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Ford Taurus 2004, Owner'S Manual

The Ford Taurus 2004 Quick Reference Manual is an essential companion for owners of this reliable sedan. This comprehensive manual provides detailed instructions and helpful tips on operating and maintaining your vehicle. Download this invaluable resource for free from our website manualshive.com and enhance your driving experience today.

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Fuel gauge:

Indicates

approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.

The FUEL icon and arrow indicates
which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.

Refer to

Filling the tank

in the

Maintenance and Specifications

chapter for more information.

Odometer:

Registers the total

kilometers (miles) of the vehicle.

Refer to

Message Center

in the

Drivers Controls

chapter on how to

switch the display from Metric to
English.

Trip odometer:

Registers the

kilometers (miles) of individual
journeys. Press and release the
message center INFO button until
“TRIP” appears in the display (this
represents the trip mode). Press
and hold the RESET button for three seconds to reset.

2004 Taurus

(tau)

Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English

(fus)

Instrument Cluster

14

Summary of Contents for Taurus 2004

Page 1: ... changer 21 Climate Controls 24 Manual heating and air conditioning 24 Electronic automatic temperature control 26 Rear window defroster 28 Lights 30 Headlamps 30 Turn signal control 33 Bulb replacement 35 Driver Controls 46 Windshield wiper washer control 46 Steering wheel adjustment 47 Power windows 49 Mirrors 49 Speed control 51 Message center 58 Table of Contents 1 ...

Page 2: ...es 132 Traction control 134 Transmission operation 136 Vehicle loading 140 Trailer towing 143 Recreational towing 146 Roadside Emergencies 148 Getting roadside assistance 148 Hazard flasher switch 149 Fuel pump shut off switch 149 Fuses and relays 151 Changing tires 157 Jump starting 162 Wrecker towing 168 Customer Assistance 170 Reporting safety defects U S only 178 Table of Contents 2 ...

Page 3: ...cessories 240 Index 242 All rights reserved Reproduction by any means electronic or mechanical including photocopying recording or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Ford Motor Company Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation Copyright 2003 Ford Motor Company Table o...

Page 4: ...ts products visit the following website In the United States www ford com In Canada www ford ca In Mexico www ford com mx In Australia www ford com au Additional owner information is given in separate publications This vehicle s Owner s Guide describes every option and model variant available and therefore some of the items covered may not apply to your particular vehicle Furthermore due to printi...

Page 5: ...isposal of waste cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards this aim Information in this respect is highlighted in this guide with the tree symbol BREAKING IN YOUR VEHICLE Your vehicle does not need an extensive break in Try not to drive continuously at the same speed for the first 1 600 km 1 000 miles of new vehicle operation Vary your speed to allow parts to adjust themselv...

Page 6: ...cing your vehicle Event Data Recording Other modules in your vehicle event data recorders are capable of collecting and storing data during a crash or near crash event The recorded information may assist in the investigation of such an event The modules may record information about both the vehicle and the occupants potentially including information such as how various systems in your vehicle were...

Page 7: ...r air bag MIDDLE EAST NORTH AFRICA VEHICLE SPECIFIC INFORMATION For your particular global region your vehicle may be equipped with features and options that are different from the ones that are described in this Owner s Guide therefore a supplement has been supplied that complements this book By referring to the pages in the provided supplement you can properly identify those features recommendat...

Page 8: ...arning Child Seat Lower Anchor Child Seat Tether Anchor Brake System Anti Lock Brake System Brake Fluid Non Petroleum Based Traction Control AdvanceTrac娂 Master Lighting Switch Hazard Warning Flasher Fog Lamps Front Fuse Compartment Fuel Pump Reset Windshield Wash Wipe Windshield Defrost Demist Rear Window Defrost Demist 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Introduction 8 ...

Page 9: ... Oil Engine Coolant Engine Coolant Temperature Do Not Open When Hot Battery Avoid Smoking Flames or Sparks Battery Acid Explosive Gas Fan Warning Power Steering Fluid Maintain Correct Fluid Level MAX MIN Emission System Engine Air Filter Passenger Compartment Air Filter Jack Check fuel cap 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Introduction 9 ...

