2017 FORD TAURUS Owners Manual

•Use a quality wax that does not containabrasives.
•Follow the manufacturer’s instructionsto apply and remove the wax.
•Apply a small amount of wax in aback-and-forth motion, not in circles.
•Do not allow wax to come in contactwith any non-body (low-gloss black)colored trim. The wax will discolor orstain the parts over time.
•Roof racks.
•Bumpers.
•Grained door handles.
•Side moldings.
•Mirror housings.
•Windshield cowl area.
•Do not apply wax to glass areas.
•After waxing, your car's paint shouldfeel smooth, and be free of streaks andsmudges.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they areclean because grease and dirt buildup keepthe engine warmer than normal.
When washing:
•Take care when using a power washerto clean the engine. The high-pressurefluid could penetrate the sealed partsand cause damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with coldwater to avoid cracking the engineblock or other engine components.
•Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo andDegreaser on all parts that requirecleaning and pressure rinse clean. InCanada, use Motorcraft EngineShampoo.
•Never wash or rinse the engine while itis hot or running; water in the runningengine may cause internal damage.
•Never wash or rinse any ignition coil,spark plug wire or spark plug well, orthe area in and around these locations.
•Cover the battery, power distributionbox, and air filter assembly to preventwater damage when cleaning theengine.
CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND
WIPER BLADES
Car wash chemicals and environmentalfallout can result in windshield and wiperblade contamination. Dirty windshield andwipers will result in poor windshield wiperoperation. Keep the windshield and wiperblades clean to maintain windshield wiperperformance.
To clean the windshield and wiper blades:
•Clean the windshield with anon-abrasive glass cleaner. Whencleaning the interior of the windshield,avoid getting any glass cleaner on theinstrument panel or door panels. Wipeany glass cleaner off these surfacesimmediately.
•For windshields contaminated withtree sap, chemicals, wax or bugs, cleanthe entire windshield using steel wool(no greater than 0000 grade) in acircular motion and rinse with water.
•Clean the wiper blades with isopropylrubbing alcohol or windshield washerconcentrate.
Note: Do not use razor blades or othersharp objects to clean or remove decalsfrom the inside of the heated rear window.The vehicle warranty does not coverdamage caused to the heated rear windowgrid lines.
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CLEANING THE INTERIOR
WARNINGS
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleachor dye on the vehicle’s safety belts,as these actions may weaken thebelt webbing.
On vehicles equipped withseat-mounted airbags, do not usechemical solvents or strongdetergents. Such products couldcontaminate the side airbag system andaffect performance of the side airbag in acollision.
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety beltsand seats equipped with side airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with avacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil withMotorcraft Professional StrengthCarpet & Upholstery Cleaner.
•If grease or tar is present on thematerial, spot-clean the area first withMotorcraft Spot and Stain Remover. InCanada, use Motorcraft Multi-PurposeCleaner.
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spotcleaning, clean the entire areaimmediately (but do not oversaturate)or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaningproducts or glass cleaners, which canstain and discolor the fabric and affectthe flame retardant abilities of the seatmaterials.
CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS
WARNING
Do not use chemical solvents orstrong detergents when cleaning thesteering wheel or instrument panelto avoid contamination of the airbagsystem.
Note:Follow the same procedure ascleaning leather seats for cleaning leatherinstrument panels and leather interior trimsurfaces. See Cleaning Leather Seats(page 264).
Clean the instrument panel and clusterlens with a clean, damp and soft cloth,then use a clean, dry and soft cloth to drythese areas.
•Avoid cleaners or polishes that increasethe gloss of the upper portion of theinstrument panel. The dull finish in thisarea helps protect you fromundesirable windshield reflection.
•Do not use any household cleaningproducts or glass cleaners as thesemay damage the finish of theinstrument panel, interior trim andcluster lens.
•Wash or wipe your hands clean if youhave been in contact with certainproducts such as insect repellent andsuntan lotion to avoid possible damageto the interior painted surfaces.
•Do not allow air fresheners and handsanitizers to spill onto interior surfaces.If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately.Your warranty may not cover thesedamages.
If a staining liquid like coffee or juice hasbeen spilled on the instrument panel or oninterior trim surfaces:
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1. Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean,soft cloth as quickly as possible.
2. Use Motorcraft Premium Leather andVinyl Cleaner or a commerciallyavailable leather cleaning product forautomotive interiors. Test any cleaneror stain remover on an inconspicuousarea.
3. Alternatively, wipe the surface with aclean, soft cloth and a mild soap andwater solution. Dry the area with aclean, soft cloth.
4. If necessary, apply more soap andwater solution or cleaning product toa clean, soft cloth and press it onto thesoiled area. Allow this to set at roomtemperature for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the soaked cloth, then with aclean, damp cloth, use a rubbingmotion for 60 seconds on the soiledarea.
6. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS (If
Equipped)
Note:Follow the same procedure ascleaning leather seats for cleaning leatherinstrument panels and leather interior trimsurfaces.
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface witha soft, damp cloth and a mild soap andwater solution. Dry the area with a clean,soft cloth.
