FORD TAURUS 1997 Manual Online

Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is
present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind
inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect
and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if
you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful
and could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service
²the sound of the exhaust system changes
²the vehicle has been damaged in a collision
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling
while the vehicle is
stopped in an open
area for long periods of
time, open the
windows at least 2.5
cm (one inch).
Adjust the heating or air conditioning (if equipped)
to bring in fresh air.
Starting
82
ProCarManuals.com

Improve vehicle
ventilation by keeping
all air inlet vents clear
of snow, leaves and
other debris.
Starting
83
ProCarManuals.com

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the ªService
Guideº for maintenance scheduling.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
The ABS operates by
detecting the onset
of wheel lock up
during brake
applications and
compensating for this
tendency. The front
wheels are prevented
from locking even
when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS warning lamp
in the instrument
cluster illuminates if an
ABS fault is detected.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Normal braking
operation is still
effective unless the
BRAKE warning lamp
is also illuminated.
Using ABS
²In an emergency, apply full force on the brake.
The ABS will be activated immediately, thus
allowing you to retain full steering control of your
vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space,
will enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the
vehicle to a quiet stop.
ABS
ABSP!
BRAKE
Driving
84
ProCarManuals.com

²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with
this braking technique. However, avoid taking any
unnecessary risks.
Parking brake
The parking brake
should be used
whenever the vehicle is
parked. Push pedal
downward to set the
parking brake.
The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument
cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated
(when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking
brake is released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your
vehicle.
The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving
vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle in an
emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will
increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will
be adversely affected.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
85
ProCarManuals.com

Pull release handle
toward you to release
parking brake. Driving
with the parking brake
on will cause the
brakes to wear out
quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
SEMI-ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL (TAURUS SHO
ONLY)
Firm shock absorber performance enhances ride and
handling during certain road conditions. The shock
absorber is returned to a softer performance when
driver or road induced motion ceases. This system is
automatic and requires no driver input.
TRANSAXLE
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved
from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park)
with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to
LOCK, then remove the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake
pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle's brake lamps may not be
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Driving
86
ProCarManuals.com

Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be
rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the
accelerator in each gear. Do not rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes, because it could damage
the vehicle.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your
vehicle.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
(column gearshift without O/D off switch)
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully
automatic operation in either
(Overdrive) or D
(Drive). Driving with the shift selector in
gives
the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions.
For manual control start in 1 (First) and then shift
manually.
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress
the brake pedal, then move gearshift out of P
(Park).
Hold the brake pedal down while you move
the gearshift lever from position to position.
If you do not hold the brake pedal down, your
vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure
someone.
Driving
87
ProCarManuals.com

Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
(column or console gearshift with O/D off
switch)
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.
If your vehicle is
equipped with a
console mounted
gearshift, you must
press the thumb button
on the side of the
gearshift to move the
gearshift from P
(Park).
Driving
88
ProCarManuals.com

Understanding gearshift positions
P (Park)
Always come to a
complete stop before
shifting into P (Park).
Make sure the gearshift
is securely latched in P
(Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevent
the front wheels from
rotating.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R
(Reverse), the vehicle
will move backward.
You should always
come to a complete
stop before shifting
into and out of R
(Reverse).
P RND21 PRNDD1
P RND21 PRNDD1
Driving
89
ProCarManuals.com

N (Neutral)
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.
(Overdrive Ð column shift without O/D OFF
switch) or D (Overdrive Ð column or console
mounted gearshift with O/D off switch)
The overdrive position
is the normal driving
position for an
automatic overdrive
transaxle. It works the
same way as D (Drive)
or D (Overdrive Ð
with the O/D OFF
switchnotdepressed)
works, but shifts to a
fourth gear Ð an
overdrive gear Ð when
your vehicle cruises at
a constant speed for any length of time. This fourth
gear will increase your fuel economy when you
travel at cruising speeds.
Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrains. If the transaxle shifts back and forth
between third and fourth gears while you are driving
hilly roads or if your vehicle requires additional
power for climbing hills, shift into D (Drive) or press
the O/D OFF switch (if equipped).
P RND21 PRNDD1
PRNDD1
P RND21
Driving
90
ProCarManuals.com

If the O/D OFF indicator light (if equipped) is
flashing on and off when the vehicle is started or
does not come on when the O/D OFF switch is
pressed, it means there is a malfunction in your
transaxle's electronic system. Contact your dealer as
soon as possible or damage to the transaxle may
occur.
When to use D (Drive) or press the O/D OFF
switch (if equipped)
D (Drive) eliminates
the needless shifting
back and forth between
third and fourth gears
that your vehicle may
do when driving on
hilly terrain. It also
gives more engine
braking than overdrive
to slow your vehicle on
downgrades.
2 (Second - if equipped)
Use 2 (Second) for
start-up on slippery
roads or to give you
more engine braking to
slow your vehicle on
downgrades.
PRNDD1
P RND21
P RND21
Driving
91
ProCarManuals.com