2013 FORD TAURUS four wheel drive

Safety Practices
WARNING:If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., do not
rapidly spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause
an explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the closest
safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but your
safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your vehicle
seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be out of
alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
332Wheels and Tires
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Never leave the temporary mobility kit unattended when it is operating.
•Sealant compound contains latex. Make sure that you use the
non-latex gloves provided to avoid an allergic reaction.
•Keep the temporary mobility kit away from children.
•Only use the temporary mobility kit when the ambient temperature is
between -40°F (-40°C) and 158°F (70°C).
•Only use the sealing compound before the use by date. The use by
date is on the lower right hand corner of the label located on the
sealant canister (bottle). Check the use by date regularly and replace
the canister after four years.
•Do not store the temporary mobility kit unsecured inside the
passenger compartment of the vehicle as it may cause injury during a
sudden stop or collision. Always store the kit in its original location.
•After sealant use, the TPMS sensor and valve stem on the wheel must
be replaced by an authorized Ford dealer.
•When inflating a tire or other objects, use the black air hose only. Do
not use the transparent hose which is designed for sealant application
only.
•Operating the temporary mobility kit could cause an electrical
disturbance in radio, CD, and DVD player operation (if equipped).
What to do when a Tire Is Punctured
A tire puncture within the tire’s tread area can be repaired in two stages
with the temporary mobility kit:
•In the first stage, the tire will be reinflated with a sealing compound
and air. After the tire has been reinflated, you will need to drive the
vehicle a short distance (approximately 4 miles [6 km]) to distribute
the sealant in the tire.
•In the second stage, you will need to check the tire pressure and
adjust, if necessary, to the vehicle’s tire inflation pressure.
Wheels and Tires347
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid .......................................... 292
engine oil ................................. 286
Display settings ......................... 492
Driving under special
conditions .................. 196, 199, 201
sand ......................................... 200
snow and ice ........................... 202
through water ................. 200, 254
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ......... 144, 146, 148
E
Electronic message center ....... 109
Electronic stability control ...... 209
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting .......................... 259
running out of fuel ................. 184
Emergency brake
(see Parking brake) .................. 205
Emission control system .......... 188
End user license agreement .... 516
Engine ................................ 354–355
cleaning ................................... 311
fail-safe cooling ....................... 290
idle speed control ................... 298
lubrication specifications ....... 356
refill capacities ........................ 356
service points .................. 283, 285
Engine block heater ................. 180
Engine oil
checking and adding .............. 286
dipstick .................................... 286
filter, specifications ................ 360refill capacities ........................ 356
specifications .......................... 356
Event data recording .................. 13
Exhaust fumes .......................... 180
F
Fail safe cooling ........................ 290
Fleet MyKey programming ........ 63
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) .... 182
Floor mats ................................. 255
Fluid capacities ......................... 356
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road ....................... 198
Fuel
cap ........................................... 186
capacity ................................... 356
choosing the right fuel ........... 183
filler funnel ............................. 184
filling your vehicle
with fuel .................................. 186
filter, specifications ........ 297, 360
fuel pump shut-off .................. 259
octane rating ................... 184, 354
running out of fuel ................. 184
safety information relating to
automotive fuels ..................... 182
Fuel and distance computer .... 112
outside temperature
indicator .................................. 112
to empty indicator .................. 112
trip distance ............................ 112
trip/reset button ..................... 112
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) ................................. 182–183
Fuses .................................. 271–272
536Index
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)