2012 FORD TAURUS towing

SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS
If you operate your vehicleprimarilyin any of the following conditions,
you need to perform additional maintenance as indicated. If you
occasionallyoperate your vehicle under any of these conditions, it is
not necessary to perform the additional maintenance. For specific
recommendations, see your dealership service advisor or technician.
Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier
As required Change engine oil and filter as indicated by
message center and perform services listed in the
Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredInspect and lubricate U-joints
See axle maintenance items underExceptions
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
Focus)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Change manual transmission fluid
Perform the services in the preceding table when specified or within
3,000 miles (4,800 km) of the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message
appearing in the message center.
Example #1:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message comes on at
28,751 miles (46,270 km); perform the 30,000 mile (48,000 km)
automatic transmission fluid replacement.
Example #2:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message hasnotcome on
but the odometer reads 30,000 miles (48,000 km); perform the engine air
filter replacement. (i.e., Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ was reset at
25,000 miles [40,000 km].)
Extensive idling and/or low-speed driving for long distances as
in heavy commercial use (i.e. delivery, taxi, patrol car or livery)
As required Change engine oil and filter as indicated by
message center and perform services listed in the
Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredReplace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
Focus)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Replace spark plugs
Scheduled Maintenance
394
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

EXCEPTIONS
There are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule. They are listed
below:
Normal vehicle axle maintenance:Rear axles and power take-off
(PTO) units with synthetic fluid and light-duty trucks equipped with
Ford-design axles are lubricated for life; do not check or change fluid
unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the assembly has been
submerged in water. During long periods of trailer towing with outside
temperatures above 70°F (21°C) and at wide-open throttle for long
periods above 45 mph (72 km/h), non-synthetic rear axle fluids should
be changed every 3,000 miles (4,800 km) or three months, whichever
comes first. This interval can be waived if the axle is filled with 75W140
synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part
number F1TZ-19580-B or equivalent. Add friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear
axles (refer toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for details).
Police/Taxi/Livery vehicle axle maintenance:Change rear axle fluid
every 100,000 miles (160,000 km). Rear axle fluid change may be waived
if the axle was filled with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford
specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number FITZ-19580-B or equivalent.
Add four ounces (118 mL) of additive friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear
axles. The axle fluid should be changed anytime the axle has been
submerged in water
California fuel filter replacement:If the vehicle is registered in
California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle’s
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all
recommended maintenance services performed at the specified intervals
and to record all vehicle service.
Class A Motorhome:Change brake fluid every two years.
Hot climate oil change intervals:If operating conditions are normal
and you drive your vehicle under typical, everyday conditionsandyou
are using an API performance category oil of SL or later (for example
SM, etc.) then you can follow the 7,500 mile (12,000 km) normal service
oil change intervals schedule. Vehicles operating in the Middle East,
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with similar climates must
follow the oil change interval of 3,000 mile (4,800 km) if the owner is
Scheduled Maintenance
398
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................373
Satellite Radio Information ........47
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............388
Seats ..........................................138
child safety seats ....................190
climate control ..................54, 148
easy access/easyout feature ..151
front seats .......................141, 147
heated ..............................146, 156
memory seat ...................124, 150
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................129
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................131
Servicing your vehicle ..............328
Setting the clock .........................33
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............185
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................293
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................367, 372
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................368
Speed control ..............................88
Starting your vehicle ........235–237
jump starting ..........................307
push button start system .......238
Steering wheel
controls ......................................98
tilting .........................................77
Stereo
CD-MP3 .....................................32
SYNC..........................................50
T
Temporary mobility kit .............297Tilt steering wheel ......................77
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....218
Tires ...........................203–204, 290
alignment ................................211
care ..........................................207
changing ..................290, 293–294
checking the pressure ............207
inflating ...................................205
label .........................................217
replacing ..................................209
rotating ....................................211
safety practices .......................210
sidewall information ...............212
snow tires and chains ............222
spare tire .................................291
Temporary mobility kit ..........297
terminology .............................204
tire grades ...............................204
treadwear ........................203, 208
Towing .......................................230
recreational towing .................233
trailer towing ..........................230
wrecker ....................................310
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............368
lubricant specifications ..........368
Transmission .............................253
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....251
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................358
Trunk .................................106, 119
remote release ........................124
Turn signal ..................................68
U
Universal garage door opener ..101
USB port ......................................44
Index
405
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................374
Vehicle loading ..........................223
Ventilating your vehicle ...........241
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................332Water, Driving through .............279
Windows
opening using remote entry
system .....................................123
power .........................................83
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................76
checking and adding fluid .....332
replacing wiper blades ...........333
Wrecker towing .........................310
Index
406
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)