Page 10: ... II has detected a malfunction Refer to On board diagnostics OBD II in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter If the light is blinking engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter Drive in a moderate fashion avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration and have your vehicle serviced immediately Under engine misfire conditions excessive exhaust temperatures could damage ...

Page 11: ...rformance may occur It will take you longer to stop the vehicle Have the vehicle checked by your dealer immediately Anti lock brake system if equipped If the ABS light stays illuminated or continues to flash a malfunction has been detected have the system serviced immediately Normal braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is illuminated Air bag readiness If this light fails...

Page 12: ...rilock娂 Passive Anti theft System has been activated Refer to Securilock娂 Passive Anti theft System in the Locks and Security chapter Turn signal Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard lights are turned on If the indicators stay on or flash faster check for a burned out bulb High beams Illuminates when the high beam headlamps are turned on Key in ignition warning chime Sounds...

Page 13: ...ction the engine is overheating Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible switch off the engine and let the engine cool Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is running or hot Tachometer Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the scale may damage the engine 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt U...

Page 14: ...Specifications chapter for more information Odometer Registers the total kilometers miles of the vehicle Refer to Message Center in the Drivers Controls chapter on how to switch the display from Metric to English Trip odometer Registers the kilometers miles of individual journeys Press and release the message center INFO button until TRIP appears in the display this represents the trip mode Press ...

Page 15: ...ss Press to decrease increase the bass output 3 Treble Press to decrease increase the treble output 4 Balance Press to shift sound to the left right speakers 5 Fade Press to shift sound to the rear front speakers 6 Scan Press SCAN to hear a brief sampling of all listenable radio stations Press again to stop BASS TREB BAL FADE 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Entertainment...

Page 16: ...10 Power volume Press to turn ON OFF turn to increase or decrease volume levels 11 AM FM Press to choose a frequency band AM FM1 FM2 AM FM STEREO CASSETTE MACH姞 AUDIO SYSTEM WITH AM FM STEREO CASSETTE IF EQUIPPED 1 Tape Insert the cassette with the opening to the right If a tape is already inserted into the system press TAPE to begin tape play VOL PUSH ON AM FM 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 20...

Page 17: ...rease the bass output 5 Treble Press to decrease increase the treble output 6 Balance Press to shift sound to the left right speakers 7 Fade Press to shift sound to the rear front speakers 8 Scan Press SCAN to hear a brief sampling of all listenable radio stations tape or CD selections Press again to stop 9 Shuffle Press to play CD tracks in random order 10 COMP compression While playing a CD pres...

Page 18: ... press and hold a preset button until sound returns 16 Tune Works in radio mode or CD mode Press to change frequency down up or previous next disc 17 Cassette door Insert a cassette into the cassette door 18 Seek Press and release for previous next listenable radio station tape selection or CD track 19 Power volume Press to turn ON OFF turn to increase or decrease volume levels 20 AM FM Press to c...

Page 19: ...o set the minute press and hold the M control When the desired minute appears release the control 2 Bass Press to decrease increase the bass output 3 Treble Press to decrease increase the treble output 4 Balance Press to shift sound to the left right speakers 12 11 10 9 8 16 1 2 3 17 5 4 15 14 13 7 6 BASS TREB BAL 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Entertainment Systems 19 ...

Page 20: ...sistent listening level 10 FF fast forward Press and hold until desired selection is reached 11 REW rewind Press and hold until desired selection is reached 12 Memory preset buttons To set a station Select frequency band AM FM tune to a station press and hold a preset button until sound returns 13 Tune Press to change radio frequency down up With CD changer if equipped press to select the previous...

Page 21: ...ment 1 Slide the door to access the CD changer magazine 2 Press to eject the magazine 3 Turn the magazine A over 4 Using the disc holder release knob C pull the disc holder B out of the magazine Do not pull too hard on the disc holder as the disc holder may come completely out of the magazine If this happens reinsert the disc holder back into the magazine while pressing on the lever VOL PUSH ON AM...

