2013 FORD TAURUS coolant level

Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description
Engine OilEngine
CoolantEngine
Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open
When HotBatteryAvoid
Smoking,
Flames, or
Sparks
Battery AcidExplosive GasFan Warning
Power
Steering FluidMaintain
Correct Fluid
LevelService
Engine Soon
Engine Air
FilterCabin Air
FilterJack
Check Fuel
CapLow Tire
Pressure
Warning
12Introduction
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Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Display Mode
Use the up/down arrow buttons to choose between the
following display options.
Display mode †Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 †Option 4
XXX mi (km) to empty X
Fuel gaugeXXXX
Bar tachometer X X
Round tachometer X X
Engine coolant temp
gaugeX
Total odometer (lower
left corner)XXXX
†Vehicles with Intelligent AWD only. You can choose to have only the
fuel gauge show in this mode. Refer toDisplay>Gauge Display
found in the table under theSettingssection later in this chapter.
Regardless of display mode chosen, when SelectShift Automatic™
transmission (SST) is activated, the cluster will change to the round
tachometer if not already selected. After the round tachometer
displays, other display modes with the bar tachometer can also be
chosen.
•XXX mi (km) to empty: Shows approximate fuel level before the fuel
tank reaches empty. The value is dynamic and can change (raise or
lower) depending on driving style.
•Fuel gauge: Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank. The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion or
on a grade. When the fuel level becomes low, the level indicator will
change to amber. When the fuel level becomes critical ly low, the level
indicator will change to red.
Note:When a MyKeyis in use, low fuel warnings will display earlier.
The fuel icon and arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
•Bar/Round tachometer: Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per
minute. Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top
of the scale may damage the engine. During SelectShift Automatic™
transmission (SST) use, the currently selected gear will appear in the
display.
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•Engine coolant temperature gauge: Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating temperature, the level indicator will
be in the normal range. If the engine coolant temperature exceeds the
normal range, stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine and let the engine cool.
•Intelligent AWD (if equipped): displays power distribution between the
front and rear wheels. More power to either front or rear wheels will
be displayed by more area filled in.
Trip1&2
Choose between the standard or enhanced trip display.
Trip1&2 Standard display†Enhanced
display
Trip distance X X
Elapsed trip time X X
Average fuel economy X
Estimated amount of fuel consumed X
Total odometer (lower left corner)
Press OK to pause the Trip 1 or 2 screen. Press again to un-pause.
Press and hold OK to reset the currently displayed trip information.
†When the vehicle is in P (Park), the enhanced display is always shown
regardless of setting.
•Trip distance — shows the accumulated trip distance.
•Elapsed trip time— timer stops when the vehicle is turned off and
restarts when the vehicle is restarted.
•Average fuel economy — shows the average fuel economy for a given
trip.
•Estimated amount of fuel consumed — shows the amount of fuel used
for a given trip.
•Elapsed trip time — timer stops when the vehicle is turned off and
restarts when the vehicle is restarted.
11 6Information Displays
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Keys and Intelligent
Access MessagesAction / Description
Press Brake to Start Displayed when the start/stop button is
pressed without the brake pedal being applied.
This is a reminder that the brake pedal must
be applied when the start/stop button is
pressed in order to start the engine.
Restart Now or Key is
NeededDisplayed when the start/stop button is
pressed to shut off the engine and a Intelligent
Access Key is not detected inside the vehicle.
Accessory Power
ActiveDisplayed when the vehicle is in the accessory
ignition state.
Starting System Fault This message is displayed when there is a
problem with your vehicle’s starting system.
See your authorized dealer for service.
Maintenance
MessagesAction / Description
LOW Engine Oil
PressureStop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
turn off the engine. Check the oil level. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on with
your engine running, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Change Engine Oil
SoonDisplayed when the engine oil life remaining is
10% or less.
Oil Change Required Displayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
Engine Coolant Over
TempDisplayed when the engine coolant
temperature is excessively high.
Washer Fluid Level
LowIndicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level.
Steering Malfunction
Service NowDisplays when the steering system needs
service. See your authorized dealer.
Service Power Steering The power steering system has detected a
condition that requires service. See your
authorized dealer.
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ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
Checking the coolant level
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.
Note:Make sure that the level is at the FULL COLD level or within the
COLD FILL RANGE in the coolant reservoir.
Note:For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240E available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentrations.
Note:Coolant expands when it is hot. The level may extend beyond the
COLD FILL RANGE.
If the level is below the COLD FILL RANGE, add coolant immediately.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant/antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding Engine Coolant
WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
WARNING:Do not add coolant further than the MAX mark.
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Note:Do not use stop leak pellets or cooling system sealants/additives as
they can cause damage to the engine cooling and/or heating systems.
This damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
Note:During normal vehicle operation, the engine coolant may change
color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine
coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be
drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.
•
DO NOT MIX different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle. Make
sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may harm
your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant may harm
engine and cooling system components and may void the warranty.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained, chemically cleaned with Motorcraft
Premium Cooling System Flush, and refilled with prediluted engine
coolant as soon as possible. Water alone (without engine coolant) can
cause engine damage from corrosion, overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed with
alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol and other liquids can
cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
•
Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These can be
harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine coolant.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure will escape as you unscrew the
cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant meeting the Ford specification. See
Capacities and Specificationsfor more information.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough prediluted engine coolant to bring the coolant
level to the proper level.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
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The air conditioning may also cycle on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect overheating of the engine. When the engine coolant
temperature decreases to a more normal operating temperature, the air
conditioning will turn on once again.
If you notice any of the following:
•the engine coolant temperature gauge moves fully into the red (hot)
area
•the coolant temperature warning light illuminates
•the service engine soon indicator illuminates
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and place the vehicle in P
(Park).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
moves away from the H range. After several minutes, if this does not
happen, follow the remaining steps.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for it to cool before checking the coolant
level.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
4. If the coolant level is normal, you may restart your engine and
continue on.
5. If the coolant is low, add coolant, restart the engine and take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer. SeeAdding engine coolantin this
chapter for more information.
Refer to fail-safe cooling for additional information.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot) area.
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•The service engine soon indicator will illuminate.
•The coolant temperature warning light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine will
automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
WARNING:Fail-safe mode is for use during emergencies only.
Operate the vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long as necessary to
bring the vehicle to rest in a safe location and seek immediate repairs.
When in fail-safe mode, the vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and may completely shut down
without warning, potentially losing engine power, power steering assist,
and power brake assist, which may increase the possibility of a crash
resulting in serious injury.
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