2017 FORD TAURUS oil additives

Switching Between E85 andGasoline
We do not recommend repeatedlyalternating between E85 and gasoline. Ifyou switch from using E85 to gasoline, orfrom gasoline to E85, add as much fuel aspossible, at least half a tank. Drive yourvehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi(8 km) to allow it to adapt to the changein ethanol concentration. If you use E85exclusively, we recommend that you fillthe fuel tank with regular unleadedgasoline at each scheduled oil change.
FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel
Your vehicle is designed to operate onregular unleaded gasoline with a minimumpump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those inhigh altitude areas, offer fuels posted asregular unleaded gasoline with an octanerating below 87. We do not recommendthese fuels.
For best overall vehicle and engineperformance, premium fuel with an octanerating of 91 or higher is recommended. Theperformance gained by using premium fuelis most noticeable in hot weather as wellas other conditions, for example whentowing a trailer. See Towing (page 206).
Do not use any fuel other than thoserecommended because they could lead toengine damage that will not be covered bythe vehicle Warranty.
Note:Use of any fuel other than thoserecommended can impair the emissioncontrol system and cause a loss of vehicleperformance.
Do not use:
•Diesel fuel.
•Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
•Fuel containing more than 15% ethanolor E85 fuel.
•Fuels containing methanol.
•Fuels containing metallic-basedadditives, including manganese-basedcompounds.
•Fuels containing the octane boosteradditive, methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
•Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel isprohibited by law).
The use of fuels with metallic compoundssuch as methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (commonly knownas MMT), which is a manganese-basedfuel additive, will impair engineperformance and affect the emissioncontrol system.
Do not be concerned if the enginesometimes knocks lightly. However, if theengine knocks heavily while using fuel withthe recommended octane rating, contactan authorized dealer to prevent any enginedamage.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is under the luggagecompartment floor covering.
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4. Switch the engine off and wait 15minutes for the oil to drain into the oilpan. Checking the engine oil level toosoon after you switch the engine offmay result in an inaccurate reading.
5. Open the hood. See Opening andClosing the Hood (page 236).
6. Remove the dipstick and wipe it witha clean, lint-free cloth. See UnderHood Overview (page 240).
7. Replace the dipstick and remove itagain to check the oil level. SeeEngine Oil Dipstick (page 241).
8.Make sure that the oil level is betweenthe maximum and minimum marks. Ifthe oil level is at the minimum mark,add oil immediately. See Capacitiesand Specifications (page 304).
9. If the oil level is correct, replace thedipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
Note:Do not remove the dipstick when theengine is running.
Note: If the oil level is between themaximum and minimum marks, the oil levelis acceptable. Do not add oil.
Note:The oil consumption of new enginesreaches its normal level after approximately3,100 mi (5,000 km).
Adding Engine Oil
WARNING
Do not remove the filler cap whenthe engine is running.
Do not use supplemental engine oiladditives because they are unnecessaryand could lead to engine damage that maynot be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
Only use oils certified for gasoline enginesby the American Petroleum Institute (API).An oil with this trademark symbolconforms to the current engine andemission system protection standards andfuel economy requirements of theInternational Lubricants SpecificationAdvisory Committee (ILSAC).
To top up the engine oil level do thefollowing:
1. Clean the area surrounding the engineoil filler cap before you remove it.
2. Remove the engine oil filler cap. SeeUnder Hood Overview (page 240).Turn it counterclockwise and removeit.
3. Add engine oil that meets Fordspecifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 304). You mayhave to use a funnel to pour the engineoil into the opening.
4. Recheck the oil level.
5. If the oil level is correct, replace thedipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
6. Replace the engine oil filler cap. Turnit clockwise until you feel a strongresistance.
Note: Do not add oil further than themaximum mark. Oil levels above themaximum mark may cause engine damage.
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MaintenanceE142732

SpecificationName
ESB-M1C93-BMulti-purpose grease:Motorcraft® Multi-Purpose Grease SprayXL-5
--Lock cylinders (U.S.):Penetrating and Lock LubricantXL-1
--Lock cylinders (Canada):Penetrating FluidCXC-51-A
If you use oil and fluids that do not meetthe defined specification and viscositygrade, this may lead to:
•Component damage which is notcovered by the vehicle warranty.
•Longer engine cranking periods.
•Increased emission levels.
•Reduced engine performance.
•Reduced fuel economy.
•Degraded brake performance.
We recommend Motorcraft® motor oil foryour vehicle. If Motorcraft® oil is notavailable, use motor oils of therecommended viscosity grade that meetAPI SN requirements and display the APICertification Mark for gasoline engines. Donot use oil labeled with API SN servicecategory unless the label also displays theAPI certification mark.
An oil that displays this symbol conformsto current engine, emission system andfuel economy performance standards ofthe International Lubricants SpecificationAdvisory Council (ILSAC).
Do not use supplemental engine oiladditives because they are unnecessaryand could lead to engine damage that maynot be covered by your vehicle warranty.
