engine coolant FORD TAURUS X 2008 1.G User Guide

3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
316

Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34°F [–36°C ]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with
the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
317

The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by 20
minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the service
interval schedules.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter for the proper
fluid type.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
329

Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Engine coolant11.1 quarts
(10.5L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
with bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
3
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1 Engine coolant (with
rear heater)13.2 quarts
(12.5L)
Power steering fluidBetween MAX and
MIN on reservoirMotorcraft MERCONV
AT FX T-5-QM /
MERCONV
Windshield washer fluidTop- off fluid as
neededMotorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16-A2
Fuel tank18.6 gallons
(70.4L)
——
19.0 (71.9L)
(PZEV)
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCONV should only use MERCONV fluid or fluid that
is specified dual usage MERCON/MERCONV. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto
determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may
cause transmission damage.3Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.4Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
335

A
Accessory delay ........................103
AdvanceTrac ..............................248
Air cleaner filter ...............332–333
Air conditioning ........76, 78, 80, 82
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................180–181, 189, 191
and child safety seats ............182
description ..............181, 189, 191
disposal ....................................194
driver airbag ............183, 190, 192
indicator light .................189, 194
operation .................183, 190, 192
passenger airbag .....183, 190, 192
side airbag ...............................189
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................258
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................313
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................246
Anti-theft system ..............147, 150
arming the system ..................150
disarming a triggered
system .....................................151
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................16, 20, 28
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................330
fluid, checking ........................330
fluid, refill capacities ..............334
fluid, specification ..................334
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................253
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....36
B
Battery .......................................311acid, treating emergencies .....311
jumping a disabled battery ....281
maintenance-free ....................311
replacement, specifications ...333
servicing ..................................311
Belt-Minder.............................175
Booster seats .............................195
Brakes ........................................246
anti-lock ...................................246
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................246
fluid, checking and adding ....330
fluid, refill capacities ..............334
fluid, specifications .................334
lubricant specifications ..........334
parking ....................................247
shift interlock ..........................252
Bulbs ............................................91
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....334
Cargo cover ...............................129
Cargo net ...................................129
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................273
Child safety restraints ..............195
child safety belts ....................195
Child safety seats ......................199
in front seat ............................200
in rear seat ..............................200
tether anchorage hardware ...203
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................195
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............298
instrument panel ....................300
interior .....................................300
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
341

plastic parts ............................299
washing ....................................296
waxing .....................................297
wheels ......................................297
wiper blades ............................299
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) .....................76, 78, 80, 82
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................29
AM/FM/CD .................................21
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............118
Console ......................................100
overhead ..............................98–99
Controls
power seat ...............................155
steering column ......................109
Coolant
checking and adding ..............313
refill capacities ................316, 334
specifications ..........................334
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................106
Customer Assistance ................264
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................292
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................293
Getting roadside assistance ...264
Getting the service you
need .........................................288
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................294
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................292D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................89
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................330
engine oil .................................308
Driving under special
conditions ..........................259, 261
sand .........................................260
snow and ice ...........................262
through water .................260, 263
DVD system .................................44
E
Electronic message center .......116
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................281
Emission control system ..........326
Engine ........................................336
cleaning ...................................298
coolant .....................................313
idle speed control ...................311
lubrication specifications .......334
refill capacities ........................334
service points ..........................305
starting after a collision .........266
Engine block heater .................244
Engine oil ..................................308
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................308
checking and adding ..............308
dipstick ....................................308
filter, specifications ........310, 333
recommendations ...................310
refill capacities ........................334
specifications ..........................334
Event data recording ....................6
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
342