Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Engine coolant11.1 quarts
(10.5L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
with bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
4
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Power steering fluidBetween MAX and
MIN on reservoirMotorcraft MERCONV
AT FX T-5-QM /
MERCONV
Windshield washer fluidTop- off fluid as
neededMotorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16-A2
Fuel tank20.5 gallons
(77.6L) AWD,
PZEV AWD and
PZEV FWD——
20.0 gallons
(75.7L) (FWD)
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCONV should only use MERCONV fluid or fluid that
is specified dual usage MERCON/MERCONV. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto
determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may
cause transmission damage.3Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
308
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
System
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a
transmission/transaxle code on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label. The following table tells you
which transmission or transaxle
each code represents.
Description Code
6F50 6–Speed Automatic Transaxle J
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
311
A
Accessory delay ..........................95
AdvanceTrac ..............................221
Air cleaner filter ...............304–306
Air conditioning ....................73, 75
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................159, 168, 170
and child safety seats ............161
description ..............159, 168, 170
disposal ....................................173
driver airbag ............161, 169, 171
indicator light .................167, 173
operation .................161, 169, 171
passenger airbag .....161, 169, 171
side airbag ...............................168
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................231
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................286
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................219
Anti-theft system ..............132, 135
arming the system ..................135
disarming a triggered
system .....................................136
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................16, 20, 27
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................302
fluid, checking ........................302
fluid, refill capacities ..............307
fluid, specification ..................307
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................226
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....36B
Battery .......................................284
acid, treating emergencies .....284
jumping a disabled battery ....254
maintenance-free ....................284
replacement, specifications ...306
servicing ..................................284
Belt-Minder.............................154
Booster seats .............................174
Brakes ........................................218
anti-lock ...................................219
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................219
fluid, checking and adding ....302
fluid, refill capacities ..............307
fluid, specifications .................307
lubricant specifications ..........307
parking ....................................220
shift interlock ..........................225
Bulbs ............................................83
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....307
Cargo net ...................................116
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................246
Child safety restraints ..............174
child safety belts ....................174
Child safety seats ......................177
attaching with tether
straps .......................................181
in front seat ............................178
in rear seat ..............................178
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................174
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
314
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............272
instrument panel ....................274
interior .....................................274
plastic parts ............................273
washing ....................................270
waxing .....................................271
wheels ......................................271
wiper blades ............................273
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......73, 75
Clock ............................................91
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................28
AM/FM/CD .................................21
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............109
Console
overhead ....................................91
Controls
power seat ...............................140
steering column ......................100
Coolant
checking and adding ..............286
refill capacities ................290, 307
specifications ..........................307
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................97
Cupholder(s) .............................145
Customer Assistance ................237
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................266
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............267
Getting roadside assistance ...237
Getting the service you
need .........................................262
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................268Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............266
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................81
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................302
engine oil .................................281
Driving under special
conditions ..........................232, 234
sand .........................................233
snow and ice ...........................235
through water .................233, 236
DVD system .................................43
E
Electronic message center .......107
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................254
Emission control system ..........299
Engine ........................................309
cleaning ...................................272
coolant .....................................286
idle speed control ...................284
lubrication specifications .......307
refill capacities ........................307
service points ..........................279
starting after a collision .........239
Engine block heater .................218
Engine oil ..................................281
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................281
checking and adding ..............281
dipstick ....................................281
filter, specifications ........283, 306
recommendations ...................283
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
315
Tires ...........................185–186, 246
alignment ................................193
care ..........................................189
changing ..........................246, 250
checking the pressure ............189
inflating ...................................187
label .........................................199
replacing ..................................191
rotating ....................................193
safety practices .......................192
sidewall information ...............195
snow tires and chains ............205
spare tire .................................247
terminology .............................186
tire grades ...............................186
treadwear ........................185, 190
Towing .......................................211
recreational towing .................213
trailer towing ..........................211
wrecker ....................................260
Traction control ........................223
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................302
fluid, refill capacities ..............307
lubricant specifications ..........307
Transmission .............................225
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....225
Trunk .................................123, 126remote release ........................116
Turn signal ..................................83
U
USB port ......................................37
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................310
Vehicle loading ..........................205
Ventilating your vehicle ...........218
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................280
Water, Driving through .............236
Windows
power .........................................93
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................89
checking and adding fluid .....280
replacing wiper blades ...........281
Wrecker towing .........................260
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
319