tire type FORD TAURUS 1998 3.G Owners Manual

Page 103 of 192

DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water,
especially if the depth is unknown. Traction or brake
capability may be limited and if the ignition system
gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also
enter your engine's air intake and severely damage
your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is
unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (truck)/wheel rims (car).
Once through the 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.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight you can safely tow
depends on the type of engine you have in your
vehicle. Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Mercury/Lincoln dealers.
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 800 km (500 miles). If towing with a
station wagon, inflate the rear tires to 35 psi.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your
vehicle's engine, transaxle, brakes, tires and
suspension. Inspect these components carefully after
towing.
The amount of weight that you can tow depends on
the type of engine in your vehicle. See the following
charts:
Driving
103

Page 117 of 192

When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under any
circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load
rating listed on the Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car wash, because of
the vehicle's reduced ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it
from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Removing and replacing wheel covers
Center wheel cover
1. Pry the center
ornament off the wheel
cover with the lug
wrench. Pry only at the
notch. Do not use a
screwdriver or any
other tool as this may
damage the wheel
cover surface finish.
2. Remove the center
bolt on the wheel cover
with the lug wrench
tip.
Roadside emergencies
117

Page 150 of 192

Changing the wiper blades
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm
away from the
windshield and lock
into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an
angle from the wiper
arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the
blade and pull the
wiper blade down
toward the windshield
to remove it from the arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the wiper arm and press
it into place until a click is heard.
INFORMATION ABOUT TIRE QUALITY GRADES
New vehicles are fitted
with tires that have
their Tire Quality
Grade (described
below) molded into the
tire's sidewall. These
Tire Quality Grades are
determined by
standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for
use on passenger cars. They do not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
Maintenance and care
150

Page 184 of 192

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety compliance label
The National Highway
Traffic Safety
Administration
Regulations require
that a Safety
Compliance
Certification Label be
affixed to a vehicle and
prescribe where the
Safety Compliance
Certification Label may
be located. The Safety Compliance Certification
Label is located on the front door latch pillar on the
driver's side.
Vehicle identification number
The vehicle
identification number
is attached to a metal
tag and is located on
the driver side
instrument panel.
Engine number
The engine number (the last eight numbers of the
vehicle identification number) is stamped on the
engine block, transmission, frame and transfer case
(if equipped).
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXXTHIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXAIR BAG
Capacities and specifications
184