FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual

193
*
[DR04451(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
%*
[DR04501(ALL)11/94]
Using a column-mounted gearshift
*
[DR04550(ALL)04/95]
If your gearshift is on the column, you can use
any of the following positions:
[DR04601(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0000491-E
The column-mounted gearshift
*
[DR04650(ALL)01/95]
Once you place the gearshift securely into
position, gradually release the brake pedal and
use the accelerator as necessary.
%*
[DR05100(ALL)01/95]
R (Reverse)
*
[DR05200(ALL)08/95]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
*
[DR05250(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
*
[DR05275(ALL)01/95]
With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position,
the vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
position.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

194 %
*
[DR05300(ALL)01/95]
Driving
%*
[DR05400(ALL)04/95]
When to usej(Overdrive)
*
[DR05500(ALL)04/95]
j(Overdrive) is the usual driving position for
an automatic overdrive transaxle. It works the
same way D (Drive) works, automatically
upshifting or downshifting as the vehicle speeds
or slows.
*
[DR05600(ALL)04/95]
However,j(Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth
gear Ð an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at a consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
*
[DR05800(ALL)06/95]
When to use D (Drive)
[DR06000(ALL)12/95]
D (Drive) eliminates the excessive shifting
between third and fourth gears that your vehicle
sometimes does when you are traveling through
hilly terrain inj(Overdrive). It also provides
more engine braking thanj(Overdrive) for
descending hills or city driving.
*
[DR06100(ALL)06/95]
When to use 1 (First)
*
[DR06200(ALL)11/94]
Use 1 (First) when added engine braking is
desired when descending steep hills.
*
[DR06220(ALL)11/94]
The automatic transaxle will shift to the proper
gear to ascend any grade without any need to
shift to 1 (First).
[DR06300(ALL)04/95]
Do not go faster than 38 mph (61 km/h) in this
gear. You can upshift from 1 (First) to D (Drive)
or from 1 (First) toj(Overdrive) at any speed.
*
[DR06400(ALL)01/95]
P (Park)
*
[DR06500(ALL)11/94]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
rotating.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

195
*
[DR06600(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR06625(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
[DR06700(ALL)11/94]
You can tell a column-mounted gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) if you cannot move
it without pulling it toward you and rotating it
downward.
% [DR06705(ALL)04/95]Driving with an Automatic
Overdrive Transaxle (Column or
Console Gearshift with O/D OFF
Switch)
[DR06710(ALL)02/95]
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides
fully automatic operation in either D (Overdrive)
or with the O/D OFF Switch depressed. Driving
with the shift selector in D (Overdrive) gives the
best fuel economy for normal driving conditions.
For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then
shift manually.
%*
[DR06730(ALL)01/95]
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
[DR06735(ALL)04/95]
You must push in the thumb button to move the
console-mounted gearshift to the position you
choose.
[DR06740(ALL)02/95]
To move the gearshift out of P (Park), the
ignition must be turned from the locked position
to either the OFF or the ON position.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

196
*
[DR06745(ALL)03/95]
To operate:
*
[DR06750(ALL)01/95]
1. Start the engine.
*
[DR06755(ALL)01/95]
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
*
[DR06760(ALL)01/95]
3. Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
%*
[DR06765(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. This
feature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be
moved from P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
*
[DR06770(ALL)01/95]
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
[DR06775(ALL)11/94]
2. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise
to the first position (OFF).
[DR06780(ALL)11/94]
3. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
*
[DR06781(ALL)07/95]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledServicing Your Taurus
in this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
*
[DR06783(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

197 [DR06785(ALL)04/95]
Using the gearshift
*
[DR06787(ALL)04/95]
If your gearshift is on the column, you can use
any of the following positions:
% [DR06788(ALL)04/95]
half page art:0001435-A
The column-mounted gearshift
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

198 [DR06789(ALL)04/95]If your gearshift is on the console, you can use
any of the following positions:
% [DR06790(ALL)04/95]
half page art:0001028-D
The console-mounted gearshift
*
[DR06791(ALL)04/95]
The console-mounted gearshift will lock when
you turn the key to the LOCK position. When
the gearshift is in any position except P (Park),
the ignition key cannot be turned to LOCK or
removed from the steering column. TO
REMOVE THE KEY, the gearshift levermustbe
in P (Park).
*
[DR06793(ALL)11/94]
Once the gearshift is secure in the desired
position, release the brake pedal and use the
accelerator as necessary.
%*
[DR06795(ALL)01/95]
R (Reverse)
*
[DR06800(ALL)08/95]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