Page 22: ...requencies are AM 530 540 1700 1710 kHz FM 87 7 87 9 107 7 107 9 MHz RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS There are three factors that can affect radio reception Distance strength The further you travel from an FM station the weaker the signal and the weaker the reception Terrain Hills mountains tall buildings power lines electric fences traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception Statio...

Page 23: ...of time Insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer magazine Clean using a circular motion CD units are designed to play commercially pressed 12 cm 4 75 in audio compact discs only Due to technical incompatibility certain recordable and re recordable compact discs may not function correctly when used in Ford CD players Irregular shaped CDs CDs with a scratch protection film attached...

Page 24: ...nterior air it is more economical and efficient May reduce undesirable odors from entering the vehicle A C Uses outside air to cool the vehicle Air flows from the instrument panel register vents only Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents OFF Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate Distributes outside air through the instrument panel and floor vents Distributes out...

Page 25: ...erfere with the airflow to the back seats Remove any snow ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of the windshield To aid in side window defogging demisting in cold weather 1 Select 2 Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort 3 Set the fan speed to the highest setting 4 Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows To increase airflow to the outer instrument...

Page 26: ...ed to manually enable or disable recirculated air operation When activated recirculates air in the cabin thereby reducing the amount of time to cool down the interior of the vehicle May also help reduce undesired odors from reaching the interior of the vehicle Will work in all modes except Defrost Recirculation turns off automatically when Floor Floor Defrost or Defrost is selected to reduce the h...

Page 27: ...n be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield Outside air and A C will be automatically engaged to assist in clearing the windshield 10 Rear defrost control Press to defrost the rear window 11 Distributes air through the windshield defroster ducts and floor ducts The system will automatically provide outside air to reduce window fogging 12 Distributes air through the floor and rear seat floor ...

Page 28: ...gging demisting in cold weather 1 Select 2 Select A C 3 Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort 4 Set the fan speed to the highest setting 5 Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents close the vents located in the middle of the instrument panel Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these obje...

Page 29: ...AIR FILTER IF EQUIPPED Your vehicle may be equipped with a Cabin air filter The particulate air filtration system is designed to reduce the concentration of airborne particles such as dust spores and pollen in the air being supplied to the interior of the vehicle The particulate filtration system gives the following benefits to customers Improves the customer s driving comfort by reducing particle...

Page 30: ...e To turn autolamps off rotate the control clockwise to OFF Daytime running lamps DRL if equipped Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output To activate the ignition must be in the ON position the headlamp control is set to OFF or parking lamp position and the parking brake must be disengaged Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during inclement weather The Daytime Running Lamp D...

Page 31: ...l and all applicable switches in the vehicle during headlamp and parklamp operation Move the control to the full upright position past detent to turn on the interior lamps AIMING THE HEADLAMPS The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant If your vehicle has been in an accident the alignment of your headlamps should be checked by a qualified service technician A 2004 Tauru...

Page 32: ...from the ground and mark a 2 5 meter 8 foot horizontal reference line on the vertical wall or screen at this height a piece of masking tape works well 3 Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and open the hood 4 On the wall or screen you will observe an area of high intensity light The top of the high intensity area should touch the horizontal reference line if not the bea...

Page 33: ...ise to adjust down or counterclockwise to adjust up The horizontal edge of the brighter light should touch the horizontal reference line 6 HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS NON ADJUSTABLE 7 Close the hood and turn off the lamps TURN SIGNAL CONTROL Push down to activate the left turn signal Push up to activate the right turn signal 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA...

Page 34: ...door has been opened from the outside the lamp will remain on for 25 seconds after the door is shut If any other door has been opened from the inside the lamp will shut off immediately after the door is closed The map lamp controls if equipped are located on the dome lamp Press the controls on either side of each lens on each map lamp to activate the lamps If equipped with a moon roof the map lamp...

Page 35: ...frequently Using the right bulbs Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below Headlamp bulbs must be marked with an authorized D O T for North America and an E for Europe to assure lamp performance light brightness and pattern and safe visibility The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly or void the lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn time Function Number of b...

