fuel FORD TAURUS 1997 Owners Manual

* if equipped
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Fuel gauge
(pg. 13)
Headlamp control
(pg. 14)Engine coolant
temperature gauge
(pg. 12)
Speedometer
(pg. 11)Tachometer
(pg. 12)
Driver
air bag
(pg. 64)Cruise
control
(pg. 23)
Turn signal/wiper
washer control
(pg. 26) Parking brake
release
(pg. 85) Remote
trunk release
(pg. 37)
Instrumentation
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WARNING LIGHTS AND GAUGES
Standard instrument cluster
Optional Instrument cluster
SHO cluster (if equipped)
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Instrumentation
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Turn signal
Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal
or the hazard lights are
turned on.
High beams
Illuminates when the
headlamp high beams
are on.
Safety belt
Illuminates when the
ignition is switched on
to remind you to fasten
your safety belts. For
more information, refer toUsing the safety
restraints properlyin theSeating and safety
restraintschapter.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the
ignition switch is in the
ON or START position
and any door is open.
Service engine soon
This light illuminates
when the engine's
Emission Control
System requires
service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is in the ON
position and the engine is off.
Low fuel
If the fuel gauge
reaches approximately
1/16th of a tank, this
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
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Tachometer
Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions
per minute.
(Optional cluster and
Taurus SHO cluster)
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the
temperature of the
engine coolant. At
normal operating
temperature, the
needle remains within
the normal area. If it
enters the red section,
the engine is
overheating. Switch off the ignition and let it cool.
Refer toChecking and adding engine coolantin
theMaintenance and carechapter.
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Instrumentation
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Odometer
Registers the total
kilometers (mileage) of
the vehicle.
Trip odometer
Can register the
kilometers (mileage) of
individual journeys. To
reset, depress the
control.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately
how much fuel is in
the fuel tank (when
the key is in the ON
position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly
when the vehicle is in
motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF
position while the vehicle is being refueled.
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Instrumentation
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Liftgate wiper and washer (wagon only)
The liftgate
wiper/washer control is
located under the
headlamp controls.
Press the wiper control
to activate the rear
wiper. Press control
again to turn off the
wiper.
Press the washer
control to activate rear
washer. The wiper will
come on when the
washer control is
pressed, if not already
on.
AUDIO SYSTEM
Refer to theAudio Guidefor instructions on how to
operate the audio system.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
Refer to theRoadside emergencieschapter for
instructions on how to operate the fuel pump
shut-off switch.
POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY allows
the electrical
accessories such as the
radio and
wipers/washer to
operate while the
engine is not running.
2. LOCK locks the
steering wheel and gearshift lever and allows key
removal.
1
23
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5
Controls and features
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replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a
qualified technician finds that the belts do not show
damage and continue to operate properly, they do
not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not
in use during a collision should also be inspected
and replaced if either damage or improper operation
is noted.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety
beltsin theMaintenance and Caresection.
IMPORTANT SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SRS) PRECAUTIONS
The supplemental
restraint system is
designed to:
²work with the safety
belt to protect the
driver and right front passenger
²reduce certain upper body injuries
Failure to follow these instructions will
affect the performance of the safety belts
and increase the risk of personal injury.
The right front passenger air bag is not
designed to restrain occupants in the front
seating position.
Do not place objects or mount equipment on
or near the air bag covers that may come
into contact with an inflating air bag.
BASSTREBBALFADEREWFFEJECT1234
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R-DEFTUNESEEKSCAN AM
FMMHLO
HIOFF
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MAX
A/CVENTVOL
PUSH-ONwSTFM 12
AMCBLRFEFC HFUEL DOOR>SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONLOW
COOLANTTHEFT102030405060
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Seating and safety restraints
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PREPARING TO START THE VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the spark ignition
system. This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator before or during starting. Only use
the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the
engine. For more information on starting the vehicle,
refer toStarting the vehiclein this chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled
their safety belts. For more information on safety
belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the
headlamps and vehicle
accessories are off.
²Make sure the
parking brake is set.
²Make sure the
gearshift is in P
(Park).
3. Turn the key to the ON position (without turning
the key to START.)
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Starting
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Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate
briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light
does not illuminate.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle
revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine.
CRUISE
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THEFT LOW
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OUT
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FUEL DOOR>
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RPMx1000
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Starting
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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
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