warning FORD TAURUS 1998 3.G User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: FORD, Model Year: 1998, Model line: TAURUS, Model: FORD TAURUS 1998 3.GPages: 192, PDF Size: 1.66 MB
Page 82 of 192

1. Grasp the child seat
at the top of the
seatback and pull the
top forward to release
the latch.
2. Continue to unfold
the child seat until it
rests on the seat.
3. Read all information
and warnings on the
child seat cushion and
shoulder safety belt.
Make sure the child is
not too large for the
child seat.
4. If connected, squeeze the top and the bottom of
the right half of the chest clip and pull to separate
both halves.
Seating and safety restraints
82
Page 91 of 192

an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with
loss of front braking traction.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp
in the instrument
cluster momentarily
illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine is off. If the
light does not illuminate momentarily at start up,
remains on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to
be serviced. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released. (If your
brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately).
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency
from the ABS is required, apply continuous 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 controlled
stop.
²The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce
stopping distance. Always leave enough room
between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of
you to stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with
this braking technique. However, avoid taking any
unnecessary risks.P!
BRAKE
Driving
91
Page 92 of 192

Parking brake
Apply the parking
brake whenever the
vehicle is parked. To
set the parking brake,
press the parking brake
pedal down until the
pedal stops.
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 that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park).
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
92
Page 161 of 192

exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the
catalytic converter and other emission control
components continue to work properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is
moving, especially at high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your ªService Guideº
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the
ªService Guideº are essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to its emissions
system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized
parts are used for maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine compartment
and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Lumination of the charging system warning light,
ªService Engine Soonº light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Maintenance and care
161
Page 162 of 192

Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, items, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº
light is on, refer to the description in theWarning
Lights and Chimessection of theInstrumentation
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD-II system is reset to a
ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To ready the
OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30
minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and care
162
Page 186 of 192

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........ 67
and child safety
seats ......................... 69
description .............. 67
disposal .................... 72
indicator light ......... 72
passenger air bag ... 70
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control
system . 22,23,24,25,27
Anti-theft system ...... 47
arming the system .. 47
Automatic transaxle . 94
driving
with ......... 97,98,99,100
Brakes ........................ 90
anti-lock ................... 90
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ........... 91
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 136
shift interlock .......... 94
Break-in period ........... 3
Cargo cover .......... 42,43
Cargo net .............. 41,42
Cellular telephone
(see your Cellular
Phone Guide) ............ 40
Child safety seats
attaching with tether
straps ....................... 79
in rear seat ......... 76,78
tether anchorage
hardware ................. 79
Cleaning your
vehicle ...................... 169
built-in
child seat ....... 80,81,84engine
compartment .. 170,172
exterior lamps ....... 173
plastic parts .......... 172
washing .................. 169
waxing ................... 170
wheels .................... 170
wiper blades .......... 173
Console ...................... 39
Controls
power seat ............... 56
Coolant .................... 140
checking
and adding ............ 138
refill capacities ...... 140
Defrost
rear window ............ 18
Doors
central
unlocking ............ 37,38
Emission control
system ...................... 160
Engine
coolant ................... 137
idle speed control . 144
service
points ....... 130,131,132
starting after a
collision ................. 109
Engine block heater . 88
Engine oil
checking and
adding .................... 134
dipstick .................. 133
specifications . 133,135
Exhaust fumes .......... 88
Floor mats ................. 40
Fuel
choosing the
right fuel ................ 158
detergent in fuel ... 160
Index
186
Page 187 of 192

filling your vehicle
with fuel ......... 155,156
quality .................... 159
running out of fuel 160
safety information
relating to
automotive fuels ... 155
Fuses ................. 110,111
Hazard flashers ....... 109
Head restraints ......... 55
Headlamps
high beam ............... 16
Heating ...................... 18
heating and air
conditioning
system ........... 18,19,20
Hood ........................ 129
Ignition ..................... 180
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 162
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 173
Keyless entry system
autolock ................... 52
keypad ..................... 50
locking and
unlocking doors ...... 51
programming entry
code .................... 50,51
Keys
key in ignition
chime ....................... 12
positions of the
ignition .................... 28
Lamps ...................... 163
autolamp system ..... 17
daytime running
light .......................... 16
headlamps ............... 16
headlamps, flash to
pass .......................... 17instrument panel,
dimming ................... 17
interior lamps ....... 166
replacing
bulbs ............... 163,166
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 33
Liftgate ...................... 44
remote release ........ 41
Lights, warning and
indicator
air bag ...................... 11
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) ...................... 10
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 10
charging system ...... 11
cruise indicator ....... 10
door ajar .................... 7
low coolant ................ 9
low fuel ...................... 9
oil pressure ............. 10
overdrive off .............. 9
safety belt ................. 7
service engine
soon ........................ 7,8
speed control .......... 32
turn signal indicator . 6
Locks .......................... 53
childproof ................ 39
Luggage rack ........... 108
Lumbar support,
seats ...................... 56,57
Mirrors
heated ...................... 38
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 38
Moon roof .................. 35
Motorcraft parts ...... 160
Octane rating ... 158,159
Odometer ................... 14
Overdrive .............. 95,96
Index
187
Page 188 of 192

Panic alarm feature,
remote entry
system ........................ 45
Parking brake ............ 92
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ............. 113
Power door locks ...... 37
Power steering .......... 93
fluid, checking and
adding ............. 141,142
Relays ............... 110,116
Remote entry
system ........................ 44
illuminated entry .... 45
locking/unlocking
doors ........................ 44
replacement/additional
transmitters ............. 46
replacing the
batteries .................. 46
Safety restraints ........ 63
cleaning the safety
belts .................. 66,175
extension
assembly .................. 65
for children ... 72,73,74
lap belt .................... 62
warning light and
chime ............. 11,65,66
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ... 58,59,60,61
Seats .......................... 55
child safety seats .... 75
cleaning ... 173,174,175
Servicing your
vehicle ...................... 128
Spark plugs,
specifications ........... 176
Specification chart,
lubricants ................. 179
Speed control ............ 29
Speedometer ............. 13Starting your
vehicle .............. 85,86,87
jump
starting .... 122,123,125
Steering wheel
tilting ....................... 34
Tachometer ............... 13
Tires .................. 150,152
changing ................ 119
checking the
pressure ................. 152
replacing ................ 153
rotating .................. 153
snow tires
and chains ............. 154
treadwear .............. 151
Towing
wrecker .................. 127
Transaxle
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 177
Transmission ........... 142
fluid, checking
and adding
(automatic) .......... 142,
143,144
Trip odometer ........... 15
Trunk
remote release
lever ......................... 40
Vehicle dimensions . 181
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ......... 184
Vehicle loading ........ 101
Ventilating your
vehicle ........................ 89
Warning chimes ........... 6
Washer fluid ............ 137
Wheels
anti-theft
lug nuts .......... 118,119
Windows ............... 36,37
Index
188