battery FORD TAURUS 2003 4.G Owner's Manual

that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, start-up
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine application.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the“level indicator”.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
Maintenance and Specifications
173

When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
Maintenance and Specifications
174

•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the“cold full”of“cold fill range”level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F).
•Boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
175

Please consult your“Warranty Guide”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 diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, 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.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
Maintenance and Specifications
191

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine3.0L FFV V6
engine3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Air filter
element
1FA-1683 FA-1683 FA-1683
Fuel filter FG-1006 FG-1006 FG-1006
Battery
(standard)BXT-36R BXT-36R BXT-36R
Battery
(optional)BXT-36R N/A N/A
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-400-S FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-228 EV-228 EV-243
Spark plugs
2AWSF-32PP3AGSF-22PP3AWSF-32F
1Do not use oil-impregnated air filter elements. Failure to use the correct
air filter element may result in severe engine damage. The customer
warranty may be voided for any damage to the engine if the correct air
filter element is not used.
2Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
3If a spark plug is to be removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in
the same cylinder. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark
plugs with the service part number suffix letter as shown on the engine
decal.
Maintenance and Specifications
199

A
Accessory delay ..........................49
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..............................94–95, 98
and child safety seats ..............96
description ..........................95, 98
disposal ....................................100
driver air bag ................95, 97, 99
indicator light ...........................98
operation .......................95, 97, 99
passenger air bag .........95, 97, 99
side air bag ................................98
Air cleaner filter .......................199
Air conditioning ..........................26
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................175
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................116–117
Anti-theft system ........................73
arming the system ....................74
disarming a triggered system ..74
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................15–16, 19
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................193
fluid, checking ........................193
fluid, refill capacities ..............200
fluid, specification ..................203
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................121
Auxiliary power point .................48
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........201
B
Battery .......................................173acid, treating emergencies .....173
jumping a disabled battery ....142
maintenance-free ....................173
replacement, specifications ...199
servicing ..................................173
BeltMinder ...................................89
Brakes ........................................116
anti-lock ...........................116–117
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................117
fluid, checking and adding ....193
fluid, refill capacities ..............200
fluid, specifications .........201, 203
lubricant specifications ..201, 203
parking ....................................117
shift interlock ..........................119
Bulbs ............................................35
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....200
Cargo area shade ........................60
Cargo cover .................................59
Cargo net .....................................59
CD changer .................................21
CD-single premium .........15–16, 19
Cell phone use ............................56
Cellular telephone (see your
Cellular Phone Guide) ................56
Certification Label ....................205
Changing a tire .........................138
Child safety restraints ..............101
child safety belts ....................101
Child safety seats ......................103
attaching with tether straps ..108
in front seat ............................104
in rear seat ......................104, 107
Index
210