check transmission fluid FORD TAURUS X 2009 1.G Owners Manual

When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the wheel rims (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the engine, transmission, AWD system components or axles are
submerged in water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if
necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the engine or
transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
2009 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
273

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is in the add range or does not
show at all on the dipstick.
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 149°F (65°C) on a level surface. The normal operating
temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of
driving.
2009 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
342

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.
2009 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
347

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
2009 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
353

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
2009 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
354

Steering wheel
controls ....................................110
tilting .........................................98
SYNC
..........................................73
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................98
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........285
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....237
Tires ...........................221–222, 285
alignment ................................230
care ..........................................225
changing ..................285, 288–289
checking the pressure ............225
inflating ...................................223
label .........................................236
replacing ..................................227
rotating ....................................230
safety practices .......................229
sidewall information ...............231
snow tires and chains ............241
spare tire .................................286
terminology .............................222
tire grades ...............................222
treadwear ........................221, 226
Towing .......................................248
recreational towing .................251
trailer towing ..........................248
wrecker ....................................298Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............346
lubricant specifications ..........346
Transmission .............................264
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....264
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................342
Turn signal ..................................91
U
USB port ......................................38
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................349
Vehicle loading ..........................242
Ventilating your vehicle ...........255
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................317
Water, Driving through .............275
Windows
power .......................................103
rear wiper/washer .....................98
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................97
checking and adding fluid .....317
replacing wiper blades ...........318
Wrecker towing .........................298
2009 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
358