Page 36: ...2 194 Cargo lamp wagon 1 578 Dome lamp 1 12V6W Dome map lamp 3 578 Visor vanity lamp passenger driver 2 DE 3021 Luggage compartment lamp 1 212 2 All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted To replace all instrument panel lights see your dealer Replacing the interior bulbs Check the operation of all bulbs frequently 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Lights 3...

Page 37: ...ing 3 At the back of the headlamp pry up and remove the two retainer pins to release the headlamp assembly from the vehicle and pull headlamp forward 4 Remove the protective dust shield from the housing by turning the dust shield counterclockwise when viewed from the rear 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Lights 37 ...

Page 38: ... keep out of children s reach Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do not touch the glass The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated 1 Install the new bulb in lamp assembly by pushing straight in with the flat surface of the bulb s plastic base facing upward You may need to turn the bulb slightly to align the grooves in the plastic base wit...

Page 39: ... make sure the retainer pins are fully seated and install bolt on headlamp housing 8 Turn the headlamps on and make sure they work properly If the headlamp was correctly aligned before you changed the bulb you should not need to align it again Replacing front parking lamp turn signal cornering lamp bulbs 1 Make sure the headlamp control is in the OFF position 2 Remove the bolt from the headlamp ho...

Page 40: ...seated and install bolt on headlamp housing 10 Turn the headlamps on and make sure they work properly If the headlamp was correctly aligned before you changed the bulb you should not need to align it again Replacing high mount brakelamp assembly Sedan only To change the high mount brake lamp assembly 1 Pry the light assembly away from its housing and push rearward to disengage it from the retainin...

Page 41: ...e from liftgate 3 Remove two screws and the lower trim panel from the liftgate 4 Remove the upper trim panel 5 Remove the rubber plug from the lower access hole in the upper portion of the liftgate 6 Remove four nuts from the lamp assembly 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Lights 41 ...

Page 42: ...If one or more LEDs burn out the complete lamp module has to be replaced See your dealer for the replacement LED module To replace the LED module 1 Remove the two outboard grommets from the inside of the decklid 2 On the inside of the decklid remove the three nuts that hold the spoiler on and remove the spoiler 3 On the underside of the spoiler remove the two decorative screw covers on the LED mod...

Page 43: ...4 Install the lamp assembly on liftgate with screw Sedan 1 Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position and remove two screws grommets and the license plate lamp assembly from the trunk lid 2 Carefully pull the bulb from the socket and push in the new bulb 3 Install the lamp assembly on trunk lid with two grommets ensuring the grommets are pushed all the way in to the trunk lid and secure with two...

Page 44: ... three nut and washer assemblies and the lamp assembly from the vehicle 4 Remove the bulb socket by rotating it counterclockwise then pulling it out of the lamp assembly 5 Pull the bulb from the socket and push in the new bulb 6 Install the bulb socket into the lamp assembly by rotating it clockwise 7 Install the lamp assembly on the vehicle with three nut and washer assemblies ensuring the washer...

Page 45: ...p assemblies 2 Remove the two bolts from the tail lamp assembly 3 Carefully pull the lamp assembly from the tailgate 4 Twist the bulb socket counterclockwise and remove from lamp assembly 5 Pull the bulb straight out of the socket and push in the new bulb 6 Install bulb socket in lamp assembly by turning clockwise 7 Carefully install the tail lamp assembly on tailgate and secure with two bolts 200...

Page 46: ...ithout washer fluid a quick push and hold the wipers will swipe three times with washer fluid a long push and hold the wipers and washer fluid will be activated for up to ten seconds Rear window wiper and washer wagon only The rear wiper control is located under the headlamp controls Press the wiper control to activate the rear wiper Press again to turn off the wiper 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide p...

Page 47: ... windshield to remove it from the arm 2 Attach the new wiper to the wiper arm and press it into place until a click is heard 3 Replace wiper blades every 6 months for optimum performance TILT STEERING WHEEL To adjust the steering wheel 1 Pull and hold the steering wheel release control toward you 2 Move the steering wheel up or down until you find the desired location 3 Release the steering wheel ...

Page 48: ... electrical accessories into the cigarette lighter Use the power point Do not use the power point for operating the cigarette lighter element The Maximum power each power point can supply depends on the fuse rating For example a 20A fuse should supply a maximum of 240 Watts a 15A fuse should supply a maximum of 180 Watts and a 10A fuse should supply a maximum of 120 Watts Exceeding these limits wi...

