brakes FORD TAURUS 2007 4.G User Guide

If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
Your automatic overdrive transaxle
provides fully automatic operation in
either
(Overdrive) or D (Drive).
Driving with the gearshift lever
in
(Overdrive) gives the best
fuel economy for normal driving
conditions. For manual control, start
in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
console-mounted gearshift lever, you
must press the thumb button on the
side of the gearshift lever to move
the gearshift lever from P (Park).
To put your vehicle in gear, start the
engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move the gearshift lever out of
P (Park).
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
153

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If necessary, try turning the Traction Control
system off. This will allow
the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck vehicle. For more
information, refer toTraction Control
(if equipped)in this chapter.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
156

4. Check the fluid level on the
dipstick. It should be between the
arrows in the FULL HOT range. Do
not add fluid if the level is within
this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL HOT range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the “MAX” line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your authorized dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume
fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not
working properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
F
U
L
L




H
O
T
MAX
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
216

A
Accessory delay ..........................44
Air cleaner filter .......................218
Air conditioning ..........................25
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ............................97–98, 106
and child safety seats ..............99
description ........................98, 106
disposal ....................................107
driver airbag ..............98, 100, 106
indicator light .........................105
operation ...................98, 100, 106
passenger airbag .......98, 100, 106
side airbag ...............................106
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................200
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................149
Anti-theft system ..................72, 75
arming the system ....................75
disarming a triggered system ..76
triggering ...................................76
Audio system (see Radio) ...15, 18
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................216
fluid, checking ........................216
fluid, refill capacities ..............220
fluid, specification ..................220
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................154
Auxiliary power point .................42
B
Battery .......................................198
acid, treating emergencies .....198
jumping a disabled battery ....172maintenance-free ....................198
replacement, specifications ...218
servicing ..................................198
BeltMinder ...................................92
Brakes ........................................148
anti-lock ...................................149
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................149
fluid, checking and adding ....216
fluid, refill capacities ..............220
fluid, specifications .................220
lubricant specifications ..........220
parking ....................................150
shift interlock ..........................152
Bulbs ............................................34
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....220
CD changer .................................20
CD-single premium ...............15, 18
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................166
Child safety restraints ..............108
child safety belts ....................108
Child safety seats ......................112
attaching with tether straps ..116
in front seat ............................113
in rear seat ......................113, 116
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............186
instrument panel ....................188
interior .....................................188
interior trim ............................188
plastic parts ............................187
washing ....................................185
waxing .....................................185
wheels ......................................186
wiper blades ............................187
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
227

headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....30
interior lamps ...............32–33, 35
replacing bulbs .........................35
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........149
Load limits .................................134
Locks
childproof ..................................64
doors ..........................................63
Lubricant specifications ...........220
Lug nuts ....................................171
Lumbar support, seats ...............78
M
Message center ...........................53
english/metric button ...............58
system check button ................58
warning messages .....................59
Mirrors .........................................45
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................44
heated ........................................45
side view mirrors (power) .......45
Moon roof ....................................48
Motorcraft parts ........190, 209, 218
O
Octane rating ............................208
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................195
Overdrive ...................................153
P
Parking brake ............................150Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....218
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................83
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................164
Power door locks ........................63
Power mirrors .............................45
Power point .................................42
Power steering ..........................151
fluid, checking and adding ....215
fluid, refill capacity ................220
fluid, specifications .................220
Power Windows ...........................43
R
Radio ......................................15, 18
Rear window defroster ...............27
Relays ................................160, 166
Remote entry system .................66
illuminated entry ......................69
locking/unlocking doors .....66–67
opening the trunk .....................67
panic alarm ...............................67
replacing the batteries .............67
Roadside assistance ..................157
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............91
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................81, 85–89
Safety defects, reporting ..........184
Safety restraints ..............81, 85–89
belt minder ...............................92
extension assembly ..................90
for adults .............................86–88
2007 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
230