2011 FORD TAURUS checking oil

CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper blade and arm
away from the glass.
2. Squeeze the locking tabs to
release the blade from the arm and
pull the blade away from the arm to
remove it.
3. Attach the new blade to the arm and snap it into place.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield. Refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
Maintenance and Specifications
331
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Do not overfill the engine
with oil. Oil levels above this
mark may cause engine
damage.If the engine is
overfilled, some oil must be
removed from the engine by an
authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal operating range, add
only certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the
engine oil filler cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the
opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
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
3.5L V6 Engine
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
Maintenance and Specifications
333
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester. The level of
coolant should be maintained at the FULL COLD level or within the
COLD FILL RANGE in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add
coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
337
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Power steering fluid
(except SHO
engine)Between MAX
and MIN on
reservoirMotorcraft

MERCON
VATFXT-5-QM /
MERCON
V
Windshield washer
fluidFill as requiredMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield Washer
Concentrate (US)
Premium Quality Windshield
Washer Fluid (Canada)ZC-32-A (US)
CXC-37-(A, B, D, and F)
(Canada) /
WSB-M8B16-A2/- -
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-M2C929-A (3.5L V6 SHO engine) or WSS-M2C930-A (3.5L
V6 engine) and the API Certification mark.4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle. Check the coolant bottle labeling for the
correct fluid type to use.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.6SHO engine coolant capacity - 11.4 quarts (10.8L)
Maintenance and Specifications
368
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................288
Child safety seats ......................190
attaching with
tether straps ...........................196
in front seat ............................191
in rear seat ..............................191
LATCH .....................................194
recommendations ...................188
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................199
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............318
instrument panel ....................321
interior .....................................322
plastic parts ............................320
washing ....................................317
waxing .....................................317
wheels ......................................318
wiper blades ............................320
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................51, 54, 56
Clock adjust
AM/FM .......................................33
Collision Warning System .........261
Compass, electronic ....................79
calibration .................................80
set zone adjustment .................80
Console
overhead ..............................78–79
Controls
power seat ...............................142
steering column ........................98
Coolant
checking and adding ..............337
refill capacities ................340, 366
specifications ..........................366Cross Traffic Alert ....................264
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................88
Cupholder(s) .............................156
Customer Assistance ................278
Ford Extended
Service Plan ....................375, 378
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................314
Getting roadside assistance ...278
Getting the service
you need .................................310
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................315
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................313
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................66
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................54
windshield ...........................54, 56
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................356
engine oil .................................331
Doors
central unlocking ....................115
Driving under special
conditions ..........................272, 274
sand .........................................273
snow and ice ...........................275
through water .................274, 277
Index
401
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

E
Electronic message center .........19
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................305
running out of fuel .........304, 348
Emission control system ..........352
Engine ........................................369
cleaning ...................................318
coolant .....................................337
fail-safe cooling .......................341
idle speed control ...................335
lubrication specifications .......366
refill capacities ........................366
service points ..................328–329
Engine block heater .................241
Engine oil ..................................331
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................331
checking and adding ..............331
dipstick ....................................331
filter, specifications ................365
refill capacities ........................366
specifications ..........................366
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................240
F
Fail safe cooling ........................341
Fleet MyKey programming ......108
Floor mats .................................105
Fluid capacities .........................366
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................271
Fuel ............................................343
calculating fuel
economy ............................21, 349cap ...........................................345
capacity ...................................366
choosing the right fuel ...........347
detergent in fuel .....................348
filler funnel .............................348
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................343, 345, 350
filter, specifications ........343, 365
fuel pump shut-off ..................279
improving fuel economy ........349
octane rating ...................347, 369
quality ......................................347
running out of fuel .........304, 348
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................343
Fuses ..........................................280
G
Garage door opener ..................101
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............345
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................349
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................279
Headlamps ...................................62
aiming ........................................67
autolamp system .......................62
bulb specifications ....................70
daytime running lights .............66
flash to pass ..............................66
high beam .................................63
replacing bulbs .........................71
turning on and off ....................62
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................51, 54, 56
Index
402
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Motorcraft
parts ..............324, 365
Multi-contour seats ...................145
MyKey ........................................108
N
Navigation system .......................50
O
Octane rating ............................347
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................331
Overdrive ...................................252
P
Parental MyKey
programming .............................108
Parking brake ............................244
Parts
(see Motorcraft
parts) ...........365
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................159
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................87
Power adjustable
foot pedals .............................87–88
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................284
Power door locks ......................114
Power mirrors .............................86
Power point .................................82
Power steering ..........................249
fluid, checking and adding ....355
fluid, refill capacity ................366
fluid, specifications .................366
Power Windows ...........................83Power windows
opening using remote entry
system .....................................123
Push button start system .........238
R
Radio ............................................32
6-CD in dash .............................32
Rear heated seats .....................156
Rear-view camera system .........259
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................188
Relays ........................................280
Remote entry system .......121–122
illuminated entry ....................128
locking/unlocking doors .........123
opening the trunk ...................124
opening the windows .............123
panic alarm .............................124
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................127
replacing the batteries ...........126
Reverse sensing system ...........257
Roadside assistance ..................278
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ....157, 160,
162–163, 165–166
Safety Canopy ...................180, 182
Safety defects, reporting ..........316
Safety restraints ...............157, 160,
162–163, 165–166
Belt-Minder
...........................167
extension assembly ................165
Index
404
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)