Information ac FORD TAURUS 2011 6.G Owners Manual

GENERAL MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
Why maintain your vehicle?
This guide describes the scheduled maintenance required for your
vehicle. Carefully following this schedule helps protect against major
repair expenses resulting from neglect or inadequate maintenance and
may also help to increase the value of your vehicle when you sell or
trade it.
It is your responsibility to see that all scheduled maintenance is
performed and that the materials used meet Ford engineering
specifications. Failure to perform scheduled maintenance specific in this
guide will invalidate warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of
maintenance. Be sure receipts for completed maintenance are kept with
the vehicle and confirmation of the work performed is always recorded in
this guide.
Your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer has factory-trained technicians who
can perform the required maintenance using genuine Ford parts. They
are committed to meeting your service needs and to assuring your
continuing satisfaction.
Protecting your investment
Maintenance is an investment that will pay dividends in the form of
improved reliability, durability and resale value. To ensure the proper
performance of your vehicle and its emission control systems, it is
imperative that scheduled maintenance be completed at the designated
intervals.
For your convenience, your vehicle is equipped with a message center
which determines the proper oil change service interval. You should
perform the engine oil change as indicated by the instrument cluster
message center. The message center will display ENGINE OIL CHANGE
SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED to indicate when an oil change is
needed. The engine oil change service needs to be completed within two
weeks or 500 miles (800 km) after the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED
message is displayed. Your oil change service interval can be up to one
year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km). Reset your Intelligent Oil Life
Monitor™ after each engine oil and filter change; refer to the
Instrument Clusterchapter.
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If your message center is prematurely reset or becomes inoperative, you
should perform the oil change interval at six months or 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) from your last oil change.
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built with multiple complex
performance systems. Every manufacturer develops these systems using
different specifications and performance features. That’s why it’s
important to rely upon your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership to
properly diagnose and repair your vehicle.
Ford Motor Company has recommended maintenance intervals for
various parts and component systems based upon engineering testing.
Ford Motor Company relies upon this testing to determine the most
appropriate mileage for replacement of oils and fluids to protect your
vehicle at the lowest overall cost to you and recommends against
maintenance schedules that deviate from the scheduled maintenance
information.
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford replacement parts.
Parts other than Ford, Motorcraft
or Ford-authorized remanufactured
parts that are used for maintenance replacement or for the service of
components affecting emission control must be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability. It is the
owner’s responsibility to determine the equivalency of such parts. Please
consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete warranty information.
Non-Ford approved chemicals or additives are not required for factory
recommended maintenance. In fact, Ford Motor Company recommends
against the use of such additive products unless specifically
recommended by Ford for a particular application.
Oil, fluids and flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and/or foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert such as the factory-trained technicians
at your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids
should be changed at the specified intervals or in conjunction with a
repair. Flushing is a viable way to change fluid for many vehicle
sub-systems during scheduled maintenance. It is critical that systems are
flushed only with new fluid that is the same as that required to fill and
operate the system, or using a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
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WHICH MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE SHOULD YOU FOLLOW?
Owner checks and services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
by the owner or a service technician at the intervals indicated. Service
information and supporting specifications are provided in this Owner’s
Guide.
Any adverse condition should be brought to the attention of your dealer
or qualified service technician as soon as possible for the proper service
advice. The owner maintenance service checks are generally not covered
by warranties so you may be charged for labor, parts or lubricants used.
Maximum oil change interval
❑As indicated by the instrument cluster message center (can be up to one year or 10,000 miles [16,000 km])
Engine coolant change interval
❑6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) - change engine coolant (whichever comes first)❑After initial change - change engine coolant every 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km).
