service 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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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
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lamp will illuminate. The ignition must be turned on
for this lamp to illuminate.
Low coolant (if equipped)
This lamp will
illuminate when the
engine coolant inside
the reservoir is low.
This lamp will come on
when the ignition is first turned on, but then should
turn off. If the lamp stays on and a chime sounds,
you should check the coolant level inside the
reservoir. For instructions on adding coolant, see
Engine coolantin the index.
Anti-theft alarm light (if equipped)
This light is used when
you set the anti-theft
alarm system. See
Anti-theft systemin
the index.
O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the
transaxle control
switch (TCS) has been
pushed. When the light
is on, the transaxle does not shift into overdrive. If
the light does not come on when the TCS is
depressed or if the light flashes when you are
driving, have your vehicle serviced.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. If the
light stays on or continues to flash, the ABS needs
to be serviced.
LOW
COOLANT
THEFT
O/D
OFF
ABS
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Cruise control (if equipped)
This light comes on
when the cruise control
ON button is pressed.
It turns off when the
cruise control OFF
button is pressed or when the ignition is turned to
the OFF position.
Brake system warning
Extinguishes when the
parking brake is
released. Illumination
after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake fluid level.
Engine oil pressure
When the oil pressure
is below the normal
operating range, this
lamp will illuminate.
The engine oil level being too high or too low could
cause this lamp to illuminate. This lamp will come
on when the ignition is first turned on but then
should turn off. If the lamp stays on, continued
operation will cause severe engine damage.
Charging system
Briefly illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. The light
also illuminates when the battery is not charging
properly, requiring electrical system service.
Air bag readiness
Briefly illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. If the
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light fails to illuminate, continue to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced immediately.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps are on, the ignition is
off (and the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver's door is opened.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the
OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver's door is
opened.
Low coolant chime
Sounds when the engine coolant in the coolant
reservoir is low.
Safety belt warning chime
For information on the safety belt warning chime,
refer to theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning
chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to
theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Instrumentation
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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.
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Seating and safety restraints
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Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify
the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
or its fuses. See your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer.
CHILDREN AND AIR BAGS
For additional important safety information, read all
information on safety restraints in this guide.
Children should always wear their safety belts.
Failure to follow these instructions may increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
Rear-facing
child seats or
infant carriers should
never be placed in
the front seats.
HOW DOES THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM WORK?
The SRS is designed to
activate when the
vehicle sustains
sufficient longitudinal
deceleration, similar to
hitting a fixed barrier
head on at 12±24 km/h
(8±14 mph).
The fact that the air
bags did not inflate in
a collision does not
mean that something is
Seating and safety restraints
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²and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal
circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the impact sensors), the
system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the
air bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
DETERMINING IF THE SYSTEM IS
OPERATIONAL
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument
cluster or a tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag readinesssection in
theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance
of the air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or
more of the following:
²The readiness light
will either flash or
stay lit.
²The readiness light
will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
²A group of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the problem
and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently,
have the SRS serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately. Unless serviced,
the system may not function properly in the event of
a collision.
DISPOSAL OF AIR BAGS AND AIR BAG
EQUIPPED VEHICLES
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles,
see your local dealership or qualified technician. Air
bags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.
Seating and safety restraints
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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.
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