For cleaning and removing stains such asdye transfer, use Motorcraft PremiumLeather and Vinyl Cleaner or acommercially available leather cleaningproduct for automotive interiors.
Note:Test any cleaner or stain remover onan inconspicuous area.
You should:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with avacuum cleaner.
•Clean and treat spills and stains assoon as possible.
Do not use the following products as thesemay damage the leather:
•Oil and petroleum or silicone-basedleather conditioners.
•Household cleaners.
•Alcohol solutions.
•Solvents or cleaners intendedspecifically for rubber, vinyl andplastics.
REPAIRING MINOR PAINT
DAMAGE
Authorized dealers have touch-up paint tomatch your vehicle’s color. Your vehiclecolor code is printed on a sticker on thefront, left-hand side door jamb. Take yourcolor code to your authorized dealer tomake sure you get the correct color.
Before repairing minor paint damage, usea cleaner such as Motorcraft Bug and TarRemover to remove particles such as birddroppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tarspots, road salt and industrial fallout.
Always read the instructions before usingcleaning products.
CLEANING THE WHEELS
Note:Do not apply a cleaning chemical towarm or hot wheel rims and covers.
Note:Some automatic car washes maycause damage to the finish on your wheelrims and covers.
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Note:Industrial-strength or heavy-dutycleaners in combination with brush agitationto remove brake dust and dirt, could wearaway the clear coat finish over a period time.
Note:Do not use hydrofluoric acid-basedor high caustic-based wheel cleaners, steelwool, fuels or strong household detergents.
Note:If you intend parking your vehicle foran extended period after cleaning thewheels with a wheel cleaner, drive yourvehicle for a few minutes before doing so.This will reduce the risk of increasedcorrosion of the brake discs.
Alloy wheels and wheel covers are coatedwith a clear coat paint finish. To maintaintheir condition we recommend that you:
•Clean the wheels weekly usingMotorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner.Apply using manufacturer'sinstructions.
•Use a sponge to remove heavydeposits of dirt and brake dustaccumulation.
•Rinse thoroughly with a strong streamof water when you have completed thecleaning process.
•To remove tar and grease, useMotorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30days or more, read the followingmaintenance recommendations to makesure your vehicle stays in good operatingcondition.
We engineer and test all motor vehiclesand their components for reliable, regulardriving. Under various conditions,long-term storage may lead to degradedengine performance or failure unless youuse specific precautions to preserve enginecomponents.
General
•Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilatedplace.
•Protect from sunlight, if possible.
•If vehicles are stored outside, theyrequire regular maintenance to protectagainst rust and damage.
Body
•Wash your vehicle thoroughly toremove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud fromexterior surfaces, rear-wheel housingand the underside of front fenders.
•Periodically wash your vehicle if it isstored in exposed locations.
•Touch-up exposed or primed metal toprevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel partswith a thick coat of auto wax to preventdiscoloration. Re-wax as necessarywhen you wash your vehicle.
•Lubricate all hood, door and luggagecompartment hinges and latches witha light grade oil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil andsolvents.
Engine
•Change the engine oil and filter prior tostorage because used engine oilcontains contaminates which maycause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days for aminimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idlewith the climate controls set to defrostuntil the engine reaches normaloperating temperature.
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•With your foot on the brake, shiftthrough all the gears while the engineis running.
•We recommend that you change theengine oil before you use your vehicleagain.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fueluntil the first automatic shutoff of thefuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing your vehicle fromstorage, check coolant fluid level.Confirm that there are no coolingsystem leaks and that fluid is at therecommended level.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keepconnections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30days without recharging the battery,we recommend that you disconnectthe battery cables to maintain batterycharge for quick starting.
Note:It is necessary to reset memoryfeatures if battery cables are disconnected.
Brakes
•Make sure the brakes and parking brakerelease fully.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, leversand pins under your vehicle are coveredwith grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)every 15 days to lubricate working partsand prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out ofstorage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirtor grease film build-up on windowsurfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for anydeterioration.
•Check under the hood for any foreignmaterial that may have collectedduring storage such as mice or squirrelnests.
•Check the exhaust for any foreignmaterial that may have collectedduring storage.
•Check tire pressures and set tireinflation per the Tire Label.
•Check brake pedal operation. Driveyour vehicle 15 ft (4.5 m) back andforth to remove rust build-up.
•Check fluid levels (including coolant,oil and gas) to make sure there are noleaks, and fluids are at recommendedlevels.
•If you remove the battery, clean thebattery cable ends and check fordamage.
Contact an authorized dealer if you haveany concerns or issues.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
A decal with tire pressure data is locatedin the driver’s door opening.
Check and set the tire pressure at theambient temperature in which you areintending to drive your vehicle and whenthe tires are cold.
Note:Check your tire pressures regularly tooptimize fuel economy.
Note:Use only approved wheel and tiresizes. Using other sizes could damage yourvehicle and will make the National TypeApproval invalid.
Note:If you change the diameter of the tiresfrom that fitted at the factory, thespeedometer may not display the correctspeed. Take your vehicle to an authorizeddealer to have the engine managementsystem reprogrammed.
