check oil FORD TAURUS 2004 4.G User Guide

•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
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 L/100 km (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:
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
200

ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Lock cylinders Penetrating and
Lock LubricantMotorcraft XL-1 none
Automatic
transaxle (AX4S
and 4F50N
1)Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FXT-5-QM
MERCONV
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)WSS-M2C153-H
and API
Certification
Mark
Constant
velocity jointsCV Joint Grease
(High Temp.)XG-5 WSS-M2C258–A1
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7–A WSS
-M97B51–A1
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcrarft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being added is of the
correct type. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCONand MERCONV. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
223

Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............172
instrument panel ....................174
interior .....................................174
interior trim ............................175
plastic parts ............................173
washing ....................................171
waxing .....................................171
wheels ......................................172
wiper blades ............................174
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............25
Clock adjust
AM/FM Stereo ...........................15
AM/FM/CD .................................19
AM/FM/Tape ..............................19
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................56
Console ........................................52
Controls
power seat .................................83
Coolant
checking and adding ..............187
refill capacities ................190, 221
specifications ..................222, 224
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................49
Customer Assistance ................142
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................176
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................164
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................168
Getting roadside assistance ...142
Getting the service you
need .........................................162
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................169The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................164
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................167
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................29
Defrost
rear window ..............................28
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................204
engine oil .................................182
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........222
Driving under special
conditions ..................................134
through water .........................134
E
Electronic message center .........53
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................156
Emergency Flashers .................143
Emission control system ..........200
Engine ........................................224
cleaning ...................................172
coolant .....................................187
idle speed control ...................185
lubrication
specifications ..................222, 224
refill capacities ........................221
service points ..................179–180
starting after a collision .........143
Engine block heater .................126
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
233

Engine oil ..................................182
checking and adding ..............182
dipstick ....................................182
filter, specifications ........184, 220
recommendations ...................184
refill capacities ........................221
specifications ..................222, 224
Exhaust fumes ..........................126
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....191
Floor mats ...................................63
Fluid capacities .........................221
Fuel ............................................191
calculating fuel
economy ............................55, 197
cap ...........................................194
capacity ...................................221
choosing the right fuel ...........195
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................200
detergent in fuel .....................197
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................191, 194, 197
filter, specifications ........197, 220
fuel pump shut-off switch .....143
improving fuel economy ........197
octane rating ...................195, 224
quality ......................................196
running out of fuel .................197
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................191
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................191, 195
Fuses ..................................145–146
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............194Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................197
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers .........................143
Headlamps ...................................29
aiming ........................................30
autolamp system .......................29
bulb specifications ....................34
daytime running lights .............29
flash to pass ..............................30
high beam .................................30
replacing bulbs .........................35
turning on and off ....................29
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................24–25
Hood ..........................................178
I
Ignition ...............................122, 224
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................113
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................202
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................174
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................30
J
Jack ............................................151
positioning ...............................151
storage .....................................151
Jump-starting your vehicle ......156
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
234

K
Keyless entry system .................74
Keys
positions of the ignition .........122
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................34
daytime running light ...............29
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....30
interior lamps .....................32–34
replacing
bulbs ..................33, 35, 37–40, 42
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Liftgate ........................................63
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........127
Load limits .................................134
Locks
childproof ..................................68
doors ..........................................67
Lubricant specifications ...222, 224
Lumbar support, seats ...............82
M
Message center .....................53–54
english/metric button ...............58
system check button ................59
warning messages .....................59
Mirrors ...................................46–47automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................47
heated ........................................48
side view mirrors (power) .......48
Moon roof ....................................52
Motorcraft parts ................197, 220
O
Octane rating ............................195
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................182
Overdrive ...................................131
P
Parking brake ............................128
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....220
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................86
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................49
Power adjustable foot pedals .....49
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................149
Power door locks ........................67
Power point .................................46
Power steering ..........................129
fluid, checking and adding ....203
fluid, refill capacity ................221
fluid, specifications .........222, 224
Power Windows ...........................47
R
Radio ................................15–16, 19
Rear window defroster ...............28
Relays ........................................151
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
235