FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual

213
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[DR26500(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight exceeds
the limits of the vehicle and could result
in engine damage, transaxle/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and
personal injury.
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[DR26580(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary
spare tire is being used.
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[DR26600(ALL)01/95]
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should
be on the tongue. However, the tongue load
should never exceed 10% of the maximum
weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
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[DR28500(ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
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[DR28600(ALL)01/95]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
*
[DR28700(ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
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Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
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214 %
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[DR28750(ALL)01/95]
Using the hitch
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[DR28800(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle uses a load carrying hitch. Because
this type of hitch places the tongue load of a
trailer on the rear wheels of your vehicle, you
must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10 to 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on
the tongue.
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[DR28900(ALL)01/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and
change the weight on the hitch. This will
prevent damage to your vehicle and make your
vehicle easier to handle.
%*
[DR28950(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the safety chains
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[DR29000(ALL)01/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.
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[DR29100(ALL)01/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
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[DR29200(ALL)01/95]
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue
and attach them to your vehicle's frame or
hook retainers. Never attach the safety
chains to your vehicle's bumper. The bumper
is not designed to bear the weight of a
trailer.
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[DR29300(ALL)01/95]
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in
the chains to allow you to turn corners.
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[DR29400(ALL)01/95]
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
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215 %
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[DR29450(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's brakes
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[DR29500(ALL)01/95]
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or
surge-type hydraulic brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them according
to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that
your trailer's brakes meet local and federal
regulations.
*
[DR29600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances
of having a collision greatly increase.
%*
[DR29650(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
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[DR29700(ALL)01/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's lighting system
wiring.To get the proper equipment for
hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to
follow their instructions carefully.
*
[DR29800(ALL)01/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting
system.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
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216 %
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[DR29900(ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
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[DR30000(ALL)05/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the
automatic transaxle to 1 (First) (vehicles without
O/D OFF switch) or 2 (Second) (vehicles with
O/D OFF switch) when descending. This will
give more engine braking on downgrades. The
automatic transaxle will automatically downshift
to the proper gear on upgrades.
[DR30200(ALL)04/95]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, move the
gearshift to D (Drive) (column shift without
O/D OFF switch) or push the O/D OFF switch
(column or console shift). This will also give
better braking going down hills.
%*
[DR30300(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
% [DR30400(ALL)04/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle When You Tow
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[DR30500(ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
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217
Roadside Emergencies
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[RE00310(ALL)03/95]
If Your Vehicle Needs a
Jump-Start
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[RE00320(ALL)08/95]
Your vehicle's battery may die if you leave the
lights on or any electrical equipment on after
you turn the engine off. If this happens, you
may be able to jump-start your vehicle with a
booster battery.
*
[RE00400(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode
if exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
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[RE00500(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a
battery, always shield your face and eyes.
Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.
%*
[RE00700(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends
when lifting a battery could cause acid to
spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite corners.
%*
[RE00800(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
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218
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[RE00850(ALL)07/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[RE00900(ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
*
[RE01000(ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
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[RE01100(ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01200(ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
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[RE01300(ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
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[RE01400(ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
[RE01500(ALL)04/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. If
you have electronic climate control, press the
VF-DEF button. Turn off all other switches
and lights.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

219 %
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[RE01700(ALL)05/95]
Connecting the jumper cables
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[RE02500(ALL)03/95]
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you
use the same cable for both positive
terminals.) Most jumper cables have a red
cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and
the black for the negative ones.
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[RE02600(ALL)04/95]
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
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[RE02700(ALL)07/95]
3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (S) terminal of the booster battery
Ð NOT to the discharged battery.
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[RE02800(ALL)04/95]
4. Connect the other end of the second cable to
a good metallic surface on the engine or
frame of the disabled vehicle.
*
[RE02900(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect the end of the second
cable to the negative (S) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark may cause
an explosion of the gases that surround
the battery.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

220 [RE03100(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0000388-DJumper cable connections
[RE03200( T)02/95]
half page art:0000390-C
The 3.4L SHO engine
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
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221
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[RE03400(ALL)03/95]
Jump-Starting
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[RE03600(ALL)03/95]
1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in
the way of moving engine parts, then start
the booster vehicle. Run the engine at a
moderate speed.
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[RE03700(ALL)03/95]
2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle.
It may take a couple of tries before the
vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start
after several attempts, there may be a
different problem.
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[RE03800(ALL)03/95]
3. When both vehicles are running, let them
idle for a few minutes to charge the
discharged battery.
%*
[RE03900(ALL)03/95]
Removing jumper cables
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[RE04000(ALL)03/95]
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order.Remove the negative (S) end
of the jumper cable from the metallic surface
on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
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[RE04100(ALL)06/95]
2. Remove the negative (S) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[RE04200(ALL)06/95]
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the
booster battery.
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[RE04300(ALL)05/95]
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+)
cable from the discharged battery.
*
[RE04400(ALL)11/95]
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while
to let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions.
Drive it around for a while with all electrical
accessories turned off to let the battery recharge.
Driveability may be deteriorated slightly until all
drive modes are ªrelearned.ºYou may need to
use a battery charger to fully recharge the
battery.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
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222
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[RE04450(ALL)03/95]
If you need to replace your battery, seeBattery
in theServicing Your Vehiclechapter.
%
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[RE04500(ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
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[RE04600(ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
[RE04610(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Tire sealants that are injected through
the valve stem are not to be used to
service punctured tires because they
can produce wheel rust and tire
imbalance.
%*
[RE04700(ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
*
[RE04800(ALL)03/95]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare
tire. This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire
and is designed for emergency use only. Use it
only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with
the words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that
you can easily identify it.
*
[RE04900(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly
injuring yourself or others.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com