light FORD TAURUS 1996 Owners Manual

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[PI00560(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information .............................1
Safety Restraints ............................................9
Starting Your Taurus ..................................59
Warning Lights and Gauges .....................71
Instrument Panel Controls ........................91
Steering Column Controls ......................115
Features ........................................................125
Electronic Sound Systems .......................169
Driving Your Taurus ................................191
Roadside Emergencies ..............................217
Customer Assistance .................................237
Reporting Safety Defects .........................244
Accessories ..................................................249
Servicing Your Taurus .............................255
Quick Index ................................................341
Index .............................................................357
Service Station Information ....................380
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6
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[IN06900(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Outside of Your
Vehicle
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[IN07001(ALL)07/95]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage
the paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your
vehicle as often as necessary to keep it clean.
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[IN07101(ALL)07/95]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is
exposed to chemical industrial fallout.
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[IN07201(ALL)07/95]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not
related to a defect in paint materials or
workmanship and therefore is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual
improvement in customer satisfaction is a high
priority. For this reason, Ford has authorized its
dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by
environmental fallout within 12 months or 12,000
miles (20,000 km) of purchase, whichever comes
first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford
representative.
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[IN07301(ALL)04/95]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
[IN07401(ALL)03/95]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the
underside, with a cleaner made for washing cars.
If your vehicle has clear-coat, make sure that the
cleaner is recommended for clear-coat.
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[IN07501(ALL)06/95]
DO NOT:
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[IN07601(ALL)04/95]
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Wash your vehicle with hot water
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[IN07701(ALL)04/95]
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Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct
sunlight
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[IN07801(ALL)04/95]
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Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
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[IN07901(ALL)04/95]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits
and protect the finish.
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Update:Mon Jan 22 15:41:04 1996
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9
Safety Restraints
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[SR00500(ALL)04/95]
Important Safety Belt Information
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[SR00600(ALL)03/95]
The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and
your passengers in case of a collision. In most
states and in Canada the law requires their use.
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[SR00700(ALL)08/95]
Safety belts provide best restraint when:
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[SR00800(ALL)08/95]
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the seatback is upright
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[SR00900(ALL)08/95]
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the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)
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[SR01000(ALL)08/95]
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the lap belt is snug and low on the hips
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[SR01100(ALL)08/95]
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the shoulder belt is snug against the chest
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[SR01200(ALL)08/95]
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the knees are straight forward
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[SR02200(ALL)07/95]
To help you remember to fasten your safety belt,
a warning light may come on and a chime may
sound. SeeSafety Belt Warning Light and Chimein
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
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[SR02300(ALL)07/95]
See the following sections in this chapter for
directions on how to properly use these safety
belts. Also seeSafety Restraints for Childrenin this
chapter for special instructions about using
safety belts for children.
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27 %
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[SR16500(ALL)01/95]
How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System Operates
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[SR16600(ALL)06/95]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
consists of the driver and passenger air bags,
impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, a
readiness light and tone, and the electrical
wiring which connects the components.
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[SR16750(ALL)06/95]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering
wheel. The front passenger seat air bag is
located in the center of the instrument panel
ledge above the glove compartment. Both air
bags are designed to stay out of sight until they
are activated.
[SR16775(ALL)11/94]
half page art:0001373-A
The location of air bags and warning labels
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[SR18400(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG
WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND
MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If
the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired
area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
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[SR18425(ALL)07/95]
To ensure that the air bag system will operate as
intended in a crash, the system is equipped with
a diagnostic module, which controls a readiness
lamp and a warning tone. The diagnostic
module monitors its own circuits, the air bag
electrical system, the air bag readiness light, the
air bag power, and the air bag inflators.
%*
[SR18450(ALL)05/95]
The air bag system uses a readiness light on the
instrument cluster and a tone to indicate the
condition of the system. When you turn the
ignition key to the ON position, this light will
illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and
then turn off. This indicates that the system is
operating normally. NOTE: Maintenance of the
air bag system is not required.
