FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual

284
*
[SV22400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
%*
[SV22500(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
[SV22550(ALL)04/95]
RWARNING
Washer solution contains methanol which
is poisonous. Observe all warnings
indicated on label of washer solution.
% [SV22600(ALL)06/94]
Checking the washer fluid for the
liftgate (If equipped)
[SV23100(ALL)04/95]
If your wagon has a rear window wiper, check
the reservoir for its washer fluid regularly. This
is not the same reservoir that your windshield
wipers use. The opening for this reservoir is on
the right side of the liftgate opening, below the
tail lamp. Refill this reservoir with the same
solution you use for your windshield. To find
out how much washer fluid the reservoir holds,
seeRefill Capacitieslater in this chapter.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

285 %
*
[SV23200(ALL)03/95]
Wiper Blades
*
[SV23300(ALL)03/95]
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice
a year. Also check them whenever they seem
less effective than usual. Substances such as tree
sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness
of wiper blades.
*
[SV23400(ALL)09/95]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both
the windshield and the wiper blades. Use
undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do
not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents to clean your wiper blades. These will
damage your blades.
*
[SV23500(ALL)03/95]
To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply
turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn
your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to the OFF
position. Do not move the wipers manually.
Manually moving the wipers across the
windshield may damage them.
*
[SV23600(ALL)03/01]
Wiper blade replacement
*
[SV23700(ALL)09/95]
If the wiper blades still do not work properly
after you clean them, you may need to replace
the wiper blade assembly or the blade element.
When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade
refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent. To replace the blades, follow the
instructions that come with them.
[SV23705(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle uses a 24" wiper on the driver side
and a 20" wiper on the passenger side.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

286
% [SV23716(ALL)04/95]
MicronAirHAir Filter
Replacement
*
[SV23719(ALL)04/95]
In your climate control system, you may have a
filter that cleans the air before it enters the
interior of the vehicle. This filter should be
replaced at the intervals in theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet.
[SV23723(ALL)04/95]
To replace the MicronAirHair filter:
[SV23725(ALL)04/95]
1. Open the hood. Move the vacuum hose at
the rear passenger side of the engine
compartment by pulling the hose clips off
the leaf screen and removing the loose clip.
With a coin or screwdriver, turn the four
retainers on the leaf screen 90Ê and pull
them straight out. Remove the leaf screen.
[SV23730(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0001387-A
Removing the vacuum hose clips
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

287 [SV23735(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0001384-A
Removing the leaf screen
[SV23740(ALL)04/95]
2. With a wrench or socket, remove the two
screws that hold the water shield. Move the
water shield toward the center of the vehicle
until there is enough clearance to remove it.
[SV23745(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0001385-A
Removing the water shield
[SV23750(ALL)04/95]
3. Remove the old filter by sliding it forward
out of the plastic tray then towards the
center of the vehicle until there is enough
clearance to remove it.
[SV23755(ALL)04/95]
4. Install the new filter by compressing it and
sliding it into the plastic tray. Push the left
rear corner back and down to seat it in the
tray. Push the other edges of the filter down
to seat the filter completely.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

288 [SV23760(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0001386-AInstalling the new filter
[SV23765(ALL)04/95]
5. Reinstall the water shield, sliding it from the
center of the vehicle toward the fender. As
you position it over the filter, guide the
hinged flap on the left side of the shield
down between the filter and the fender.
Slide the shield toward the fender until the
holes on the shield align with the holes on
the vehicle body. Reinstall the two screws
that hold the shield in place.
[SV23770(ALL)04/95]
6. Reinstall the leaf screen. Tuck the left rear
corner of the screen under the top of the
fender, then lower the screen into position.
Reinstall the four retainers, turning them 90Ê
to lock them into place. Reinstall the vacuum
line hose clips and the one loose clip in the
notches in the leaf screen.
%
*
[SV23800(ALL)03/95]
Tires
*
[SV23900(ALL)03/95]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel
tank. If one tire looks lower than the others,
check the pressure in all of them. Always follow
these precautions:
*
[SV24200(ALL)03/95]
q
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended
pressures.
*
[SV24300(ALL)02/95]
q
Stay within the recommended load limits (see
Load limitsin the Index).
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

289
*
[SV24500(ALL)02/95]
q
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly
distributed.
*
[SV24550(ALL)10/89]
q
Drive at safe speeds.
*
[SV24700(ALL)01/95]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires
may fail or go flat.
*
[SV24800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Driving at very high speeds for extended
periods of time may result in damage to
vehicle components.
% [SV24850(ALL)04/95]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all
your vehicle's tires, including the spare. Use an
accurate tire pressure gauge. Check the tire
pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has
been driven less than 3 miles (5 km). You can
find the proper cold pressure and load limits of
recommended size tires on the Tire Pressure
Decal inside the glove compartment.
*
[SV24900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

290 % [SV24925(ALL)04/95]Consistent high-speed driving
*
[SV24930(ALL)07/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends obeying
posted speed limits.
*
[SV24950(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Driving at very high speeds for extended
periods of time may result in damage to
vehicle components.
[SV24975(ALL)02/95]
In the event of continuous operation at high
speed, the cold air pressure in all tires must be
increased by 4 p.s.i. (28 kpa) when compared to
the inflation pressure shown on the tire decal
posted in the glove compartment. Under no
circumstances should you exceed maximum tire
inflation pressure which is molded on the tire
outer side wall.
[SV25025(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle has been equipped with proper
speed rated tires to meet its speed capabilities.
For further details, consult your Tire Warranty
Booklet provided with the vehicle in the glove
compartment.
%*
[SV25100(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
[SV25200(ALL)11/94]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
[SV25300(ALL)11/94]
Rotate the tires according to the following
diagram. Do not include the spare tire as part of
your rotation. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

291 [SV25410(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0001369-A
Rotating the tires
%*
[SV25700(ALL)04/95]
Replacing the Tires
[SV25800(ALL)01/89]
We recommend that you use all-weather tires
when you replace your tires.
[SV25850( T)12/95]
SHO models must use a P225/55VR16 tire for
replacement.
*
[SV25900(ALL)05/95]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When
your tire shows a wear band, it has only 1/16
inch (2 mm) of tread left.
[SV26150(ALL)05/94]
quarter page art:0001318-A
A worn-out tire
*
[SV26175(ALL)01/95]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly,
you may need to replace them before a wear
band appears across the entire tread. Some spots
wear more heavily than others.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

292
*
[SV26300(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix
radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use
only the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires
are the same size, speed rating, and
load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on the decal.
If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and
safely.
*
[SV26400(ALL)01/95]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
%*
[SV27400(ALL)02/95]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[SV27500(ALL)01/95]
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.
*
[SV27550(ALL)01/95]
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).
*
[SV27600(ALL)01/95]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire
quality grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly
as the government has written it.
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com

293 %
*
[SV27799(ALL)01/95]
Treadwear
*
[SV27800(ALL)01/95]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
*
[SV27999(ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
*
[SV28000(ALL)01/95]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
*
[SV28299(ALL)01/95]
Temperature A B C
*
[SV28300(ALL)01/95]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
File:15fcsvt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 13:58:51 1996
ProCarManuals.com