engine coolant FORD TAURUS X 2009 1.G User Guide

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.
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.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
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How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The service engine soon
indicator will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
WARNING:Fail-safe mode is for use during emergencies only.
Operate the vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long as necessary to
bring the vehicle to rest in a safe location and seek immediate repairs.
When in fail-safe mode, the vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and may completely shut down
without warning, potentially losing engine power, power steering assist,
and power brake assist, which may increase the possibility of a crash
resulting in serious injury.
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WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot. The hot coolant is under pressure and
may cause serious burns.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
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.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
WARNING:Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
WARNING:If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system
or cause the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in
serious personal injury.
WARNING:Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death
if misused or mishandled.
WARNING:Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a
cancer-causing agent.
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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 toscheduled maintenance information.
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.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines 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 the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
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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
MERCON
VATFX T-5-QM /
MERCON
V
Windshield washer fluidTop- off fluid as
neededMotorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16-A2
Fuel tank18.6 gallons
(70.4L)
(non-PZEV)
——
19.0 (71.9L)
(PZEV)
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCON
V should only use MERCON
V fluid. Refer to
scheduled 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.
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A
Accessory delay ........................104
AdvanceTrac ..............................259
Air cleaner filter ...............343–345
Air conditioning ........76, 78, 80, 82
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................183–184, 193, 195
and child safety seats ............186
description ..............184, 193, 195
disposal ....................................199
driver airbag ............186, 193, 196
indicator light .................192, 198
operation .................186, 193, 196
passenger airbag .....186, 193, 196
side airbag ...............................193
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................270
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................324
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................257
Anti-theft system ..............149, 153
arming the system ..................153
disarming a triggered
system .....................................154
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................18, 22, 29
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............346
fluid, specification ..................346
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................265
fluid, adding ............................342
fluid, checking ........................342
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....37
B
Battery .......................................322acid, treating emergencies .....322
jumping a disabled battery ....293
maintenance-free ....................322
replacement, specifications ...345
servicing ..................................322
Belt-Minder
.............................179
Booster seats .............................215
Brakes ........................................257
anti-lock ...................................257
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................258
fluid, checking and adding ....341
fluid, refill capacities ..............346
fluid, specifications .................346
lubricant specifications ..........346
parking ....................................258
shift interlock ..........................264
Bulbs ............................................92
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....346
Cargo cover ...............................132
Cargo net ...................................132
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................285
Child safety seats ......................203
in front seat ............................204
in rear seat ..............................204
LATCH .....................................207
recommendations ...................201
tether anchorage hardware ...210
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................215
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............309
instrument panel ....................311
interior .....................................311
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plastic parts ............................310
washing ....................................307
waxing .....................................308
wheels ......................................308
wiper blades ............................310
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) .....................76, 78, 80, 82
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................30
AM/FM/CD .................................23
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............120
Console ......................................101
overhead ............................99–100
Controls
power seat ...............................158
steering column ......................110
Coolant
checking and adding ..............324
refill capacities ................328, 346
specifications ..........................346
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ......................................107
Customer Assistance ................276
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................304
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................304
Getting roadside assistance ...276
Getting the service you
need .........................................300
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................305
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................303D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................89
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................342
engine oil .................................319
Driving under special
conditions ..........................271, 273
sand .........................................272
snow and ice ...........................274
through water .................272, 275
DVD system .................................45
E
Electronic message center .......117
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................293
Emission control system ..........338
Engine ........................................348
cleaning ...................................309
coolant .....................................324
fail-safe cooling .......................328
idle speed control ...................322
lubrication specifications .......346
refill capacities ........................346
service points ..........................316
starting after a collision .........278
Engine block heater .................255
Engine oil ..................................319
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................319
checking and adding ..............319
dipstick ....................................319
filter, specifications ........321, 345
recommendations ...................321
refill capacities ........................346
specifications ..........................346
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