2013 FORD TAURUS brakes

WARNING:Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification Label
vehicle weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle
handling or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)– is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the towing
vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.The
GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight– is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer), and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]).Consult
your authorized dealer (or theRV and Trailer Towing Guide
provided by your authorized dealer) for more detailed
information.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer up to 1000 lb (454 kg) gross
trailer weight with a maximum tongue load of 100 lb (45 kg). Do not tow
with the Taurus SHO; it is not rated to tow a trailer.
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
1000 miles (1600 kilometers).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to your
scheduled maintenance information.
For load specification terms found on the label and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer to theLoad Carryingchapter.
Remember to account for the trailer tongue weight as part of the vehicle
load when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the
axle. Distribute the trailer load so 10–15% of the total trailer weight is on
the tongue.
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Safety Chains
Always connect the safety chains to the vehicle’s hook retainers. To
connect the safety chains, cross them under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the rental agency’s instructions.
Note:Never attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly
increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer Lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Ensure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact
your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions
and equipment for hooking up the lamps.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing-up to get the feel of the
vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers) and do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•Place the gearshift lever in P (Park) to aid in engine/transmission
cooling and A/C efficiency during hot weather while stopped in traffic.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may turn off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
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•Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with the grade assist feature, use this
feature when towing. This provides engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor
Company has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure. If the vehicle is
towed incorrectly, or by any other means, vehicle damage may occur.
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•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING:Drive through water in an emergency only, and not
as part of normal driving.
WARNING:Engine damage can occur if water enters the air
filter.
Note:Driving through deep water may allow water into the transmission
or air intake and can cause internal vehicle damage or cause it to stall.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom
of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be
limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely
damage your engine or your vehicle
may stall.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle
as quickly as dry brakes.
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Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more), fuel
may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add a quality gas stabilizer product to
the vehicle fuel system whenever actual or expected storage periods
exceed 30 days. Follow the instructions on the additive label. The vehicle
should then be operated at idle speed to circulate the additive
throughout the fuel system.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and pins under vehicle are
covered with grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15 days to lubricate
working parts and prevent corrosion.
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911 Assist™ ...................... 408, 488
A
ABS (see Brakes) ..................... 205
Accessing and using your
USB port .................................... 467
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call ............. 398
Accessing your calendar .......... 488
Accessing your media menu
features ...................................... 420
Accessing your phone menu
features ...................................... 399
Accessory delay .......................... 96
Active call menu options ......... 398
Active Park Assist ..................... 212
Adaptive Cruise Control ........... 221
Adding (pairing) a phone ........ 475
Advanced menu options ... 407, 427
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) .............................. 407
Airbag supplemental restraint
system .......................................... 45
and child safety seats .............. 46
description ................................ 45
disposal ...................................... 54
driver airbag .............................. 45
passenger airbag ....................... 45
side airbag ........................... 45, 50
Air cleaner filter ....... 300–301, 360
Air conditioning ........................ 142
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............... 142All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road ......................... 197
Ambient mood/lighting ............. 493
AM/FM ....................................... 450
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .............................. 205
Anti-theft system .................. 77, 80
arming the system .............. 77, 80
disarming a triggered system .. 80
Audio system
Single CD ................ 130, 134, 136
Audio system
(see Radio) ................ 130, 134, 136
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ................................. 192
fluid, adding ............................ 292
fluid, checking ........................ 292
fluid, refill capacities .............. 356
fluid, specification .................. 356
Selectshift (SST) .................... 193
Auxiliary Input Jack ................. 461
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) .. 137
Auxiliary powerpoint ................ 173
A/V inputs .......................... 139, 472
B
Battery ....................................... 298
acid, treating emergencies ..... 298
jumping a disabled battery .... 259
maintenance-free .................... 298
replacement, specifications ... 360
servicing .................................. 298
Blind Spot Information
System ....................................... 229
Booster seats ............................... 23
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Brakes ........................................ 204
anti-lock ................................... 205
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ........................... 205
brake warning light ................ 205
fluid, checking and adding .... 297
fluid, refill capacities .............. 356
fluid, specifications ................. 356
lubricant specifications .......... 356
parking .................................... 205
shift interlock .......................... 195
trailer ....................................... 249
C
Capacities for refilling fluids .... 356
Cargo net ................................... 240
CD .............................. 130, 134, 136
CD player .......................... 128, 463
CD voice commands ................. 464
Cell phone use ............................ 16
Changing a tire ......................... 339
Child safety restraints .......... 28, 30
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps .... 30
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ................................. 36
LATCH ....................................... 28
Child safety seats - booster
seats ............................................. 23
Cleaning the touchscreen ........ 438
Cleaning your vehicle ............... 309
engine compartment .............. 311
instrument panel .................... 313
interior ..................................... 312
plastic parts ............................ 310
washing .................................... 309
waxing ..................................... 311wheels ...................................... 314
wiper blades ............................ 312
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) .......... 142
Climate voice commands ......... 503
Clock .................................. 130, 492
Collision Warning System ......... 234
Compass Display ....................... 112
Console ...................................... 174
overhead .................................. 175
Coolant
checking and adding .............. 287
refill capacities ........................ 356
specifications .......................... 356
Cross Traffic Alert .................... 229
Cruise control ........................... 220
Cupholder(s) ............................. 166
Customer Assistance ................ 257
Ford Extended Service
Plan .................................. 366, 369
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada .............. 267
Getting roadside assistance ... 257
Getting the service you
need ......................................... 263
Ordering additional owner’s
literature ................................. 269
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ................................... 267
Customizing your home
screen ........................................ 437
D
Defrost ............... 142, 144, 146, 148
rear window ............................ 151
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