FORD TAURUS 1998 3.G Owners Manual

4. Put the jack in the
jack notch next to the
door of the tire you are
changing. Turn the jack
handle clockwise until
the wheel is completely
off the ground.
5. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
6. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making
sure the valve stem is facing outward. Reinstall lug
nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub. Do not
fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been
lowered.
7. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
8. Remove the jack and
fully tighten the lug
nuts in the order
shown.
9. Return the flat tire,
jack and lug wrench to
their proper storage
locations. Make sure
the jack is fastened so
it does not rattle when
you drive.
10. Unblock the
wheels.
1
4 3
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121

JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes.
An explosion could result in injury or vehicle
damage.
Do not push start your vehicle. You could
damage the catalytic converter.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
Preparing your vehicle
1.Use only a 12±volt supply to start your
vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle as this could damage the vehicle's electrical
system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the
disabled vehicle making sure the two vehiclesdo
nottouch. Set the parking brake on both vehicles
and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other
moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the battery
cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect
any electrical surges. Turn all other accessories off.
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122

Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) booster cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used
to designate the assisting (boosting) battery.
2. Connect the other end of the positive (+) cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the assisting battery.
3. Connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the assisting battery.
+–+–
+–+–
+–+–
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123

4. Make the final connection of the negative (-)
cable to an exposed metal part of the stalled
vehicle's engine, away from the battery and the
carburetor.
The preferred locations of an exposed metal part (to
groundthe circuit) are the alternator mounting
brackets or an engine liftingeye.Do notuse fuel
lines, engine rocker covers or the intake manifold as
groundingpoints.
Do not connect the end of the second cable
to the negative (-) terminal of the battery to
be jumped. A spark may cause an explosion of the
gases that surround the battery.
5. Be sure that the cables are clear of fan blades,
belts and other moving parts of both engines.
+–+–
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124

Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run
the engine at moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run
both engines for a further three minutes before
disconnecting the jumper cables.
Removing the jumper cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order
that they were connected.
1. Remove the jumper cable from thegroundmetal
surface.
2. Remove the jumper cable on the negative (-)
connection of the booster vehicle's battery.
+–+–
+–+–
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125

3. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+)
terminal of the booster vehicle's battery.
4. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+)
terminal of the disabled vehicle's battery.
After the disabled vehicle has been started and the
jumper cables removed, allow it to idle for several
minutes so the engine computer canrelearnits idle
conditions.
+–+–
+–+–
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126

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a
professional towing service or, if you are a member,
your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a
wheel lift or flatbed equipment.
A towing manual is available from Ford Motor
Company for all authorized tow truck operators.
Have your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your
vehicle.
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127

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine
compartment for easy location.
²We provide a ªService Guideº which makes
tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your
dealership can provide necessary parts and service.
Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out which parts
and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and
service parts conforming to specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR
VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing
your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, avoid wearing loose
clothing, jewelry or long hair that could get
caught up in moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running
in an enclosed space, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit
material away from the battery and all fuel related
parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained in theBatterysection in
this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake, and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in park.
Maintenance and care
128

2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle,
pull the hood release
handle located under
the bottom of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of
the vehicle and release
the auxiliary latch that
is located under the
front center of the
hood.
3. Lift the hood until
the lift cylinders hold it open.
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129

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
3.0L V6 Vulcan engine
1. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Air filter assembly
4. Battery
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
12
3
4567
8
9
Maintenance and care
130