FORD TAURUS 2008 5.G Owners Manual

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
System
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a
transmission/transaxle code on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label. The following table tells you
which transmission or transaxle
each code represents.
Description Code
6F50 6–Speed Automatic Transaxle J
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
311

GENUINE FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
A wide selection of Genuine Ford Accessories are available for your
vehicle through your local Ford or Ford of Canada dealer. These quality
accessories have been specifically engineered to fulfill your automotive
needs; they are custom designed to complement the style and
aerodynamic appearance of your vehicle. In addition, each accessory is
made from high quality materials and meets or exceeds Ford’s rigorous
engineering and safety specifications. Ford Motor Company will repair or
replace any properly dealer-installed Genuine Ford Accessories found to
be defective in factory-supplied materials or workmanship during the
warranty period, as well as any component damaged by the defective
accessories. The accessories will be warranted for whichever provides
you the greatest benefit:
•12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) (whichever occurs first), or
•the remainder of your new vehicle limited warranty.
Contact your dealer for details and a copy of the warranty.
The following is a list of several Genuine Ford Accessories. Not all
accessories are available for all models. For a complete listing of the
accessories that are available for your vehicle, please contact your dealer
or visit our online store at: www.fordaccessoriesstore.com.
Exterior style
Bug shields
Moonroof deflector
Side window deflector
Splash guards
Interior style
All weather floor mats
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Carpeted floor mats
TripTunes™ Advanced
Lifestyle
Ash cup / smoker’s package
Cargo organization and management
Remote start
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Accessories
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Peace of mind
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
Wheel locks
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification label). Consult your authorized dealer for
specific weight information.
•The 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.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use.
•To avoid interference with other vehicle functions, such as anti-lock
braking systems, amateur radio users who install radios and antennas
onto their vehicle should not locate the Amateur Radio Antennas in
the area of the driver’s side hood.
•Electrical or electronic accessories or components that are added to
the vehicle by the authorized dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
2008 Taurus(tau)
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Accessories
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A
Accessory delay ..........................95
AdvanceTrac ..............................221
Air cleaner filter ...............304–306
Air conditioning ....................73, 75
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................159, 168, 170
and child safety seats ............161
description ..............159, 168, 170
disposal ....................................173
driver airbag ............161, 169, 171
indicator light .................167, 173
operation .................161, 169, 171
passenger airbag .....161, 169, 171
side airbag ...............................168
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................231
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................286
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................219
Anti-theft system ..............132, 135
arming the system ..................135
disarming a triggered
system .....................................136
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................16, 20, 27
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................302
fluid, checking ........................302
fluid, refill capacities ..............307
fluid, specification ..................307
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................226
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....36B
Battery .......................................284
acid, treating emergencies .....284
jumping a disabled battery ....254
maintenance-free ....................284
replacement, specifications ...306
servicing ..................................284
Belt-Minder.............................154
Booster seats .............................174
Brakes ........................................218
anti-lock ...................................219
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................219
fluid, checking and adding ....302
fluid, refill capacities ..............307
fluid, specifications .................307
lubricant specifications ..........307
parking ....................................220
shift interlock ..........................225
Bulbs ............................................83
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....307
Cargo net ...................................116
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................246
Child safety restraints ..............174
child safety belts ....................174
Child safety seats ......................177
attaching with tether
straps .......................................181
in front seat ............................178
in rear seat ..............................178
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................174
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
314

Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............272
instrument panel ....................274
interior .....................................274
plastic parts ............................273
washing ....................................270
waxing .....................................271
wheels ......................................271
wiper blades ............................273
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......73, 75
Clock ............................................91
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................28
AM/FM/CD .................................21
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............109
Console
overhead ....................................91
Controls
power seat ...............................140
steering column ......................100
Coolant
checking and adding ..............286
refill capacities ................290, 307
specifications ..........................307
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................97
Cupholder(s) .............................145
Customer Assistance ................237
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................266
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............267
Getting roadside assistance ...237
Getting the service you
need .........................................262
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................268Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............266
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................81
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................302
engine oil .................................281
Driving under special
conditions ..........................232, 234
sand .........................................233
snow and ice ...........................235
through water .................233, 236
DVD system .................................43
E
Electronic message center .......107
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................254
Emission control system ..........299
Engine ........................................309
cleaning ...................................272
coolant .....................................286
idle speed control ...................284
lubrication specifications .......307
refill capacities ........................307
service points ..........................279
starting after a collision .........239
Engine block heater .................218
Engine oil ..................................281
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................281
checking and adding ..............281
dipstick ....................................281
filter, specifications ........283, 306
recommendations ...................283
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
315

