2006 FORD TAURUS adding oil

CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
OIL PRESSURE LOW.Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped).Displayed when the
Traction Control
system is not operating properly. If this warning stays
on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction control
in theDrivingchapter.
DATA ERR.These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
•Fuel computer
•Charging system
•Coolant system
•Traction control (if equipped)
•Door sensor
•Brake fluid
•Compass (if equipped)•Outside temperature (if
equipped)
•Engine sensor
•Transmission sensor
•Fuel cap sensor
•Seat belt sensor
•Park brake
•Oil pressure sensor
Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a
regular basis.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
61

7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
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
upper hole or MAX mark 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). An oil with this trademark symbol conforms
to the current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
To protect your engine’s warranty use Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an
equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A.SAE
5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and durability
performance meeting all requirements for your vehicle’s engine.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The
coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled
water, which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant
concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester
(such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The
level of coolant should be maintained at the “FULL COLD” level or
within the “COLD FILL RANGE” in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls
below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolant
section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
198

•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
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 inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] 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
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
211

washing ....................................183
waxing .....................................183
wheels ......................................184
wiper blades ............................185
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............25
Clock adjust
AM/FM/Cassette ........................15
AM/FM/CD .................................18
Compass
zone/calibration adjustment ....56
Compass Display .........................55
Console ........................................42
Controls
power seat .................................79
Coolant
checking and adding ..............198
refill capacities ................202, 218
specifications ..................219–220
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................45
Customer Assistance ................154
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................180
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................181
Getting roadside assistance ...154
Getting the service you
need .........................................174
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................182
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................177
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................179D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................29
Defrost
rear window ..............................27
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................215
engine oil .................................193
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........219
Driving under special
conditions ..................................153
through water .........................153
E
Electronic message center .........53
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................168
Emergency Flashers .................155
Emission control system ..........212
Engine ................................220–221
cleaning ...................................184
coolant .....................................198
idle speed control ...................196
lubrication
specifications ..................219–220
refill capacities ........................218
service points ..........................191
starting after a collision .........155
Engine block heater .................144
Engine oil ..................................193
checking and adding ..............193
dipstick ....................................193
filter, specifications ........195, 217
recommendations ...................195
refill capacities ........................218
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
228

Keys
positions of the ignition .........140
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................33
daytime running light ...............29
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....30
interior lamps ...........................32
replacing
bulbs ..................33, 35, 37–38, 40
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........146
Load limits .................................130
Locks
childproof ..................................64
doors ..........................................63
Lubricant specifications ...219–220
Lug nuts ....................................167
Lumbar support, seats ...............78
M
Message center ...........................53
english/metric button ...............58
system check button ................58
warning messages .....................59
Mirrors ...................................42, 44
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................44
heated ........................................45
side view mirrors (power) .......45
Moon roof ....................................48Motorcraft parts ........187, 209, 217
O
Octane rating ............................207
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................193
Overdrive ...................................150
P
Parking brake ............................146
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....217
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................82
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................160
Power door locks ........................63
Power mirrors .............................45
Power point .................................42
Power steering ..........................148
fluid, checking and adding ....214
fluid, refill capacity ................218
fluid, specifications .........219–220
Power Windows ...........................43
R
Radio ......................................15, 18
Rear window defroster ...............27
Relays ........................................162
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................69
locking/unlocking doors ...........63
opening the trunk .....................67
Roadside assistance ..................154
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............94
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
230