tow FORD TAURUS 1999 3.G Owner's Manual

Before you have your vehicle towed:
²Release the parking brake.
²Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
²Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
²Unlock the steering wheel.
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than
56 km/h (35 mph) or for a distance greater than 80
km (50 miles), unless the drive wheels are placed on
dollies.
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the
bumper when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and cause an accident.
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
The rear crossbar can be adjusted to fit the item
being carried. The front crossbar does not move. Do
not load more than 44 kg (100 lbs.) on the luggage
rack.
To adjust cross-bar position:
1. Loosen the
thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
2. Slide the cross-bar
to the desired location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both ends of the
cross-bar.
Use adjustable tie down loops to secure the load.
Driving
123

Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and
should be replaced by qualified technicians.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease your
speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly
move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled
as such. It is smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only.
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose
control of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or
others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under any
circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load
rating listed on the Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car wash, because of
the vehicle's reduced ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it
from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate hazard flashers
and set parking brake.
Roadside emergencies
132

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. Do not tow with a
slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using
wheel lift equipment, the front wheels (drive
wheels) must be placed on a dolly to prevent
damage to the transaxle.
Ford Motor Company provides a towing manual for
all authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow
truck operator refer to this manual for proper
hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
140

blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
Changing the wiper blades
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm
away from the
windshield and lock
into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an
angle from the wiper
arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the
blade and pull the
wiper blade down
toward the windshield
to remove it from the arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the wiper arm and press
it into place until a click is heard.
INFORMATION ABOUT TIRE QUALITY GRADES
New vehicles are fitted
with tires that have
their Tire Quality
Grade (described
below) molded into the
tire's sidewall. These
Tire Quality Grades are
determined by
standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for
use on passenger cars. They do not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
Maintenance and care
160

²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel
economy (approximately 2 km/h [1 mpg] is lost
for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for
example bug deflectors, rollover/light bars,
running boards, ski/luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel
economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 12±16 km
(8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel
economy as compared to driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when
operated in the top cruise gear and with steady
pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
Maintenance and care
174

²3.4L SHO engine
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running; water in the running engine may cause
internal damage.
Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a
tar remover if necessary. Do not clean plastic parts
with thinners, solvents or petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of
your vehicle. Use glass cleaner or tar remover if
necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry
paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the
wiper blade rubber element with undiluted
windshield washer solution or a mild detergent. To
avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel,
kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could
be caused by substances on the windshield such as
tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes. Clean the outside of the
V8 32 VALVE
Maintenance and care
187

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Certification label
The National Highway
Traffic Safety
Administration
Regulations require
that a Certification
Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe
where the Certification
Label may be located.
The Certification Label
is located on the front
door latch pillar on the driver's side.
1
4
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXXTHIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
Capacities and specifications
198

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle
concern, Ford offers a complimentary roadside
assistance program. This program is separate from
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is
available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the Basic warranty period (Canada) or New
Vehicle Limited Warranty period (U.S.) of three
years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles), whichever
comes first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and
four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln
vehicles
In the United States, you may purchase additional
roadside assistance coverage beyond this period
through the Ford Auto Club by contacting your Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire
²jump-starts
²lock-out assistance
²fuel delivery
²towing to the nearest Ford of Canada or Ford
Motor Company dealership, or towing to your
selling dealership if within 56 km (35 miles). Even
non-warranty related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in the mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound towing
or repossession).
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card
and place it in your wallet for quick reference. In the
United States, this card is found in the Owner Guide
portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles
and is mailed to you if you own a Mercury or
Lincoln. In Canada, it's found in the Roadside
Assistance book in the glove compartment.
Customer assistance
200

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

Travel equipment
Console
Console armrest
Daytime running lights
Factory luggage rack
Factory luggage rack adaptors
Fog lights
Framed luggage covers
Heavy-duty battery
Neutral towing transfer case kit (Explorer 4.0L only)
Off road lights
Pickup box rails
Removable luggage rack
Removable luggage rack adapters
Retractable bed hooks and loops
Running boards
Snow traction cables
Soft luggage cover
Speed control
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitch
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch wiring adaptor
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Bed mat/bedliner tailgate covers
Bed mats
Bedliners
Car/truck covers
Cargo liners, interior
Customer assistance
211