ECU FORD TAURUS 1996 Owner's Manual

163 [FV39000(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0001471-A
The cargo cover
% [FV39200(ALL)11/94]
Luggage Rack
[FV39300(ALL)02/95]
You can move the rear luggage crossbar on top
of the vehicle to fit the item you need to carry.
The front crossbar does not move.
[FV39400(ALL)10/90]
To adjust the luggage rack:
[FV39500(ALL)02/95]
1. Load your luggage close to the front
crossbar. Do not carry more than 100 pounds
(45 kg) or cause the vehicle to exceed the
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which
is shown on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
[FV39600(ALL)02/95]
2. Loosen the adjusting levers on the rear
crossbar by pushing them toward the center
of the vehicle.
[FV39700(ALL)10/90]
3. Slide the rear crossbar forward to hold your
luggage securely in place.
[FV39800(ALL)02/95]
4. Clamp the adjusting levers again by pulling
them toward the outside of the vehicle.
[FV39825(ALL)00/95]
Make sure that the rear crossbar pins are locked
in slots by pulling forward and back on each of
the outside supports. If the crossbar slides, push
or pull until you hear it click and feel it lock
into position.
File:08fcfvt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:57:12 1996
ProCarManuals.com

164 [FV39850(ALL)02/95]5. Secure luggage or cargo with rope (up to
3/8"), NOT ELASTIC CORD, using the tie
down loops provided. There are three loops
on each outside rail and one at each end of
the cross bars.
[FV39875(ALL)02/95]
quarter page art:0001381-B
The adjusting levers for the luggage rack
[FV39900(ALL)11/94]
Leave the rear crossbar in its original back
position when you are not using it to hold
luggage to reduce aerodynamic drag and
improve fuel economy.
% [FV40000(ALL)11/94]
The Second Seats
[FV40100(ALL)11/94]
Your vehicle is equipped with split-folding
second seats. One or both second seatbacks can
be folded down to provide additional cargo
space.
[FV40200(ALL)02/95]
To lower the seatback:
[FV40300(ALL)02/95]
1. Lift the seatback release handle on the upper
outboard corner of the seatback.
[FV40400(ALL)02/95]
2. Fold the seatback forward until it rests on
the cushion.
File:08fcfvt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:57:12 1996
ProCarManuals.com

165 [FV40500(ALL)05/95]
To raise the seatback:
[FV40700(ALL)02/95]
1. Lift the seatback rearward until it is in the
upright position. Push the center of the seat
until you hear it latch.
[FV40750(ALL)05/95]
2. Make sure the seatback is locked in position
by pushing forward and backward on it.
*
[FV40775(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Securely latch the seatback in the upright
position to prevent the seatback or objects
from being thrown forward during a
sudden stop or collision.
[FV40800(ALL)11/94]
The Third Seat
[FV40900(ALL)04/95]
The third seat faces the back of the wagon. For
height and weight limits, see the label on the
seat cushion. When the seat is down, the back
part of your wagon has a flat surface for
carrying cargo.
[FV41000(ALL)03/92]
To open up the seat:
[FV41100(ALL)04/95]
1. Unlock the floor panel with the key.
[FV41200(ALL)11/94]
2. Use the handle to fold the floor panel
toward the front of the car.
File:08fcfvt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:57:12 1996
ProCarManuals.com

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

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

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

205 %
*
[DR17800(ALL)03/95]
Parking Brake
*
[DR17900(ALL)01/95]
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
[DR18000(ALL)01/95]
This brake is suspended just below the bottom
of the instrument panel to the left of the brake
pedal.
[DR18300(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0001391-A
The parking brake and parking brake release
*
[DR18420(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR18700(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
*
[DR18750(ALL)11/91]
RWARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com