:Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tires ratio of height to width. Numbers of 70 or lower
indicate a short sidewall.
4.D:Indicates a“diagonal”type tire.
R:Indicates a“radial”type tire.
5.16:Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change your
wheel size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel
diameter.
Location of the tire label
You will find a tire label containing tire inflation pressure by tire size and
other important information located on the B-Pillar or the driver’s door.
TIRE CARE
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can also cause tires to wear
abnormally. Here are some of the important maintenance items
Tire inflation pressure
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure at least monthly
(check the tire inflation pressure in the spare tire every 6 months) and
before long trips. You are strongly urged to buy a reliable tire pressure
gauge, as automatic service station gauges may be inaccurate. Ford
SPARETIRE
TEMPORARYUSEONLY
INFLATETO60P.S.I.T
T145/80D16105M
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
213

5. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
Note:Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other
tires.
6. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other
objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air
leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or
other irregularities.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or damage to your tires. If your vehicle
seems to pull to one side, vibrate or shake when you’re driving, the
wheels may be out of alignment. Have a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility check the wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by a qualified technician
at a reputable repair facility. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, and
those with independent front suspension require alignment of all four
wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Service Maintenance Guide that comes with your vehicle) will help your
tires wear more evenly providing better tire performance and longer tire
life. Unless otherwise specified, rotate the tires approximately every
8,000 km (5,000 miles).
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
215

Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only cable type chains offered by Ford as an accessory or
equivalent. SAE class“S”or other conventional link type chains may
cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house and/or body.
•Install cable chains securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the cables. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire cables on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and cables.
•Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire cables on your vehicle.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
219

Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................73
locking/unlocking doors ...........67
opening the trunk .....................71
Roadside assistance ..................142
Roof rack .....................................66
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........100
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................85, 88–91, 93
Safety defects, reporting ..........170
Safety restraints ..............85, 88–94
belt minder ...............................96
extension assembly ................100
for adults .............................89–91
for children .....................109–110
lap belt ......................................93
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................86
safety belt maintenance .........100
warning light and chime ....95–96
Safety seats for children ..........113
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............85
Seats ............................................81
child safety seats ....................113
front seats .................................82
Servicing your vehicle ..............177
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................15
AM/FM/CD .................................19
AM/FM/Tape ..............................19
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................151
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................220, 224Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................222, 224
Speed control ..............................49
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......125
Starting your
vehicle ........................122–123, 125
jump starting ..........................156
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................45
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................45
Tires ...........................151, 206–207
changing ..................151–152, 155
snow tires and chains ............219
tire grades ...............................207
treadwear ................................207
Towing .......................................137
recreational towing .................140
trailer towing ..........................137
wrecker ....................................161
Traction control ........................128
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............221
lubricant specifications ..........224
Transmission .............................130
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....130
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................204
lubricant specifications ..........222
Trunk ...............................64, 66, 68
remote release ....................63, 71
Turn signal ..................................32
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................224
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
236