199
*
[DR06802(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
*
[DR06804(ALL)01/95]
With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position,
the vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
position.
%*
[DR06805(ALL)01/95]
Driving
%*
[DR06825(ALL)05/95]
When to use D (Overdrive)
*
[DR06830(ALL)11/94]
D (Overdrive) is the usual driving position for
an automatic overdrive transaxle. It
automatically upshifts or downshifts as the
vehicle speeds or slows.
*
[DR06835(ALL)11/94]
However, D (Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth
gear Ð an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at a consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
[DR07025(ALL)04/95]
When to use D (O/D OFF)
[DR07050(ALL)12/95]
You will notice that there is only one drive
position on your gearshift indicator (instead of
Drive and Overdrive). However, you will find a
switch labeled O/D located on the gearshift
lever. Push in the switch and the O/D OFF light
in the instrument cluster will illuminate. With
the O/D OFF light illuminated, the transaxle
will operate in first, second and third gears and
will not shift into fourth gear. Operating in D
(O/D OFF) eliminates the excessive shifting
between third and fourth gears that your vehicle
sometimes does when you are traveling through
hilly terrain in D (Overdrive). It also provides
more engine braking than D (Overdrive) for
descending hills or city driving.
[DR07075(ALL)04/95]
To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive
operation, press the O/D OFF switch again. Use
this switch to select Overdrive or D (O/D OFF)
whenever you drive your vehicle.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

200 [DR08050(ALL)09/95]NOTE: If the O/D OFF indicator light is
flashing on and off repeatedly when
the vehicle is started or does not come
on when the O/D OFF switch is
pushed, it means that there is a
transaxle electronic system malfunction.
You should contact your dealer as soon
as possible or damage to the transaxle
could occur.
*
[DR08075(ALL)10/95]
The transaxle will be in the ªoverdrive onº
mode when the vehicle is started even if the
O/D OFF mode was selected when the vehicle
was last shut off.
*
[DR09025(ALL)01/95]
When to use 2 (Second)
[DR09050(ALL)11/94]
Use Second for start-up on slippery roads or to
give you more engine braking to slow your
vehicle on downgrades.
*
[DR09075(ALL)06/95]
When to use 1 (First)
*
[DR10025(ALL)11/94]
Use 1 (First) when added engine braking is
desired when descending steep hills.
*
[DR10050(ALL)11/94]
The automatic transaxle will shift to the proper
gear to ascend any grade without any need to
shift to 1 (First).
[DR10075(ALL)11/94]
Do not go faster than 38 mph (61 km/h) in this
gear. You can upshift from 1 (First) to D
(Overdrive) at any speed.
*
[DR10125(ALL)01/95]
P (Park)
*
[DR10150(ALL)11/94]
Always come to a complete stop before you shift
into P (Park). Make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
rotating.
[DR10160(ALL)04/95]
If your vehicle has a console mounted gearshift,
the gearshift indicator in the cluster is
illuminated in P (Park) only when the gearshift
button is released.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

201
*
[DR10175(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR10225(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running.
[DR10275(ALL)11/94]
You can tell a console-mounted gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) if you cannot move
it without pushing in the thumb button.
%
*
[DR15600(ALL)01/95]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[DR15800(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
[DR15970(ALL)11/94]
Your vehicle has variable-assist steering. This
system provides light power steering efforts for
parking and heavier power steering efforts for
highway driving. If you notice that the power
steering effort does not change according to the
speed you are traveling, or if the power steering
system is not working, have the system checked.
%*
[DR16100(ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
*
[DR16150(ALL)01/95]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

202
[DR16170( T)10/95]
Semi-Active Ride Control
(SHO only)
[DR16190( T)12/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a semi-active ride
control suspension system. Ride and handling is
enhanced by firm shock absorber performance
during certain road conditions and handling
maneuvers. The shock absorber is returned to a
softer performance when driver or road surface
induced motion ceases. This system is automatic
with no direct driver input required.
%
*
[DR16200(ALL)03/95]
Brakes
%*
[DR16300(ALL)01/95]
Applying the Brakes
*
[DR16450(ALL)05/95]
Your vehicle may have four-wheel power
anti-lock disc brakes which adjust automatically
through everyday use.
*
[DR16500(ALL)05/95]
Some models have power front disc brakes and
rear drum brakes which automatically adjust as
the brake pads and linings wear down.
*
[DR16700(ALL)05/95]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes,
apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
*
[DR16800(ALL)05/95]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes,
extreme braking can make the wheels lock and
slide, causing you to lose control of the steering.
If the wheels lock, release the brake pedal and
repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
*
[DR16900(ALL)05/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com