
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom of the instrument panel near
the steering column.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of
the hood.
3. Lift the hood.
Maintenance and Specifications
327
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
3.5L V6 engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Battery
5. Power distribution box
6. Air filter assembly
7. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
Maintenance and Specifications
328
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The service engine soon
indicator will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
WARNING:Fail-safe mode is for use during emergencies only.
Operate the vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long as necessary to
bring the vehicle to rest in a safe location and seek immediate repairs.
When in fail-safe mode, the vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and may completely shut down
without warning, potentially losing engine power, power steering assist,
and power brake assist, which may increase the possibility of a crash
resulting in serious injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
341
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine
soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing; if the service engine soon
indicator stays on
solid, it means that the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by
20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
POWER STEERING FLUID (EXCEPT SHO ENGINE)
Refer toscheduled maintenance information.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter for the proper
fluid type.
Maintenance and Specifications
354
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Engine oil 5.5 quarts (5.2L)•Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil (US)
•Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Full Synthetic Motor Oil
(US)
•Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Super Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)
•Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Synthetic Motor Oil
(Canada)
3
•XO-5W20-QSP (US)
•XO-5W-20-QFS (US)
•CXO-5W20- LSP12
(Canada)
•CXO-5W20-LFS12
(Canada) /
WSS-M2C930-A and API
Certification Mark
Engine coolant11.1 quarts
(10.5L)
Motorcraft Specialty
Green Engine Coolant
4
VC-10-A (US)
CVC -10-A (Canada) /
WSS-M97B55-A 11.4 quarts
(10.8L) – SHO
Power steering fluid
(except SHO engine)Between MAX and
MIN on reservoirMotorcraft
MERCONVATFXT-5-QM /
MERCONV
Windshield washer fluidTop-off fluid as
neededMotorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16-A2
Maintenance and Specifications
361
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.5L V6 engine 3.5L V6 SHO engine
Cubic inches 214 214
FuelSeeOctane
recommendations
earlier in this chapter.SeeOctane
recommendationsearlier
in this chapter.
Firing order 1–4–2–5–3–6 1–4–2–5–3–6
Ignition system0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42 mm)0.033–0.037 inch
(.838–.939 mm)
Spark plug gap Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression
ratio10.3:1 10.0:1
Engine drivebelt routing
3.5L V6 engine
1. Short drivebelt is on first pulley groove closest to engine (except
vehicles with electric power assisted steering).
2. Long drivebelt is on second pulley groove farthest from engine.
Maintenance and Specifications
363
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Cargo net ...................................108
CD ................................................30
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................287
Child safety seats ......................190
attaching with tether
straps .......................................197
in front seat ............................190
in rear seat ..............................190
LATCH .....................................194
recommendations ...................188
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................199
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............320
instrument panel ....................322
interior .....................................323
plastic parts ............................321
washing ....................................318
waxing .....................................319
wheels ......................................319
wiper blades ............................321
Climate control
(see Air conditioning
or Heating) ......................48, 51, 53
Clock adjust
AM/FM .......................................31
Collision Warning System .........260
Compass, electronic ....................76
calibration .................................77
set zone adjustment .................76
Console
overhead ....................................75
Controls
power seat ...............................145
steering column ........................95
Coolant
checking and adding ..............336refill capacities ................340, 360
specifications ..........................360
Cross Traffic Alert ....................263
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................84
Cupholder(s) .............................156
Customer Assistance ................277
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................369
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................315
Getting roadside assistance ...277
Getting the service you
need .........................................311
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................316
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................315
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................63
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................51
windshield ...........................51, 53
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................355
engine oil .................................331
Doors
central unlocking ....................112
Driving under special
conditions ..........................271, 274
sand .........................................272
snow and ice ...........................275
through water .................273, 276
E
Electronic message center .........19
Index
373
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Motorcraft parts ................324, 359
Multi-contour seats ...................144
MyKey ........................................134
N
Navigation system .......................47
O
Octane rating ............................346
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................331
Overdrive ...................................251
P
Parental MyKey
programming .............................134
Parking brake ............................243
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....359
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................159
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................84
Power adjustable foot pedals .....84
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................284
Power door locks ......................111
Power mirrors .............................83
Power point .................................79
Power steering ..........................248
fluid, checking and adding ....354
fluid, refill capacity ................360
fluid, specifications .................360
Power Windows ...........................79Power windows
opening using remote entry
system .....................................121
Push button start system .........237
R
Radio ............................................30
6-CD in dash .............................30
Rear heated seats .....................157
Rear-view camera system .........258
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................188
Relays ........................................279
Remote entry system .......118, 120
illuminated entry ....................125
locking/unlocking doors .........121
opening the trunk ...................122
opening the windows .............121
panic alarm .............................122
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................125
replacing the batteries ...........123
Reverse sensing system ...........256
Roadside assistance ..................277
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................158, 161–165
Safety Canopy ...................180, 182
Safety defects, reporting ..........317
Safety restraints ........158, 161–165
Belt-Minder...........................167
extension assembly ................166
for adults .........................162–165
for children .............................186
Index
376
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)