wheel FORD TAURUS 1996 Owner's Manual

206
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[DR19000(ALL)06/95]
The parking brake is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
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[DR19050(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
%
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[DR19100(ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
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[DR19200(ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
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[DR19300(ALL)07/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
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[DR19400(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
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[DR19750(ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
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[DR19800(ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
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[DR19900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel
drive may provide better acceleration than
rear-wheel drive. However, this does not mean
that your vehicle can stop any faster or any
better than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.
Exercise the same caution while driving on
slippery roads with your front-wheel drive
vehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
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207
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[DR20100(ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
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[DR20200(ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
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[DR20400(ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
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[DR20500(ALL)03/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
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[DR20600(ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
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[DR20750(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
To avoid skidding and losing control on
slippery roads, do not downshift into 1
(First) when you are moving faster than
20 mph (30 km/h).
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[DR20775(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do not
use it on slippery roads. You could lose
control of your vehicle and could injure
someone.
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[DR20850(ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud
or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the
spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward
and reverse gears. While in each gear, press
lightly on the accelerator and release.
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[DR20900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
File:10fcdrt.ex
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208
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[DR21000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
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[DR21200(ALL)01/95]
High water
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[DR21300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
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[DR21400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
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[DR21500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
%
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[DR21600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
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[DR21700(ALL)01/95]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
%*
[DR21800(ALL)01/95]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left front door lock facing or on the door
latch post pillar.
File:10fcdrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:59:33 1996
ProCarManuals.com

214 %
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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.
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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
ProCarManuals.com

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
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[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
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223
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[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
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[RE05100(ALL)01/95]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
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[RE05200(ALL)01/95]
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
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[RE05300(ALL)01/95]
q
tow a trailer.
*
[RE05400(ALL)01/95]
q
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[RE05500(ALL)01/95]
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
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[RE05600(ALL)01/95]
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
*
[RE05700(ALL)01/95]
q
drive through an automatic car wash with
this tire. Because the temporary spare tire is
smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces
the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get
caught in the rails and it could be damaged.
% [RE05800(ALL)11/94]
The Conventional Spare Tire (If equipped)
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[RE05900(ALL)01/95]
If you have the conventional spare tire, you can
use it as a spare or as a regular tire. This spare
tire is identical to the other tires that come with
your vehicle, although the wheel may not match.
%*
[RE06000(ALL)03/95]
Spare Tire Location
[RE06100(ALL)04/95]
In a sedan, the spare tire is stored in the trunk
under the floor carpet.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

225 [RE06300(ALL)11/94]
In the wagon, the temporary spare tire is stored
in the left side rear trim panel.
[RE06400(ALL)02/95]
one third page art:0000392-B
The temporary spare tire in the wagon
[RE06700(ALL)11/94]
To remove the cover for the temporary spare
tire in the wagon:
[RE06800(ALL)04/95]
1. Twist the three fasteners 90 degrees into a
vertical position.
[RE06900(ALL)02/95]
2. Lift the the cover to disengage the three
retainers.
[RE07000(ALL)05/94]
3. Pull the front of the cover out slightly and
remove the cover by sliding it toward the
front of the vehicle.
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[RE07100(ALL)01/89]
4. Lift out the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench.
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[RE07400(ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
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[RE07500(ALL)05/94]
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack
properly placed at the front or rear jacking
points.
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[RE07600(ALL)03/95]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

226 [RE07700(ALL)07/95]When one of the front wheels is off the ground,
the transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle
from moving or slipping off the jack, even if the
vehicle is in P (Park). To prevent the vehicle
from moving when you change a tire, block (in
both directions) the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the tire being changed.
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[RE08400(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
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[RE08800(ALL)03/95]
2. Get out the spare tire and jack.
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[RE08850(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
% [RE08900(ALL)02/93]
3. Remove wheel covers or aluminum wheel
ornaments with the tapered end of a wheel
nut wrench. Insert the handle of the wrench
between the wheel and ornament and twist
it against the inner wheel cover flange.
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[RE09200(ALL)09/95]
4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise, but do not remove them
until the tire is raised off the ground. You
should pull up on the handle rather than
push to develop maximum force to loosen
wheel lug nuts. SeeAnti-Theft Wheel Lug
Nutslater in this chapter for information on
removing anti-theft lug nuts.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

227 %
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[RE09250(ALL)05/95]
Removing and Replacing the Tire
%*
[RE09300(ALL)11/94]
1. Find the jack notch next to the door of the
tire that you are changing. Put the jack in
the jack notch and turn the handle of the
jack clockwise until the wheel is completely
off the ground.
*
[RE09500(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
To lessen the risk of personal injury, do
not put any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start
the engine when your vehicle is on the
jack. The jack is only meant for changing
the tire.
[RE10000(ALL)02/95]
half page art:0000394-C
The notches for the jack
% [RE12000(ALL)11/94]
2. Remove the lug nuts by using a lug wrench.
Never loosen the hub nuts. See the picture
later in this section if you are not sure where
to find the lug nuts.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
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228
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[RE12002(ALL)08/95]
Your vehicle has metric (12 mm) wheel studs
and lug nuts. During wheel removal and
replacement, make certain that you use the same
lug nuts to reinstall the wheel or replace them
with nuts of the same metric size and threading.
*
[RE12005(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
Installation of an English thread nut on a
metric stud (or vice-versa) will not
properly secure the wheel to the hub.
Damaged studs may result in wheel
separation and possible injury.
*
[RE12100(ALL)01/95]
3. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire,
making sure that the air valve stem is facing
outward.
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[RE12200(ALL)03/95]
4. Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening until the
wheel is snug against the hub. The beveled
edges on the lug nuts face inward. Do not
fully tighten the lug nuts until you lower the
vehicle. If you do, you could force the
vehicle off the jack.
*
[RE12300(ALL)01/95]
5. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
*
[RE12400(ALL)01/95]
6. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug
nuts in the order shown in the following
illustration. As soon as possible, have your
dealer or a qualified service technician check
the lug nuts for proper torque specifications.
File:12fcret.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 16:01:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com