check oil FORD TAURUS 2012 6.G User Guide

Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Fuel tank19.0 gallons
(71.9 L)——
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCONLV should only use MERCONLV fluid. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid
other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.3Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A (3.5L V6 SHO engine) or WSS-M2C945 -A (3.5L
V6 engine) and the API Certification mark.4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Convenience
Many dealerships have extended evening and Saturday hours to make
your service visit more convenient. How’s that for quality service?
Factory-trained technicians
Service technicians participate in extensive factory-sponsored
certification training to help them become experts on the operation of
your vehicle. Ask your dealership about the training and certification
their technicians have received.
Genuine Ford and Motorcraftreplacement parts
Dealerships stock Ford and Motorcraftbranded replacement parts.
These parts meet or exceed Ford Motor Company’s specifications, and
we stand behind them. Parts installed at your dealership carry a
nationwide, 12 month/12,000 mile (20,000 km) parts and labor limited
warranty. Your dealer can give you details.
Value shopping for your vehicle’s maintenance needs
Your dealership recognizes the competitive landscape of maintenance and
light repair automotive services. With factory-trained technicians, and
one-stop service from routine maintenance like oil changes and tire
rotations to repairs like brake service, check out the value your dealers
can offer.
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 fluids used.
Scheduled Maintenance
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Engine oil/coolant change intervals
Engine oilAs indicated by the message center: do not
exceed one year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Engine coolant,
initial change6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, after
initial changeEvery 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
Windshield washer fluid level
Check every six months
Battery connections; clean if necessary
Body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
Door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Parking brake for proper operation
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
Washer spray/wiper operation; clean or replace blades as necessary
Scheduled Maintenance
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Multi-point inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the
systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify
potential issues and prevent major problems. Ford Motor Company
recommends the following multi-point inspection be performed at every
scheduled maintenance interval to help ensure your vehicle keeps
running great.
Multi-point inspection – Recommended each visit
Accessory drive belt(s) Half-shaft dust boots (if equipped)
Battery performance Horn operation
Clutch operation (if equipped) Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hoses
Engine air filter Suspension component for leaks or
damage
Exhaust system Steering and linkage
Exterior lamps and hazard
warning system operationTires for wear and proper pressure,
including spare
Fluid levels*; fill if necessary Windshield for cracks, chips or pits
For oil and fluid leaks Washer spray and wiper operation
*Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, manual and automatic transmission
(with an underhood dipstick), power steering (if equipped) and
window washer
Be sure to ask your dealership service advisor or technician about the
multi-point vehicle inspection. It’s a comprehensive way to perform a
thorough inspection of your vehicle. It’s your checklist that gives you
immediate feedback on the overall condition of your vehicle. You’ll know
what’s been checked, what’s okay, as well as those things that may
require future or immediate attention. The multi-point vehicle inspection
is one more way to keep your vehicle running great!
Scheduled Maintenance
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EXCEPTIONS
There are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule. They are listed
below:
Normal vehicle axle maintenance:Rear axles and power take-off
(PTO) units with synthetic fluid and light-duty trucks equipped with
Ford-design axles are lubricated for life; do not check or change fluid
unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the assembly has been
submerged in water. During long periods of trailer towing with outside
temperatures above 70°F (21°C) and at wide-open throttle for long
periods above 45 mph (72 km/h), non-synthetic rear axle fluids should
be changed every 3,000 miles (4,800 km) or three months, whichever
comes first. This interval can be waived if the axle is filled with 75W140
synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part
number F1TZ-19580-B or equivalent. Add friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear
axles (refer toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for details).
Police/Taxi/Livery vehicle axle maintenance:Change rear axle fluid
every 100,000 miles (160,000 km). Rear axle fluid change may be waived
if the axle was filled with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford
specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number FITZ-19580-B or equivalent.
Add four ounces (118 mL) of additive friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear
axles. The axle fluid should be changed anytime the axle has been
submerged in water
California fuel filter replacement:If the vehicle is registered in
California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle’s
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all
recommended maintenance services performed at the specified intervals
and to record all vehicle service.
Class A Motorhome:Change brake fluid every two years.