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[SR18475(ALL)06/95]
A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
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[SR18501(ALL)06/95]
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the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
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[SR18525(ALL)06/95]
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or it will not light immediately after ignition
is turned on,
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[SR18550(ALL)06/95]
q
or a group of five beeps will be heard. The
tone pattern will repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
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[SR18575(ALL)08/95]
If any of these things happen, have the air bag
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the air bag
Supplemental Restraint System may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
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60
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[ST04350(ALL)05/95]
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. The key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
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[ST04375(ALL)03/95]
START cranks the engine. Release the key once
the engine starts so that you do not damage the
starter. The key should return to ON when you
release it. The START position also allows you
to test the brake warning light.
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[ST04500(ALL)02/95]
Removing the Key From the Ignition
[ST06000(ALL)02/95]
Procedures for removing the key from the
ignition will be the same for both the column-
and console-mounted gearshifts.
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[ST06300(ALL)06/95]
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
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[ST06400(ALL)01/95]
2. Set the parking brake fully.
[ST06500(ALL)11/94]
3. Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.
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[ST06600(ALL)03/95]
4. Remove the key.
[ST07310(ALL)05/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate
the steering wheel slightly because it may be
binding.
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[ST07520(ALL)05/95]
If the driver's door is open while the key is still
in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.
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[ST07525(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
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61
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[ST07575(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets alone in your vehicle. They could
accidentally injure themselves or others
through inadvertent operation of the
vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days,
temperatures in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to cause
severe and possibly fatal injuries to
people as well as animals.
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[ST08200(ALL)03/95]
Starting Your Vehicle
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[ST08300(ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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[ST08350(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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[ST08400(ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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[ST08500(ALL)08/95]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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[ST08600(ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure your headlamps and other
accessories are turned off and the parking
brake is set.
[ST08850(ALL)11/94]
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
before you turn the key.
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[ST09150(ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
File:04fcstt.ex
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62 %
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[ST09310(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
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[ST09320(ALL)06/95]
To start your engine:
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[ST09330(ALL)05/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
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[ST09340(ALL)03/95]
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
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[ST09350(ALL)06/95]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
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[ST09360(ALL)02/95]
4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
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[ST09370(ALL)02/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
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[ST09375(ALL)04/95]
For a cold engine:
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[ST09381(ALL)06/95]
q
At temperatures10ÊF (-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you
do not flood the engine, then try again.
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[ST09385(ALL)04/95]
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
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[ST09387(ALL)05/95]
For a warm engine:
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[ST09390(ALL)04/95]
q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If
the engine does not start within five (5)
seconds on the first try, turn the key to the
OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
File:04fcstt.ex
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63
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[ST09400(ALL)08/95]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
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[ST09410(ALL)05/95]
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.
[ST09420(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transaxle and has an
interlock that prevents you from
shifting out of P (Park) unless your
foot is on the brake pedal.
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[ST09480(ALL)04/95]
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
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[ST09492(ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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[ST09494(ALL)04/95]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
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[ST09496(ALL)04/95]
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
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[ST09497(ALL)04/95]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
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[ST09498(ALL)04/95]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
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[ST09500(ALL)04/95]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been triggered. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchlater in this chapter.
[ST10200(ALL)12/95]
A computer system controls the engine's idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's
idle speed normally runs high. These faster
engine speeds will make your vehicle coast
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It
should, however, slow down after a short time.
If it does not, have the idle speed checked by
your dealer or a qualified technician.
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67
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[ST11900(ALL)03/95]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
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[ST11950(ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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[ST12000(ALL)03/95]
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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[ST12050(ALL)01/95]
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button on the fuel pump shut-off
switch down.
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[ST12100(ALL)03/95]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
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[ST12150(ALL)03/95]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
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[ST12200(ALL)03/95]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
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[ST12225(ALL)01/95]
Pushing
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[ST12250(ALL)09/95]
Vehicles with automatic transaxles cannot be
started by pushing. Follow the directions under
If Your Vehicle Needs a Jump-Startin theRoadside
EmergenciesChapter.
File:04fcstt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:50 1996
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