refill capacities ........................307
specifications ..........................307
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................218
F
Family entertainment system ....43
Fluid capacities .........................307
Foglamps .....................................80
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................231
Fuel ............................................291
calculating fuel
economy ..........................108, 296
cap ...........................................293
capacity ...................................307
choosing the right fuel ...........294
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................298
detergent in fuel .....................295
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................291, 293, 296
filter, specifications ........291, 306
fuel pump shut-off switch .....239
improving fuel economy ........296
octane rating ...................294, 309
quality ......................................295
running out of fuel .................295
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................291
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......239
Fuses ..........................................239
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............293
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................296Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................238
Head restraints .........138, 143–144
Headlamps ...................................79
aiming ..................................81–82
autolamp system .......................79
bulb specifications ....................84
daytime running lights .............81
flash to pass ..............................81
high beam .................................80
replacing bulbs ...................84–85
turning on and off ....................79
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................71, 73, 75
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................103
Hood ..........................................278
How to get going ........................16
I
Ignition ...............................215, 309
Illuminated visor mirror .............90
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................177
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................301
Instrument panel ........................91
cleaning ...................................274
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................81
J
Jack ............................................246
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Index
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positioning ...............................246
storage .....................................246
Jump-starting your vehicle ......254
K
Keyless entry system ...............130
autolock ...................................119
keypad .....................................130
locking and unlocking
doors ........................................132
programming entry code .......130
Keys ...................................117, 133
positions of the ignition .........215
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................79
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................84
daytime running light ...............81
fog lamps ...................................80
headlamps .................................79
headlamps, flash to pass ..........81
instrument panel, dimming .....81
interior lamps .....................83–84
replacing bulbs .............84–85, 88
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................83
Liftgate ......................................126
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........219
Load limits .................................205
Locks
autolock ...................................119
childproof ................................122
doors ........................................118
Lubricant specifications ...........307
Lug nuts ....................................254Lumbar support, seats .............139
M
Message center .........................107
english/metric button .............112
system check button ..............111
warning messages ...................113
Mirrors ...................................95–96
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................95
fold away ...................................96
heated ........................................97
programmable memory ..........126
side view mirrors (power) .......96
Moon roof ..................................102
Motorcraft parts ........276, 291, 306
N
Navigation system .......................70
O
Octane rating ............................294
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................281
Overdrive ...................................226
P
Parking brake ............................220
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....306
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................147
Power adjustable foot pedals .....97
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................243
Power door locks ......................118
Power mirrors .............................96
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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Power point .................................92
Power steering ..........................224
fluid, checking and adding ....301
fluid, refill capacity ................307
fluid, specifications .................307
Power Windows ...........................93
R
Radio ................................16, 20, 27
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................43
Relays ........................................239
Remote entry system .......124–125
illuminated entry ............128–129
locking/unlocking doors .........125
opening the trunk ...................126
panic alarm .............................126
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................128
replacing the batteries ...........127
Reverse sensing system ...........228
Roadside assistance ..................237
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........153
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ......145, 149–152
Safety Canopy ...................168, 170
Safety defects, reporting ..........269
Safety restraints ........145, 149–153
Belt-Minder...........................154
extension assembly ................153
for adults .........................150–152
for children .....................173–174
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................147safety belt maintenance .........153
warning light and chime ........154
Safety seats for children ..........177
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................310
Satellite Radio Information ........40
Seats ..........................................138
child safety seats ....................177
front seats ...............138, 140, 142
heated ........................................75
memory seat ...................126, 143
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................132
Servicing your vehicle ..............277
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................21
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................28
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........250
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................306, 309
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................307
Speed control ..............................97
Starting your vehicle ........215–217
jump starting ..........................254
Steering wheel
controls ....................................100
tilting .........................................90
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................90
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........246
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....200
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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Tires ...........................185–186, 246
alignment ................................193
care ..........................................189
changing ..........................246, 250
checking the pressure ............189
inflating ...................................187
label .........................................199
replacing ..................................191
rotating ....................................193
safety practices .......................192
sidewall information ...............195
snow tires and chains ............205
spare tire .................................247
terminology .............................186
tire grades ...............................186
treadwear ........................185, 190
Towing .......................................211
recreational towing .................213
trailer towing ..........................211
wrecker ....................................260
Traction control ........................223
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................302
fluid, refill capacities ..............307
lubricant specifications ..........307
Transmission .............................225
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....225
Trunk .................................123, 126remote release ........................116
Turn signal ..................................83
U
USB port ......................................37
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................310
Vehicle loading ..........................205
Ventilating your vehicle ...........218
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................280
Water, Driving through .............236
Windows
power .........................................93
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................89
checking and adding fluid .....280
replacing wiper blades ...........281
Wrecker towing .........................260
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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320