Hot climate oil change intervals:If operating conditions are normal
and you drive your vehicle under typical, everyday conditionsandyou
are using an API performance category oil of SL or later (for example
SM, etc.) then you can follow the 7,500 mile (12,000 km) normal service
oil change intervals schedule. Vehicles operating in the Middle East,
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with similar climates must
follow the oil change interval of 3,000 mile (4,800 km) if the owner is
Scheduled Maintenance
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Changing a tire .........................290
Child safety seats ......................190
attaching with tether straps ..196
in front seat ............................190
in rear seat ..............................190
LATCH .....................................194
recommendations ...................188
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................199
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............322
instrument panel ....................325
interior .....................................326
plastic parts ............................324
washing ....................................320
waxing .....................................321
wheels ......................................321
wiper blades ............................324
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................51, 54, 57
Clock ............................................33
Collision Warning System .........262
Compass, electronic ....................79
calibration .................................80
set zone adjustment .................79
Console
overhead ....................................78
Controls
power seat ...............................143
steering column ........................98
Coolant
checking and adding ..............339
refill capacities ................342, 368
specifications ..........................368
Cross Traffic Alert ....................267
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................88Cupholder(s) .............................156
Customer Assistance ................280
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................378, 381
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................316
Getting roadside assistance ...280
Getting the service you
need .........................................312
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................318
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................316
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................66
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................54
windshield ...........................54, 57
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................358
engine oil .................................333
Doors
central unlocking ....................116
Driving under special
conditions ..........................274, 277
sand .........................................276
snow and ice ...........................278
through water .................276, 279
E
Electronic message center .........19
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................307
Index
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running out of fuel .........306, 350
Emission control system ..........354
Engine ........................................372
cleaning ...................................322
coolant .....................................339
fail-safe cooling .......................343
idle speed control ...................337
lubrication specifications .......368
refill capacities ........................368
service points ..................330–331
Engine block heater .................241
Engine oil ..................................333
checking and adding ..............333
dipstick ....................................333
filter, specifications ................367
refill capacities ........................368
specifications ..........................368
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................240
F
Fail safe cooling ........................343
Fleet MyKey programming ......109
Floor mats .........................105–106
Fluid capacities .........................368
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................274
Fuel ............................................345
calculating fuel
economy ............................21, 351
cap ...........................................347
capacity ...................................368
choosing the right fuel ...........348
detergent in fuel .....................350
filler funnel .............................350
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................345, 347, 351filter, specifications ........345, 367
fuel pump shut-off ..................282
improving fuel economy ........351
octane rating ...................349, 372
quality ......................................349
running out of fuel .........306, 350
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................345
Fuses ..........................................282
G
Garage door opener ..................101
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............347
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................351
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................281
Headlamps ...................................62
aiming ........................................67
autolamp system .......................62
bulb specifications ....................71
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, 57
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................101
Hood ..........................................329
I
Ignition ...............................235, 372
Index
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O
Octane rating ............................349
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................333
Overdrive ...................................253
P
Parental MyKey
programming .............................109
Parking brake ............................244
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........367
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................159
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................87
Power adjustable foot
pedals .....................................87–88
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................287
Power door locks ......................115
Power mirrors .............................86
Power point .................................82
Power steering ..........................250
fluid, checking and adding ....357
fluid, refill capacity ................368
fluid, specifications .................368
Power Windows ...........................83
Power windows
opening using remote entry
system .....................................123
Push button start system .........238
R
Radio ............................................326-CD in dash .............................32
Rear heated seats .....................156
Rear-view camera system .........260
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................188
Relays ........................................282
Remote entry system .......121–122
illuminated entry ............127–128
locking/unlocking
doors ................................122–123
opening the trunk ...................124
opening the windows .............123
panic alarm .............................124
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................127
replacing the batteries ...........125
Reverse sensing system ...........258
Roadside assistance ..................280
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..160, 162–163, 165–166
Safety Canopy ...........................182
Safety defects, reporting ..........319
Safety
restraints ...160, 162–163, 165–166
Belt-Minder...........................167
extension assembly ................165
for adults .................162–163, 165
for children .............................186
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................159
warning light and chime ........166
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................194
Safety seats for children ..........190
Index
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