Page 49: ...he window lock feature allows only the driver to operate the power windows To lock out all the window controls except for the driver s press the left side of the control Press the right side to restore the window controls Accessory delay if equipped With accessory delay the window switches may be used for up to ten minutes after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position or until any door i...

Page 50: ...will automatically return to the normal clear state whenever the vehicle is placed in R Reverse This is to ensure a clear view when backing up Power side view mirrors To adjust your mirrors 1 Select L to adjust the left mirror or R to adjust the right mirror 2 Move the control in the direction you wish to tilt the mirror 3 Return to the center position to disable the adjust function Heated outside...

Page 51: ...mum travel Never adjust the accelerator and brake pedal with feet on the pedals while the vehicle is moving SPEED CONTROL IF EQUIPPED With speed control set you can maintain a speed of 48 km h 30 mph or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal Speed control does not work at speeds below 48 km h 30 mph Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding slipper...

Page 52: ...ph below your set speed on an uphill your speed control will disengage If the vehicle speed decreases to 40 km h 25 mph or less your speed control will disengage Disengaging speed control To disengage the speed control Depress the brake pedal Disengaging the speed control will not erase previous set speed Resuming a set speed Press the RES resume control and release it This will automatically retu...

Page 53: ...red speed When the vehicle reaches that speed press and release the SET ACC control Reducing speed while using speed control There are three ways to reduce a set speed Press and hold the CST control until you get to the desired speed then release the control Press and release the CST control to operate the Tap Down function Each tap will decrease the set speed by 1 6 km h 1 mph Depress the brake p...

Page 54: ...hade that can be opened or closed when the glass panel is shut To close the shade pull it toward the front of the vehicle Do not let children play with the moon roof They may seriously hurt themselves HOMELINK姞 WIRELESS CONTROL SYSTEM IF EQUIPPED The HomeLink威 Wireless Control System located on the driver s visor provides a convenient way to replace up to three hand held transmitters with a single...

Page 55: ...ogramming Do not program HomeLink威 with the vehicle parked in the garage Note Your vehicle may require the ignition switch to be turned to the ACC position for programming and or operation of the HomeLink威 It is also recommended that a new battery be placed in the hand held transmitter of the device being programmed to HomeLink威 for quicker training and accurate transmission of the radio frequency...

Page 56: ...inks rapidly for two seconds and then turns to a continuous red proceed with steps 6 through 8 to complete programming of a rolling code equipped device 6 At the garage door opener receiver motor head unit in the garage locate the learn or smart button usually near where the hanging antenna wire is attached to the unit 7 Press and release the learn or smart button The name and color of the button ...

Page 57: ... cycle your hand held transmitter until the frequency signal has been accepted by the HomeLink威 The red indicator light will flash slowly and then rapidly after HomeLink威 accepts the radio frequency signal Proceed with step 4 in the Programming section Operating the HomeLink姞 Wireless Control System To operate simply press and release the appropriate HomeLink威 button Activation will now occur for ...

Page 58: ...k威 button Do NOT release the button 2 The red indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds Without releasing the HomeLink威 button follow step 2 in the Programming section For questions or comments contact HomeLink威 at www homelink com or 1 800 355 3515 MESSAGE CENTER With the ignition in the ON position the message center located on your instrument cluster displays important vehicle inform...

Page 59: ...our tank under normal driving conditions Remember to turn the ignition OFF when refueling to allow this feature to correctly detect the added fuel The DTE function will display LOW FUEL LEVEL and sound a tone for one second when you have approximately 80 km 50 miles to empty If you RESET this warning message this display and tone will return within 10 minutes DTE is calculated using a running aver...

Page 60: ...to display a stabilized average 2 Record the highway fuel economy for future reference It is important to press the RESET control after setting the speed control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings Distance to empty Average fuel economy for FFV equipped vehicles Upon refueling your vehicle must determine the percentage of Ethanol in the fuel Until the percent of Ethanol is determined DTE...

