2010 FORD TAURUS fuel cap

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).
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
349
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
350
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When the service
engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected
a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause the service engine
soon
indicator to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel fill inlet may not have been properly closed. SeeEasy Fuel™
“no cap” fuel systemin this chapter.
4. Driving through deep water—the electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly closing the fuel fill inlet or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the service engine soon
indicator should stay off the next time the engine is started. A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway
driving. No additional vehicle service is required.
If the service engine soon
indicator remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available opportunity. Although some malfunctions
detected by the OBD-II may not have symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with the service engine soon
indicator on can
result in increased emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced engine and
transmission smoothness, and lead to more costly repairs.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
Some state/provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M
test if the service engine soon
indicator is on or not working
properly (bulb is burned out), or if the OBD-II system has determined
that some of the emission control systems have not been properly
checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered not ready for I/M testing.
If the service engine soon
indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. Refer to the On board
diagnostics (OBD-II) description in this chapter.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
Maintenance and Specifications
353
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Fuel tank19.0 gallons
(71.9 L)——
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCON
LV should only use MERCON
LV fluid. Refer to
scheduled 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. To determine your vehicle’s coolant type
(color), check your coolant reservoir.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
Maintenance and Specifications
362
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................304
running out of fuel .........303, 347
Emission control system ..........351
Engine ........................................363
cleaning ...................................320
coolant .....................................336
fail-safe cooling .......................341
idle speed control ...................334
lubrication specifications .......360
refill capacities ........................360
service points ..................328–329
Engine block heater .................240
Engine oil ..................................331
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................331
checking and adding ..............331
dipstick ....................................331
filter, specifications ........333, 359
recommendations ...................333
refill capacities ........................360
specifications ..........................360
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................239
F
Fail safe cooling ........................341
Fleet MyKey programming ......134
Fluid capacities .........................360
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................270
Fuel ............................................342
calculating fuel
economy ............................21, 348
cap ...........................................344
capacity ...................................360
choosing the right fuel ...........345comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................351
detergent in fuel .....................346
filler funnel .............................347
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................342, 344, 348
filter, specifications ........342, 359
improving fuel economy ........348
octane rating ...................346, 363
quality ......................................346
running out of fuel .........303, 347
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................342
Fuses ..........................................279
G
Garage door opener ....................97
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............344
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................348
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................278
Headlamps ...................................59
aiming ........................................64
autolamp system .......................59
bulb specifications ....................67
daytime running lights .............63
flash to pass ..............................63
high beam .................................60
replacing bulbs .........................68
turning on and off ....................59
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................48, 51, 53
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................98
Index
374
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)