Check every month
❑Check function of all interior and exterior lights❑Check tires for wear and correct air pressure, including spare tire
❑Check windshield washer fluid level
❑Check engine oil level
Check every six months
❑Check lap/shoulder belts and seat latches for wear and function❑Check parking brake for proper operation
❑Check safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
❑Check cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
❑Check battery connections and clean if necessary
❑Check washer spray, wiper operation and clean all wiper blades (replace as necessary)
❑Check and lubricate all hinges, latches and outside locks. Inspect for correct operation
❑Check and lubricate door rubber weatherstrips. Inspect for excessive wear
❑Check and clean body and door drain holes. Inspect for clogs and obstructions
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A
Accessory delay ..........................85
Adaptive Cruise Control .............90
AdvanceTrac ..............................245
AdvanceTrac Sport Mode .........249
Air cleaner filter ...............361, 365
Air conditioning ....................51, 54
automatic temperature
control system ..........................56
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................51
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................171–172, 180, 182
and child safety seats ............173
description ..............172, 180, 182
disposal ....................................186
driver airbag ............174, 181, 183
indicator light .................180, 185
operation .................174, 181, 183
passenger airbag .....174, 181, 183
side airbag ...............................180
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................270
Ambient mood/lighting ...............70
AM/FM .........................................32
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................337
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................243
Anti-theft system ..............131, 136
arming the system ..................136
disarming a triggered
system .....................................136
Audio system (see Radio) .........32
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............366fluid, specification ..................366
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................253, 255
fluid, adding ............................356
fluid, checking ........................356
Selectshift (SST) ....................256
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....41
B
Battery .......................................335
acid, treating emergencies .....335
jumping a disabled battery ....305
maintenance-free ....................335
replacement, specifications ...365
servicing ..................................335
Belt-Minder
.............................167
Blind Spot Information
System .......................................264
Booster seats .............................199
Brakes ........................................242
anti-lock ...................................243
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................243
fluid, checking and adding ....356
fluid, refill capacities ..............366
fluid, specifications .................366
lubricant specifications ..........366
parking ....................................244
shift interlock ..........................251
Bulbs ............................................70
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....366
Cargo cover ...............................101
Cargo net ...................................106
CD ................................................32
Index
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E
Electronic message center .........19
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................305
running out of fuel .........304, 348
Emission control system ..........352
Engine ........................................369
cleaning ...................................318
coolant .....................................337
fail-safe cooling .......................341
idle speed control ...................335
lubrication specifications .......366
refill capacities ........................366
service points ..................328–329
Engine block heater .................241
Engine oil ..................................331
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................331
checking and adding ..............331
dipstick ....................................331
filter, specifications ................365
refill capacities ........................366
specifications ..........................366
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................240
F
Fail safe cooling ........................341
Fleet MyKey programming ......108
Floor mats .................................105
Fluid capacities .........................366
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................271
Fuel ............................................343
calculating fuel
economy ............................21, 349cap ...........................................345
capacity ...................................366
choosing the right fuel ...........347
detergent in fuel .....................348
filler funnel .............................348
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................343, 345, 350
filter, specifications ........343, 365
fuel pump shut-off ..................279
improving fuel economy ........349
octane rating ...................347, 369
quality ......................................347
running out of fuel .........304, 348
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................343
Fuses ..........................................280
G
Garage door opener ..................101
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............345
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................349
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................279
Headlamps ...................................62
aiming ........................................67
autolamp system .......................62
bulb specifications ....................70
daytime running lights .............66
flash to pass ..............................66
high beam .................................63
replacing bulbs .........................71
turning on and off ....................62
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................51, 54, 56
Index
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for adults .................162–163, 165
for children .............................186
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................159
warning light
and chime ........................166–167
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................194
Safety seats for children ..........190
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................370
Satellite Radio Information ........47
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............385
What Maintenance Schedule
Should You Follow? ................382
Seats ..........................................138
child safety seats ....................190
cleaning ...................................323
climate control ..................54, 148
easy access/easyout
feature .....................................150
front seats .......................141, 147
heated ..............................146, 156
memory seat ...................124, 149
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................129
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................131
Servicing your vehicle ..............326
Setting the clock .........................33
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............185
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........291
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................365, 369Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................366
Speed control ..............................88
Starting your vehicle ........235–237
jump starting ..........................305
push button start system .......238
Steering wheel
controls ......................................98
tilting .........................................77
Stereo
6-CD in dash .............................32
CD-MP3 .....................................32
SYNC
..........................................50
T
Temporary mobility kit .............295
Tilt steering wheel ......................77
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....219
Tires ...........................203–204, 288
alignment ................................211
care ..........................................207
changing ..........................288, 291
checking the pressure ............207
inflating ...................................205
label .........................................218
replacing ..................................209
rotating ....................................212
safety practices .......................210
sidewall information ...............213
snow tires and chains ............223
spare tire .................................288
Temporary mobility kit ..........295
terminology .............................204
tire grades ...............................204
treadwear ........................203, 208
Towing .......................................231
Index
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