2008 FORD TAURUS octane

If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive vacuum in
the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause the fuel cap
to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum
of 10% ethanol. Your vehicle was not designed to run on E85 fuels that
are blended with a maximum of 85% ethanol. The use of leaded fuel is
prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives. Studies indicate that
these additives can cause your vehicle’s emission control system to
deteriorate more rapidly.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as “Regular” that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. “Premium”
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized
dealer.
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-Wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-Wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-Wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality, per the recommendations in theChoosing the Right
Fuelsection.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect 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. On restarting, cranking time will take a few seconds longer
than normal.
•Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8L) of fuel is enough to restart the
engine. If the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than 1
gallon (3.8L) may be required.
•The
indicator may come on. For more information on the “check
engine” or the “service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning lights
and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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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 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles–3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
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 theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in miles or kilometers).
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.5L-DOHC V6 engine
Displacement 3.5L
Required fuel 87 octane
Firing order 1–4–2–5–3–6
Spark plug gap (0.052–0.056 inch) 1.32–1.42 mm
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 10.3:1
Engine drivebelt routing
•3.5L V6 Engine
1. Short drivebelt is on first pulley groove closest to engine.
2. Long drivebelt is on second pulley groove farthest from engine.
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309

refill capacities ........................307
specifications ..........................307
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................218
F
Family entertainment system ....43
Fluid capacities .........................307
Foglamps .....................................80
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................231
Fuel ............................................291
calculating fuel
economy ..........................108, 296
cap ...........................................293
capacity ...................................307
choosing the right fuel ...........294
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................298
detergent in fuel .....................295
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................291, 293, 296
filter, specifications ........291, 306
fuel pump shut-off switch .....239
improving fuel economy ........296
octane rating ...................294, 309
quality ......................................295
running out of fuel .................295
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................291
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......239
Fuses ..........................................239
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............293
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................296Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................238
Head restraints .........138, 143–144
Headlamps ...................................79
aiming ..................................81–82
autolamp system .......................79
bulb specifications ....................84
daytime running lights .............81
flash to pass ..............................81
high beam .................................80
replacing bulbs ...................84–85
turning on and off ....................79
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................71, 73, 75
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................103
Hood ..........................................278
How to get going ........................16
I
Ignition ...............................215, 309
Illuminated visor mirror .............90
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................177
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................301
Instrument panel ........................91
cleaning ...................................274
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................81
J
Jack ............................................246
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Index
316

positioning ...............................246
storage .....................................246
Jump-starting your vehicle ......254
K
Keyless entry system ...............130
autolock ...................................119
keypad .....................................130
locking and unlocking
doors ........................................132
programming entry code .......130
Keys ...................................117, 133
positions of the ignition .........215
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................79
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................84
daytime running light ...............81
fog lamps ...................................80
headlamps .................................79
headlamps, flash to pass ..........81
instrument panel, dimming .....81
interior lamps .....................83–84
replacing bulbs .............84–85, 88
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................83
Liftgate ......................................126
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........219
Load limits .................................205
Locks
autolock ...................................119
childproof ................................122
doors ........................................118
Lubricant specifications ...........307
Lug nuts ....................................254Lumbar support, seats .............139
M
Message center .........................107
english/metric button .............112
system check button ..............111
warning messages ...................113
Mirrors ...................................95–96
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................95
fold away ...................................96
heated ........................................97
programmable memory ..........126
side view mirrors (power) .......96
Moon roof ..................................102
Motorcraft parts ........276, 291, 306
N
Navigation system .......................70
O
Octane rating ............................294
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................281
Overdrive ...................................226
P
Parking brake ............................220
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....306
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................147
Power adjustable foot pedals .....97
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................243
Power door locks ......................118
Power mirrors .............................96
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
317