2008 FORD TAURUS X oil change

Customer Assistance 288
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 294
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 295
Cleaning 296
Maintenance and Specifications 303
Engine compartment 305
Engine oil 308
Battery 311
Engine coolant 313
Fuel information 318
Air filter(s) 332
Part numbers 333
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 334
Engine data 336
Accessories 339
Index 341
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Copyright © 2007 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
3
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

Setup menu
Press this control for the following
displays:
•System Check
•Oil Life
•Language
•Units (English/Metric)
•Autolamp Delay (if equipped)
•Autolock (if equipped)
•Autounlock (if equipped)
•Power Liftgate (if equipped)
•Easy entry/exit seat (if equipped)
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either
an OK message or a warning message for two to four seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
1. OIL LIFE
2. CHARGING SYSTEM
3. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
4. DOORS CLOSED
5. LIFTGATE CLOSED
6. BRAKE SYSTEM
7. TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
8. DISTANCE TO EMPTY
Oil life
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
120

To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
[approximately 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months] perform the
following:
1. Press the SETUP control to enter
SYSTEM CHECK, then press SETUP
control again to display “OIL LIFE =
XXX% HOLD RESET = NEW”.
2. Press and hold the RESET
control for 2 seconds and release.
Oil life is set to 100% and “OIL LIFE
SET TO 100%” is displayed.
3. While “OIL LIFE SET TO 100%”
is displayed, if a lower oil life is
desired, press and release the RESET control to reduce the value. Each
press of the RESET control reduces the value by 10 percent.
Note:Oil life of 100% equals 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months. For
example, setting oil life to 60% sets the oil life value to 4,500 miles
(7,200 km) and 108 days.
Language
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current
language to be displayed.
2. Pressing the RESET control
cycles the message center through
each of the language choices.
3. Press and hold the RESET control to set the language choice.
Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the RESET control to
change from English to Metric.
Autolamp delay (if equipped)
This feature keeps your headlights on for up to three minutes after the
ignition is switched off.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
121

Warnings Status
Brake fluid level low Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to RUN
Park brake engaged
Low tire pressure
Tire pressure monitor fault
Tire pressure sensor fault
Liftgate ajar
Washer fluid level low
Change oil soon
Oil change required
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the left rear door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the right rear door is not
completely closed.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
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.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized 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.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the park brake is engaged.
If the warning stays on after the park brake is off, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
124

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
LIFTGATE AJAR.Displayed when the liftgate is not completely closed.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED/CHANGE OIL SOON.Displayed when the
engine oil life remaining is 5 percent or less. When oil life left is between
5% and 0%, the CHANGE OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed.
POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) (IF EQUIPPED)
You can power open or close the liftgate with the following controls.
•instrument panel control button
•integrated keyhead transmitter button
•outside liftgate control button
•control button in the rear cargo area
Opening and Closing the power liftgate:
WARNING: Make sure all persons are clear of the power liftgate
area before using the power liftgate control.
Keep keys out of reach of children. Do not allow children to play
near an open or moving power liftgate.
The liftgate will only operate with the vehicle in P (Park).
When the liftgate is being power closed, a chime will sound three times
as the liftgate begins to power close. A single chime indicates a problem
with the close request, caused by:
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
125

4. Install the dipstick 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 dipstick 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 SAE 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.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed inscheduled maintenance information.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, start-up
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter or
another with equivalent performance for your engine application.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
310

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)
3
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1 Engine coolant (with
rear heater)13.2 quarts
(12.5L)
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 tank18.6 gallons
(70.4L)
——
19.0 (71.9L)
(PZEV)
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.3Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.4Use 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.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
335

plastic parts ............................299
washing ....................................296
waxing .....................................297
wheels ......................................297
wiper blades ............................299
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) .....................76, 78, 80, 82
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................29
AM/FM/CD .................................21
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............118
Console ......................................100
overhead ..............................98–99
Controls
power seat ...............................155
steering column ......................109
Coolant
checking and adding ..............313
refill capacities ................316, 334
specifications ..........................334
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................106
Customer Assistance ................264
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................292
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................293
Getting roadside assistance ...264
Getting the service you
need .........................................288
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................294
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................292D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................89
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................330
engine oil .................................308
Driving under special
conditions ..........................259, 261
sand .........................................260
snow and ice ...........................262
through water .................260, 263
DVD system .................................44
E
Electronic message center .......116
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................281
Emission control system ..........326
Engine ........................................336
cleaning ...................................298
coolant .....................................313
idle speed control ...................311
lubrication specifications .......334
refill capacities ........................334
service points ..........................305
starting after a collision .........266
Engine block heater .................244
Engine oil ..................................308
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................308
checking and adding ..............308
dipstick ....................................308
filter, specifications ........310, 333
recommendations ...................310
refill capacities ........................334
specifications ..........................334
Event data recording ....................6
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
342