2008 FORD TAURUS X fuel pump

Use the following guidelines to avoid electrostatic charge build-up when
filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/4 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of a turn until it clicks at least once.
If the check fuel cap lamp
or a “check fuel cap” message come on,
the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. The lamp or message
can come on after several driving events after you’ve refueled your
vehicle.
At the next opportunity, safely pull off of the road, remove the fuel filler
cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it. The check fuel cap
lamp
or “check fuel cap” message may not reset immediately; it may
take several driving cycles for the check fuel cap lamp
or “check fuel
cap” message to turn off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up
(after four or more hours with the engine off) followed by city and
highway driving.
Continuing to drive with the check fuel cap lamp
or “check fuel cap”
message on may cause the
lamp to turn on as well.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
320

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.
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.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
322

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.
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.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
323

•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).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Calculation 2:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
324

Exhaust fumes ..........................244
F
Family entertainment system ....44
Fluid capacities .........................334
Foglamps .....................................88
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................258
Fuel ............................................318
calculating fuel
economy ..........................117, 323
cap ...........................................320
capacity ...................................334
choosing the right fuel ...........321
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................326
detergent in fuel .....................322
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................318, 320, 323
filter, specifications ........317, 333
fuel pump shut-off switch .....266
improving fuel economy ........323
octane rating ...................322, 336
quality ......................................322
running out of fuel .................322
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................318
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......266
Fuses ..........................................266
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............320
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................323
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................265Head restraints .........152, 157–158
Headlamps ...................................87
aiming ........................................89
autolamp system .......................87
bulb specifications ....................92
daytime running lights .............89
flash to pass ..............................88
high beam .................................88
replacing bulbs .........................92
turning on and off ....................87
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...............74, 76, 78, 80, 82
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................112
Hood ..........................................304
How to get going ........................16
I
Ignition ...............................241, 336
Illuminated visor mirror .............97
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................199
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................328
Instrument panel ........................98
cleaning ...................................300
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................89
J
Jack ............................................273
positioning ...............................273
storage .....................................273
Jump-starting your vehicle ......281
K
Keyless entry system ...............145
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
343