ESP FORD TAURUS 1999 3.G User Guide

temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after
the vehicle has been parked for at least one hour
or has been driven less than 5 km (3 miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the Certification Label.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs,
they often wear differently. To make sure your tires
wear evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated
in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide. If you notice
that the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
Maintenance and care
162

Observe the following guidelines when handling
automotive fuel:
²Extinguish all
smoking materials
and any open flames
before fueling your
vehicle.
²Always turn off the
vehicle before
fueling.
²Automotive fuels can be harmful or fatal if
swallowed. Fuel such as gasoline is highly toxic
and if swallowed can cause death or permanent
injury. If fuel is swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be
visible for hours.
²Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel
vapor of any kind can lead to eye and respiratory
tract irritation. In severe cases, excessive or
prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause
serious illness and permanent injury.
²Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is
splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if
worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and seek
medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical
attention could lead to permanent injury.
²Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the
skin. If fuel is splashed on the skin and/or
clothing, promptly remove contaminated clothing
and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Repeated or prolonged skin contact with fuel
liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
²Be particularly careful if you are taking
ªAntabuseº or other forms of disulfiram for the
treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors, or skin contact could cause an adverse
reaction. In sensitive individuals, serious personal
injury or sickness may result. If fuel is splashed
Maintenance and care
166

EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window
sticker. Contact your dealer if the window sticker is
not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA window
sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy
comparisons with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left
corner of the window sticker. These numbers
represent the Range of Km/L (MPG) expected on
the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel
economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission
control components and a catalytic converter which
will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
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 Scheduled
Maintenance Guide performed according to the
specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide 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.
Maintenance and care
175

Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle
regularly with cold or
lukewarm water. Never
use strong detergents or
soap. If your vehicle is
particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash
detergent. Always use a
clean sponge, washing glove or similar device and
plenty of water for best results. To avoid spots, avoid
washing when the hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to
wash the vehicle on a regular basis. Large quantities
of dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas,
before entering a car wash. If you have wax applied
to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry
them.
Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This
could be every three or four months, depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth to remove
any bugs before waxing vehicle. Use tar remover to
remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have
wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
Maintenance and care
184

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specifi-
cation
Brake fluid High Per-
formance
DOT 3
Motor
Vehicle
Brake FluidC6AZ-
19542-ABESA-
M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door latch,
hood latch,
auxiliary
hood latch,
seat tracks,
trunk and
liftgate
latchesMulti-
Purpose
GreaseDOAZ-
19584-AA
or F5AZ-
19G209-AAESA-
M1C93-B
or ESR-
M1C159-A
Lock
cylindersPenetrating
and Lock
LubricantE8AE-
19A501-Bnone
Automatic
transaxle
(AX4S and
AX4N)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM
MERCONtV
Engine oil Motorcraft
5W-30
Super
Premium
Motor OilXO-
5W30-QSPWSS-
M2C153-G
and API
Certification
Mark
Constant
velocity
jointsCV Joint
Grease
(High
Temp.)E43Z-
19590-AESP-
M1C207-A
Capacities and specifications
193

To receive roadside assistance in the United States
for Ford or Mercury vehicles, call 1-800-241-3673 or
if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call 1±800±521±4140.
In Canada call 1±800±665±2006.
Should you need to arrange assistance for yourself,
Ford will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain
information about reimbursement, call
1-800-241-3673 in the United States for Ford or
Mercury vehicles; or if you own a Lincoln vehicle,
call 1±800±521±4140. Call 1±800±665±2006 in
Canada.
Ford extended service plan
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP is an optional
service contract which is backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford Motor Service Company (in the
U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in Canada). It provides:
²Protection against repair costs after your New
Vehicle Limited Warranty period expires;
and
²Other benefits during the warranty period (such
as reimbursement for rentals and towing.)
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury or Ford of Canada dealer.
There are several plans available in various time,
distance and deductible combinations which can be
tailored to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also
offers reimbursement benefits for towing and rental
coverage. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for
details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind
protection throughout the United States and Canada,
provided by a network of more than 5,200
participating Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended
Service Plan at the time of purchasing your vehicle,
Customer assistance
201

you may still be eligible. Please contact your dealer
for further information. Since this information is
subject to change, please ask your dealer for
complete details about Ford Extended Service Plan
coverage options.
Also, please be aware that some dealers offer service
contracts that are not backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford of Canada. On the surface, many
independent plans appear to be like Ford's. The
problem is that they can often require the use of
non-factory approved parts and have much more
complex and restrictive claims coverage terms than
Ford.
At Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada, we are
dedicated to providing Ford, Lincoln and Mercury
vehicle owners with programs that will enhance your
ownership experience and protect you from
unexpected repair bills. Genuine Ford ESP is the
only Extended Service Plan that enables us to
provide that service.
Getting the service you need
At home
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada have
authorized dealerships to service your vehicle. When
you need warranty repairs your selling dealer would
like you to return to it for that service, but you may
also take your vehicle to another Ford Motor
Company dealership authorized for warranty repairs.
Certain warranty repairs require special training
though, so not all dealers are authorized to perform
all warranty repairs. That means that depending on
the warranty repair needed, the vehicle may need to
be taken to another dealer. If a particular dealership
can not assist you, then contact the Customer
Assistance Center.
If you are not satisfied with the service you receive
at the dealership, speak with the service manager. If
you are still not satisfied, speak with the owner or
Customer assistance
202

Ford Motor Company
Customer Assistance Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND
CANADA
Before exporting your vehicle to a foreign country,
contact the appropriate foreign embassy or
consulate. These officials can inform you of local
vehicle registration regulations and where to find
unleaded fuel.
If you cannot find unleaded fuel or can only get fuel
with an anti-knock index lower than is
recommended for your vehicle, contact a district or
owner relations/customer assistance office.
The use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without
proper conversion may damage the effectiveness of
your emission control system and may cause engine
knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor
Company/Ford of Canada is not responsible for any
damage caused by use of improper fuel.
In the United States, using leaded fuel may also
result in difficulty importing your vehicle back into
the U.S.
If your vehicle must be serviced while you are
traveling or living in Central or South America, the
Caribbean, or the Middle East, contact the nearest
Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot help you,
write or call:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
WORLDWIDE DIRECT MARKET OPERATIONS
1555 Fairlane Drive
Fairlane Business Park #3
Allen Park, Michigan 48101
U.S.A.
Telephone: (313) 594-4857
FAX: (313) 390-0804
Customer assistance
208

²The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
and Canadian Radio Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way
radios, telephones and theft alarms - that are
equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply
with FCC or CRTC regulations and should be
installed only by a qualified service technician.
²Mobile communications systems may harm the
operation of your vehicle, particularly if they are
not properly designed for automotive use or are
not properly installed. When operated, such
systems may cause the engine to stumble or stall.
In addition, such systems may be damaged or
their performance may be affected by operating
your vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers,
garage door openers and other transmitters with
outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle's operation.)
²Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse
effects or damage that may result from the use of
such equipment.
Customer assistance
213