Page 61: ...calibration may be necessary Refer to Compass zone calibration adjustment Most geographic areas zones have a magnetic north compass point that varies slightly from the northerly direction on maps This variation is four degrees between adjacent zones and will become noticeable as the vehicle crosses multiple zones A correct zone setting will eliminate this error Refer to Compass zone calibration ad...

Page 62: ... control repeatedly until the correct zone setting for your geographic location is displayed on the message center To exit the zone setting mode press and release the RESET control 8 Press the RESET control to start the compass calibration function 9 Slowly drive the vehicle in a circle less than 5 km h 3 mph until the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO CALIBRATE indicator changes to CALIBRATION COMPLETED This will...

Page 63: ... 2 Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of the language choices 3 Press and hold the RESET control to set the language choice Units English Metric 1 Select this function from the SETUP menu for the current units to be displayed 2 Press the RESET control to change from English to Metric 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Driver Controls 63 ...

Page 64: ...arnings System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your vehicle s operating systems In the event of a multiple warning situation the message center will cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for several seconds The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no more warning messages This allows you to use the full functionality ...

Page 65: ...heck Traction Control if equipped Data error DRIVER S DOOR AJAR Displayed when the driver s door is not completely closed PASSENGER DOOR AJAR Displayed when the passenger side door is not completely closed LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR Displayed when the left rear door is not completely closed RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR Displayed when the right rear door is not completely closed PARK BRAKE ENGAGED Displayed when ...

Page 66: ...g proper voltage If you are operating electrical accessories when the engine is idling at a low speed turn off as many of the electrical loads as possible If the warning stays on or comes on when the engine is operating at normal speeds have the electrical system checked as soon as possible OIL PRESSURE LOW Displayed when the engine oil level is low If this warning message is displayed check the l...

Page 67: ...re sensor Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a regular basis CENTER CONSOLE Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features These include Utility compartment Bin mat snap in Cupholders front and rear Coin holder slots Compact disc changer if equipped Tissue holder Rear A C vent Rear ashtray see your Ford Lincoln Mercury dealer to obtain rear ashtray ...

Page 68: ...ty must be paramount when using mobile communications equipment to avoid negating these benefits Mobile Communication Equipment includes but is not limited to cellular phones pagers portable email devices in vehicle communications systems telematics devices and portable two way radios A driver s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle The most important thing you can do to preven...

Page 69: ...der the license plate lamp shield To lock the liftgate and the liftgate window press the lock button down on the inside of the liftgate use the key the power door locks or the remote entry key fob The liftgate and liftgate window should be closed before driving your vehicle If not possible damage may occur to the liftgate lift cylinders and attaching hardware CARGO AREA FEATURES Storage compartmen...

Page 70: ... you and hook the sides into the notches right side first in the rear trim panels To reduce the risk of injuries the fasteners for cargo area cover must be properly attached to the mounting clips on the rear trim panels Do not place any objects on the cargo area cover They may obstruct your vision or strike occupants of the vehicle in the case of a sudden stop or collision The cover may cause inju...

Page 71: ...ard you 14 times 5 Let go of the right end cap The clutch will now engage and stop the shade from losing its spring tension 6 Unfold the vinyl and place it into the end cap slots 7 Insert the shade into the side mounting brackets and check to make sure that it operates properly The cover may cause injury in a sudden stop or accident if it is not securely installed Cargo utility hooks Sedan The uti...

Page 72: ...n 44 kg 100 lbs on the luggage rack To adjust cross bar position 1 Loosen the thumbwheel at both ends of the cross bar 2 Slide the cross bar to the desired location 3 Tighten the thumbwheel at both ends of the cross bar Use adjustable tie down loops to secure the load 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Driver Controls 72 ...

Page 73: ...ing the remote entry transmitter the keyless entry pad or the power door lock control while the accompanying door is open The UNLOCK feature will work again after a door has become ajar the ignition is turned to the 4 ON position or using the UNLOCK control on your remote entry transmitter or unlocking via the keyless entry keypad Deactivating activating power door lock disable feature You must co...

