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•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
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.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park),
turn engine OFF, block the
diagonally opposite wheel, then
remove the spare tire, jack and lug
wrench.
•These are located in the trunk
cargo area storage compartment.
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.
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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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.
10. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown. Refer toWheel lug nut
torque specificationslater in this
chapter for the proper lug nut
torque specification.
1
4 3
2 5
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
170
Page 231 of 232

for children .....................107–108
lap belt ......................................90
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................83
safety belt maintenance ...........91
warning light and chime ....91–92
Safety seats for children ..........112
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................223
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............81
Seats ............................................77
child safety seats ....................112
front seats .................................78
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................72
Servicing your vehicle ..............191
Setting the clock
AM/FM/Cassette ........................15
AM/FM/CD .................................18
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................218, 222
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................220
Speed control ..............................45
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......147
Starting your
vehicle ........................144–145, 147
jump starting ..........................172
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................41
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement ......................40
Tilt steering wheel ......................41Tires ...........................120–121, 166
alignment ................................127
care ..........................................124
changing ..........................166, 168
checking the pressure ............124
inflating ...................................122
label .........................................133
replacing ..................................126
rotating ....................................127
safety practices .......................126
sidewall information ...............128
snow tires and chains ............134
spare tire .................................166
terminology .............................121
tire grades ...............................121
treadwear ........................120, 125
Towing .......................................140
recreational towing .................143
trailer towing ..........................140
wrecker ....................................177
Traction control ........................150
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............220
lubricant specifications ..........220
Transmission .............................152
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....152
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................216
Trunk .....................................62, 65
remote release ....................62, 67
Turn signal ..................................32
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................223
Vehicle loading ..........................134
Ventilating your vehicle ...........148
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
231