Note:We recommends using DOT 4 LowViscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluidor equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Useof any fluid other than the recommendedfluid may cause degraded brakeperformance and not meet the Fordperformance standards. Keep brake fluidclean and dry. Contamination with dirt,water, petroleum products or othermaterials may result in brake systemdamage and possible failure.
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SpecificationName
Penetrating FluidCXC-51-A
If you use oil and fluids that do not meetthe defined specification and viscositygrade, this may lead to:
•Component damage which is notcovered by the vehicle warranty.
•Longer engine cranking periods.
•Increased emission levels.
•Reduced engine performance.
•Reduced fuel economy.
•Degraded brake performance.
We recommend Motorcraft® motor oil foryour vehicle. If Motorcraft® oil is notavailable, use motor oils of therecommended viscosity grade that meetAPI SN requirements and display the APICertification Mark for gasoline engines. Donot use oil labeled with API SN servicecategory unless the label also displays theAPI certification mark.
An oil that displays this symbol conformsto current engine, emission system andfuel economy performance standards ofthe International Lubricants SpecificationAdvisory Council (ILSAC).
Do not use supplemental engine oiladditives because they are unnecessaryand could lead to engine damage that maynot be covered by your vehicle warranty.
Note:We recommends using DOT 4 LowViscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluidor equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Useof any fluid other than the recommendedfluid may cause degraded brakeperformance and not meet the Fordperformance standards. Keep brake fluidclean and dry. Contamination with dirt,water, petroleum products or othermaterials may result in brake systemdamage and possible failure.
Note: Automatic transmissions that requireMERCON LV transmission fluid should onlyuse MERCON LV transmission fluid. The useof any other fluid may cause transmissiondamage.
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If you use oil and fluids that do not meetthe defined specification and viscositygrade, this may lead to:
•Component damage which is notcovered by the vehicle warranty.
•Longer engine cranking periods.
•Increased emission levels.
•Reduced engine performance.
•Reduced fuel economy.
•Degraded brake performance.
We recommend Motorcraft® motor oil foryour vehicle. If Motorcraft® oil is notavailable, use motor oils of therecommended viscosity grade that meetAPI SN requirements and display the APICertification Mark for gasoline engines. Donot use oil labeled with API SN servicecategory unless the label also displays theAPI certification mark.
An oil that displays this symbol conformsto current engine, emission system andfuel economy performance standards ofthe International Lubricants SpecificationAdvisory Council (ILSAC).
Do not use supplemental engine oiladditives because they are unnecessaryand could lead to engine damage that maynot be covered by your vehicle warranty.
Note:We recommend using DOT 4 LowViscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluidor equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Useof any fluid other than the recommendedfluid may cause degraded brakeperformance and not meet the Fordperformance standards. Keep brake fluidclean and dry. Contamination with dirt,water, petroleum products or othermaterials may result in brake systemdamage and possible failure.
Note: Automatic transmissions that requireMERCON LV transmission fluid should onlyuse MERCON LV transmission fluid. The useof any other fluid may cause transmissiondamage.
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When the oil change message appears inthe information display, it is time for an oilchange. Make sure you perform the oilchange within two weeks or 500 miles(800 kilometers) of the messageappearing. Make sure you reset theIntelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each oilchange. See Oil Change Indicator Reset(page 243).
If your information display resetsprematurely or becomes inoperative, youshould perform the oil change interval atsix months or 5000 miles (8000kilometers) from your last oil change.Never exceed one year or 10000 miles(16000 kilometers) between oil changeintervals.
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and builtwith multiple, complex, performancesystems. Every manufacturer developsthese systems using differentspecifications and performance features.That is why it is important to rely upon yourdealership to properly diagnose and repairyour vehicle.
Ford Motor Company has recommendedmaintenance intervals for various partsand component systems based uponengineering testing. Ford Motor Companyrelies upon this testing to determine themost appropriate mileage for replacementof oils and fluids to protect your vehicle atthe lowest overall cost to you andrecommends against maintenanceschedules that deviate from the scheduledmaintenance information.
We strongly recommend the use of onlygenuine Ford, Motorcraft orFord-authorized re-manufacturedreplacement parts engineered for yourvehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
This owner's manual and the FordWorkshop Manual list the recommendedadditives and chemicals for your vehicle.We do not recommend using chemicals oradditives not approved by us as part ofyour vehicle’s normal maintenance. Pleaseconsult your warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is anormal operating characteristic and, byitself, does not necessarily indicate aconcern or that the fluid needs to bechanged. However, a qualified expert, suchas the factory-trained technicians at yourdealership, should inspect discolored fluidsthat also show signs of overheating orforeign material contaminationimmediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle’s oils andfluids at the specified intervals or inconjunction with a repair. Flushing is aviable way to change fluid for many vehiclesub-systems during scheduledmaintenance. It is critical that systems areflushed only with new fluid that is the sameas that required to fill and operate thesystem or using a Ford-approved flushingchemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basicmaintenance checks and inspections everymonth or at six-month intervals.
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Scheduled Maintenance