Page 74: ...opened from the inside The rear doors can be opened from the outside when the doors are unlocked The childproof locks are located on rear edge of each rear door and must be set separately for each door Setting the lock for one door will not automatically set the lock for both doors Move lock control up to engage the childproof lock Move control down to disengage childproof locks INTERIOR LUGGAGE C...

Page 75: ...unk and risk injury Children should be taught not to play in vehicles On hot days the temperature in the trunk or vehicle interior can rise very quickly Exposure of people or animals to these high temperatures for even a short time can cause death or serious heat related injuries including brain damage Small children are particularly at risk REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM IF EQUIPPED This device complies wit...

Page 76: ...to the dealership this will aid in troubleshooting the problem Unlocking the doors 1 Press and release to unlock the driver s door Note The interior lamps will illuminate 2 Press and release again within three seconds to unlock all the doors and the liftgate wagon The remote entry system comes with an illuminated entry feature This feature turns on the interior lamps for 25 seconds or until the ig...

Page 77: ...t all doors and liftgate wagon are closed Sounding a panic alarm Press to activate the alarm Both the horn will sound and the parklamps will flash for a maximum of 30 seconds Press again or turn the ignition to the 4 ON position to deactivate or wait for the alarm to timeout in 3 minutes Note The panic alarm will only operate when the ignition is in the 1 ACCESSORY 2 LOCK or 3 OFF position Opening...

Page 78: ... battery replacement Replacing lost remote entry transmitters If you would like to have your remote entry transmitter reprogrammed because you lost one or would like to buy additional remote entry transmitters you can either reprogram them yourself or take all remote entry transmitters to your authorized dealer for reprogramming How to reprogram your remote entry transmitters You must have all rem...

Page 79: ...hat the programming mode has been exited Illuminated entry The interior lamps illuminate when the remote entry system is used to unlock the door s or sound the personal alarm The illuminated entry system will turn off the interior lights if the ignition is turned to the 4 ON position or the remote transmitter lock control is pressed or the vehicle is locked using the keyless entry keypad if equipp...

Page 80: ...form the following power door lock sequence to enable disable the perimeter lamps feature 1 Turn the ignition to the 4 ON position then press the power door unlock control 3 times 2 Turn the ignition to the 3 OFF position then press the power door unlock control 3 times 3 Turn the ignition to the 4 ON position and within five seconds press the power door unlock control 2 times Note The horn will c...

Page 81: ...ress the 1 2 on the keypad 3 Enter your personal 5 digit code Each number must be entered within five seconds of each other 4 The doors will again lock then unlock to confirm that your personal keycode has been programmed to the module Tips Do not set a code that uses five of the same number Do not use five numbers in sequential order The factory set code will work even if you have set your own pe...

Page 82: ...then press the 5 6 control within five seconds To lock all doors press the 7 8 and the 9 0 at the same time You do not need to enter the keypad code first Autolock if equipped This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the following conditions are met all the doors are closed the engine is running you shift into gear putting the vehicle in motion and the vehicle s speed is greater tha...

Page 83: ...ealer The dealer can program your spare keys to your vehicle or you can program the keys yourself Refer to Programming spare keys for instructions on how to program the coded key Note The SecuriLock娂 passive anti theft system is not compatible with non Ford aftermarket remote start systems Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting problems and a loss of security protection Note Large met...

Page 84: ...rapidly have the system serviced by your dealer Replacement keys If your keys are lost or stolen and you don t have an extra coded key you will need to have your vehicle towed to a dealership The key codes need to be erased from your vehicle and new coded keys will need to be programmed Replacing coded keys can be very costly Store an extra programmed key away from the vehicle in a safe place to h...

Page 85: ...rogrammed key new valet key into the ignition 8 Turn the ignition from the 3 OFF position to the 4 ON position Keep the ignition in the 4 ON position for at least one second 9 Your new unprogrammed key is now programmed If the key has been successfully programmed it will start the vehicle s engine and the theft indicator light will illuminate for three seconds and then go out If the key was not su...

Page 86: ...ill chirp twice to indicate the hood each door and the liftgate wagon are closed the horn will chirp twice to indicate that either the hood a door or the liftgate wagon is still open Disarming the system You can disarm the system by any of the following actions Unlock the doors by pressing the control on your remote entry transmitter Unlock the doors by using the keyless entry pad Unlock the doors...

