Maintenance 280
General information...................................280
Opening and closing the hood............................281
Under hood overview..................................282
Engine oil dipstick....................................286
Engine oil check......................................286
Engine coolant check..................................287
Automatic transmission fluid check........................292
Brake fluid check.....................................297
Power steering fluid check..............................297
Fuel filter...........................................297
Washer fluid check....................................298
Battery.............................................298
Checking the wiper blades...............................300
Air filter(s)..........................................300
Adjusting the headlamps................................302
Changing a bulb......................................304
Bulb specification chart.................................308
Vehicle Care 309
Cleaning products.....................................309
Cleaning the exterior...................................309
Waxing.............................................311
Repairing minor paint damage............................311
Cleaning the engine...................................311
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................312
Cleaning the interior...................................312
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......313
Cleaning leather seats..................................314
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................314
Vehicle storage.......................................315
Table of Contents7
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
3Automatic transmissions that require MERCONLV should only use MERCONLV fluid. Refer
toscheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval. Use of any
fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.4See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.5Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A (3.5L V6 SHO/2.0L EcoBoost™ engines) or
WSS-M2C945 -A (3.5L V6 engine) and display the API Certification Mark.6Your engine has been designed to be used with Ford engine oil, which gives a fuel economy
benefit while maintaining the durability of your engine.
Using oils other than the one specified can result in longer engine cranking periods, reduced
engine performance, reduced fuel economy and increased emission levels.7Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
Capacities and Specifications359
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)