2015 FORD TAURUS cooling

components. This condition may be indicated by an AWD Off message in
the information display. If there is an AWD Off message in the
information display from using the spare tire, this indicator should turn
off after reinstalling the repaired or replaced normal road tire and cycling
the ignition off and on. It is recommended to reinstall the repaired or
replaced road tire as soon as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes between
the front and rear axles could cause the AWD system to stop functioning
and default to front-wheel drive or damage the AWD system.
Driving In Special Conditions With All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD vehicles are equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and rough
roads and have operating characteristics that are somewhat different
from conventional vehicles, both on and off the highway.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside
temperatures, use a low gear when possible. Lower gear operation will
maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Basic operating principles in special conditions
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the Pavement
• If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
• It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
• It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped) 189
2015 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2014
USA(fus)

Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid excessive wheel slip.
Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand for an extended period of time.
This could cause the AWD system to overheat and default to front-wheel
drive. If this occurs AWD Off will be displayed in the Information Display.
To resume normal AWD function as soon as possible, stop the vehicle in
a safe location and stop the engine for at least 10 minutes. After the
engine has been restarted and the AWD system has adequately cooled,
the AWD Off message will turn off and normal AWD function will return.
In the event the engine is not stopped, the AWD Off message will turn
off when the system cools and normal AWD function returns.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside
temperatures, use L (Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear operation
will maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Avoid driving at excessive speeds, this causes vehicle momentum to work
against you and your vehicle could become stuck to the point that
assistance may be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be
able to back out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom of the hubs
(for trucks) (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets
wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)191
2015 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2014
USA(fus)

When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers).
• 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).
• When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place
the gearshift in position Pto aid engine and transmission cooling and
to help air conditioning performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on
long, steep grades.
• 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 a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul
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:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in position P.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not included with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer beforebacking the trailer into
the water.
Note: Reconnect the wiring to the trailer afterremoving the trailer from
the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 centimeters)
above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
250 Towing
2015 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2014
USA(fus)

JUMP-STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNING:The gases around the battery can explode if exposed
to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
WARNING: Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin,
eyes and clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your automatic transmission vehicle.
Automatic transmissions do not have push-start capability. Attempting to
push-start a vehicle with an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may exhibit a combination of firm and soft shifts. This
operation is considered normal and will not affect function or durability
of the transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully
update transmission operation.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Note: Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
Note: Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
1. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehicles do not touch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
2. Check all battery terminals. Remove the positive terminal cover (if
equipped) and any excessive corrosion before you attach the battery
cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
3. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect from any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
260 Roadside Emergencies
2015 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2014
USA(fus)

The high-current fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse or relaynumber Fuse amp
rating Protected components
1 — Not used
2 — Not used
3 — Not used
4 30A** Wiper motor relay
5 50A** Anti-lock brake system pump
6 — Not used
7 — Not used
8 20A** Moonroof, Power sunshade
9 20A** Second row powerpoint
10 — Not used
11 — Heated rear window relay
12 — Not used
13 — Starter motor high-current relay
14 — Left-hand cooling fan #2 relay
15 — Fuel pump ultra relay
16 — Not used
17 — Not used
97
98
77 96
95
94
93 92 91 90 89
88
66
44 78
56
39 26 18 1617
31 2
456789
192021222324
2728293031 40414243 55
575859606162636465
798081828384858687
67
45
32
10111213
333435
464748495051
6869707172
74
73
76
75
53
37 36
54
38
25
15
1452
272
Fuses
2015 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2014
USA(fus)

Fuse or relaynumber Fuse amp
rating Protected components
18 40A** Front blower motor relay
19 30A** Starter relay
20 20A** Storage bin powerpoint
21 20A** Rear heated seat module
22 — Massage control seats relay
23 30A** Driver power seat, Memory
module
24 — Not used
25 — Not used
26 40A** Rear window defrost relay
27 20A** Cigar lighter
28 30A** Climate controlled seats
29 40A** Electric fan relay 1
30 40A** Electric fan relay 2
31 25A** Electric fan relay 3
32 — Power seat relay
33 — Right-hand cooling fan relay
34 — Blower motor high-current relay
35 — Left-hand cooling fan #1 relay
36 — Not used
37 — Not used
38 — Not used
39 — Not used
40 — Not used
41 — Not used
42 30A** Passenger power seat
43 20A** Anti-lock brake system valves
44 — Not used
45 5A* Rain sensor
46 — Not used
47 — Not used
Fuses 273
2015 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2014
USA(fus)

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.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling system sealants or additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling 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.
• In case of emergency, a large amount of water without engine coolant
may be added in order 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 engine
coolant as soon as possible. Water alone (without engine coolant) can
cause engine damage from corrosion, overheating or freezing.
288 Maintenance
2015 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2014
USA(fus)

•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 Specifications for 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.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
• It may be necessary to have a Ford authorized dealer increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
• A coolant concentration of 60% will provide improved freeze point
protection. Engine coolant concentrations above 60% will decrease the
overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may
cause engine damage.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
• It may be necessary to have a Ford authorized dealer decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.
• A coolant concentration of 40% will provide improved overheat
protection. Engine coolant concentrations below 40% will decrease the
corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant
and may cause engine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use prediluted
engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
Maintenance 289
2015 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2014
USA(fus)