check engine FORD TAURUS 1996 Owner's Guide

298 %
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[SV29400(ALL)01/95]
Adding Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV29410(ALL)01/95]
Before adding any fluid, be sure that the correct
type will be used. Correct type is shown on the
dipstick.
[SV29415(ALL)04/93]
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (.25L) increments through
the filler tube to bring the level within the
crosshatched area on the dipstick. If the level is
above the top hole on the dipstick, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified technician.
%*
[SV29425(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
%
*
[SV30200(ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
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[SV30300(ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
%*
[SV30400(ALL)06/93]
You should check the brake fluid at every
scheduled engine oil change, but be sure to
check it at least once a year. You can do this by
looking at the fluid level in the plastic reservoir
on the master cylinder. (SeeThe Engine Typesin
this chapter to locate the master cylinder.) The
fluid level should be at or near the MAX mark.
*
[SV30450(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
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300 [SV31140(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0000672-BThe brake fluid reservoir
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[SV31200(ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
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[SV31300(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV31400(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
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[SV31500(ALL)02/95]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
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[SV31600(ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[SV31700(ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
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301 [SV31800(ALL)04/95]
3.0L Vulcan engine:
%*
[SV31900(ALL)03/94]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
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[SV32100(ALL)07/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
[SV32150(ALL)02/95]
half page art:0000311-C
Dipstick for power steering fluid (3.0L Vulcan)
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[SV32175(ALL)03/95]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
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325
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[SV42300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on
for more than five seconds after you shut it off
or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[SV42400(ALL)05/95]
Information about your vehicle's emission
control system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement
and gives some tune-up specifications.
%*
[SV42405(ALL)07/95]
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
Testing
*
[SV42410(ALL)07/95]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies a
ªneed for additional mixed city and highway
driving to complete the checkº of the OBD II
system. As soon as all of the OBD II system
checks are successfully completed, the OBD II
system is set to the ready condition. The amount
of driving required to reach the ready condition
varies with individual driving patterns. To
complete this requirement in the minimum
amount of time, refer to the OBD II Drive Cycle
defined below. If the vehicle owner cannot or
does not want to do the additional driving
required by law, a service center can perform
this drive cycle as it would any other type of
repair work.
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362 Index
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 276
drain and flush............ 280
preparing for storage......... 333
refill capacities............ 328
specifications............. 330
temperature gauge........... 82
Cooling fan............... 256
Cruise control............. 120
Cupholder(s).............. 156
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.) . . 239
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........239, 245
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)...... 91
Daytime running light system...... 107
Defects, reporting............ 244
Defrost
rear window and side view mirrors. . . 104
windshield............ 95,103
Dipstick
automatic transaxle fluid........ 296
engine oil.............. 273
power steering fluid.......... 300
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 233
Dispute Settlement Board........ 240
Doors................. 125
childproof locks............ 125
door ajar warning light......... 77
lubricant specifications......... 330
Driving under special conditions
bad weather............. 206
heavy load.............. 208
high speed.............. 290
high water.............. 208
slippery roads............ 206
tips for safe driving.......... 206
towing a trailer............ 211
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Index 363
E
Electrical system
fuses................ 303
operating when the engine is off..... 59
relays................ 303
Electronic sound system
radio reception............ 177
tuning the radio........... 173
warranty and service information . . . 190
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 172
Electronic stereo radio (see Electronic sound
system)............... 172
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 237
battery acid spills........... 217
fuel................. 268
jump-starting............. 217
towing................ 233
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 205
Emission control system
catalytic converter.......... 323
emissions warranty......... 4,323
Engine
does not start........... 63,65
fuel pump shut-off switch........ 65
preparing to start............ 61
refill capacities............ 328
service points............ 260
starting................ 62
starting after a collision......... 65
storing your vehicle.......... 332
Engine block heater............ 64
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 276
checking hoses............ 277
disposal............... 280
drain and flush............ 280
preparing for storage......... 333
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364 Index
Engine coolant (continued)
proper solution............ 278
recovery reservoir........... 277
refill capacities............ 328
specifications............. 330
temperature gauge........... 82
Engine coolant temperature gauge..... 82
Engine fan............... 256
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter....... 275
checking and adding......... 273
dipstick............... 274
disposal............... 275
engine oil pressure warning light..... 75
filter, specifications.......... 329
refill capacities............ 328
specifications............. 330
synthetic oil............. 273
ªbreak-inº oils............. 5
viscosity............... 273
Entry system, keyless.......... 128
Exhaust fumes.............. 68
Extended Service Plan, Ford........ 4
F
Fan, engine fan, avoiding injury..... 256
Flashers, hazard............. 118
Flashing the lights............ 116
Flat tire................. 222
Floor mats............... 152
Fluid refill capacities........... 328
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366 Index
Fuses
checking and replacing........ 311
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap).......... 264
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)..... 270
Gasoline (see Fuel)............ 264
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature gauge.... 82
fuel gauge............... 82
odometer................ 84
speedometer.............. 84
tachometer............... 84
trip odometer.............. 84
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 209
definition............... 208
driving with a heavy load....... 208
location............... 208
Gearshift
automatic operation........192, 195
column-mounted........... 197
console-mounted........... 198
locking the gearshift........... 59
positions.............192, 195
shifting the gears.........192, 195
shift-lock.............192, 196
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 209
definition............... 208
driving with a heavy load....... 208
location............... 208
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Index 371
O
Octane rating.............. 266
Odometer
description............... 84
trip odometer............. 84
Oil filter................ 329
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 272
Oil viscosity.............. 273
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 325
Overdrive.............194, 199
Overseas offices............. 247
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system............. 135
Parking brake
operation.............. 205
warning light.............. 73
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)....... 329
PCV valve, specifications........ 329
Phone, cellular............. 158
Power distribution box (see Fuses).... 308
Power door locks............ 126
Power features
door locks.............. 126
lumbar support............ 149
mirrors............... 153
moon roof.............. 144
seats................. 148
windows............... 142
Power steering
dipstick............... 301
driving with power steering...... 201
fluid, checking and adding...... 300
fluid, refill capacity.......... 328
fluid, specifications.......... 330
servicing............... 201
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376 Index
Towing your vehicle........... 233
using wheel dollies.......... 233
with a tow truck........... 233
Trailer towing.............. 211
calculating maximum trailer weight . . . 209
safety chains............. 214
tips................. 216
trailer brakes............. 215
trailer lamps............. 215
Transaxle
automatic operation........192, 195
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)............. 296
fluid, refill capacities......... 328
lubricant specifications......... 330
Trip odometer............... 84
Tune-up specifications (VECI)....... 325
Turn signal
indicator lights............. 81
lever................. 115
U
Used engine oil, disposal......... 275
V
Vanity mirror.............. 155
Variable interval wipers......... 117
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information)
decal................. 325
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 240
Vehicle loading
automatic transaxles.......... 209
calculating the load.......... 209
understanding loading information . . . 208
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