TIRE SEALANT AND INFLATOR
KIT (If Equipped)
Note:The temporary mobility kit canistercontains enough sealant compound for onetire repair only. See your authorized Forddealer for additional replacement sealantcanisters.
The kit is located under the load floor ofthe trunk. The kit consists of an aircompressor to inflate the tire and a sealingcompound in a canister that will effectivelyseal most punctures caused by nails orsimilar objects. This kit will provide atemporary tire repair allowing you to driveyour vehicle up to 120 mi (200 km) at amaximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) toreach a tire service location.
Air compressor (inside)A
Diverter knobB
On and off buttonC
Air pressure gaugeD
Sealant bottle and canisterE
Sealant filling clear tubeF
Sealant tube - tire valveconnectorG
Yellow cap toolH
Air compressor hoseI
Air hose -tire valve connectorJ
Accessory power plugK
Casing/housingL
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General Information
WARNING
Failure to follow these guidelinescould result in an increased risk ofloss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Note:Do not use the kit if a tire has becomeseverely damaged by driving the vehicle witha tire that has insufficient air pressure. Onlypunctured areas located within the tire treadcan be sealed with the kit.
Do not attempt to repair punctures largerthan ¼ inch (6 millimeters) or damage tothe tire's sidewall. The tire may notcompletely seal.
Loss of air pressure may adversely affecttire performance. For this reason:
Note:Do not drive the vehicle above50 mph (80 km/h).
Note:Do not drive further than 120 mi(200 km). Drive only to the closestauthorized Ford dealer or tire repair shop tohave your tire inspected.
•Drive carefully and avoid abruptsteering maneuvers.
•Periodically monitor tire inflationpressure in the affected tire. If the tireis losing pressure, have the vehicletowed.
•Read the information in the Tips forUse of the Kit section to make sure safeoperation of the kit and your vehicle.
Tips for Use of the Kit
Read the following list of tips to ensuresafe operation of the kit:
•Before operating the kit, make sureyour vehicle is safely off the road andaway from moving traffic. Turn on thehazard lights.
•Always set the parking brake to ensurethe vehicle does not moveunexpectedly.
•Do not remove any foreign objects,such as nails or screws, from the tire.
•When using the kit, leave the enginerunning (only if the vehicle is outdoorsor in a well-ventilated area) so thecompressor does not drain the vehiclebattery.
•Do not allow the compressor tooperate continuously for more than 15minutes. This will help prevent thecompressor from overheating.
•Never leave the kit unattended whenit is operating.
•Sealant compound contains latex.Make sure that you use the non-latexgloves provided to avoid an allergicreaction.
•Keep the kit away from children.
•Only use the kit when the ambienttemperature is between -22°F (-30°C)and 158°F (70°C).
•Only use the sealing compound beforethe use by date. The use by date is onthe lower right hand corner of the labellocated on the sealant canister(bottle). Check the use by dateregularly and replace the canister afterfour years.
•Do not store the kit unsecured insidethe passenger compartment of thevehicle as it may cause injury during asudden stop or crash. Always store thekit in its original location.
•After sealant use, the tire pressuremonitoring system sensor and valvestem on the wheel must be replacedby an authorized Ford dealer.
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•When inflating a tire or other objects,use the black air hose only. Do not usethe transparent hose which is designedfor sealant application only.
•Operating the kit could cause anelectrical disturbance in radio, CD, andDVD player operation.
What to do when a Tire IsPunctured
A tire puncture within the tire tread areacan be repaired in two stages with the kit.
•In the first stage, the tire will bereinflated with a sealing compoundand air. After the tire has beenreinflated, you will need to drive thevehicle a short distance 4 mi (6 km) todistribute the sealant in the tire.
•In the second stage, you will need tocheck the tire pressure and adjust, ifnecessary, to the vehicle tire inflationpressure.
First Stage: Reinflating the Tirewith Sealing Compound and Air
WARNINGS
Do not stand directly over the kitwhile inflating the tire. If you noticeany unusual bulges or deformationsin the tire sidewall during inflation, stopand call roadside assistance.
If the tire does not inflate to therecommended tire pressure within15 minutes, stop and call roadsideassistance.
Preparation: Park the vehicle in a safe, leveland secure area, away from moving traffic.Turn the hazard lights on. Apply the parkingbrake and turn the engine off. Inspect theflat tire for visible damage.
Sealant compound contains latex. Toavoid any allergic reactions, use thenon-latex gloves located in the accessorybox on the underside of the kit housing.
Do not remove any foreign object that haspierced the tire. If a puncture is located inthe tire sidewall, stop and call roadsideassistance.
1. Remove the valve cap from the tirevalve.
2. Unwrap the clear tube from thecompressor housing.
3. Remove the tube cap and fasten themetal connector of the tube to the tirevalve, turning clockwise. Make sure theconnection is tightly fastened.
4. Plug the power cable into the 12-voltpower point in the vehicle.
5. Remove the warning sticker found onthe canister and place it on the top ofthe instrument panel or the center ofthe dash.
6. Start the vehicle only if the vehicle isoutdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
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