Page 87: ...equipped Head restraints help to limit head motion in the event of a rear collision The seats in your vehicle may have adjustable head restraints Adjust your head restraint so that it is located directly or as close as possible behind your head Raise the head restraint by pulling it upward To lower the head restraint Push the release control Push down on the head restraint 2004 Taurus tau Owners G...

Page 88: ...manual seat if equipped Never adjust the driver s seat or seatback when the vehicle is moving Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips Lift handle to move seat forward or backward Pull lever up to adjust seatback 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Seating and Safety Restraints 88 ...

Page 89: ... Press to raise or lower the rear portion of the seat cushion Press the control to move the seat forward backward up or down REAR SEATS 2nd seat Split folding rear seat if equipped Fold the seatback s down When raising the seatback s make sure you hear the seat latch into place 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Seating and Safety Restraints 89 ...

Page 90: ...ng cargo To open up the seat 1 Unlock the floor panel with the key then use the handle to fold the floor panel toward the front of the car 2 Remove the cargo cover The cargo cover must be removed or the seatback will not latch in the upright position 3 Lift the remote latch release on the left side of the compartment and fold the remaining floor panel until it latches Make sure the seatback is loc...

Page 91: ...verity sensor Front passenger sensing system Passenger Air Bag Off indicator light Restraints Control Module RCM with impact and safing sensors Restraint system warning light and back up tone The electrical wiring for the air bags crash sensor s safety belt pretensioners front safety belt usage sensors driver seat position sensor and indicator lights How does the personal safety system work The Pe...

Page 92: ...verity and modify the deployment strategy of the dual stage air bags and safety belt pretensioners Driver s seat position sensor The driver s seat position sensor allows your Personal Safety System to tailor the deployment level of the driver dual stage air bag based on seat position The system is designed to help protect smaller drivers sitting close to the driver air bag by providing a lower air...

Page 93: ...icator will light and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal air bag is off See Front passenger sensing system in the airbags section of this chapter Front safety belt usage sensors The front safety belt usage sensors detect whether or not the driver and front outboard passenger safety belts are fastened This information allows your Personal Safety System to tailor the air bag dep...

Page 94: ...t in the instrument cluster A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following The warning light will either flash or stay lit The warning light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on A series of five beeps will be heard The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and warning light are repaired If any of these things happen even intermitt...

Page 95: ...t Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that are designed to be used as a pair 1 Use the shoulder belt on the outside shoulder only Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm 2 Never swing the safety belt around your neck over the inside shoulder 3 Never use a single belt for more than one person Always transport chi...

Page 96: ...hich allows free shoulder belt length adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle movement For example if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner sharply or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 8 km h 5 mph or more the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers Automatic locking mode In this mode the shoulder ...

Page 97: ...rd Motor Company recommends that all safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware should be inspected by a qualified technician after any collision Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted Disconnect the combination lap shoulder belt and allow it to retract completely to disengage the automatic locki...

Page 98: ...in side airbag activation if the vehicle is equipped with side airbags A safety belt pretensioner is a device which tightens the webbing of the lap and shoulder belts in such a way that they fit more snugly against the body When the front airbags are activated the safety belt pretensioners for the driver and right front passenger seating positions will be activated when the respective safety belt ...

Page 99: ...o the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder To lower the shoulder belt height pull the control down and slide the height adjuster down To raise the height of the shoulder belt slide the height adjuster up To raise the height of the shoulder belt from its lowest position pull the control down and slide the height adjuster up Pull down on the height adjuster to make sure it is locked in plac...

Page 100: ...e rear facing seating positions When the adjust tongue of the lap shoulder combination seat belt is latched into the buckle the tongue will allow the lap portion to become shorter but locks the webbing in place to restrict it from becoming longer Before you reach and latch a combination lap and shoulder belt having an adjust tongue into the buckle you may have to lengthen the lap belt portion of i...

Page 101: ... the arm 2 Never swing the safety belt around your neck over the inside shoulder 3 Never use a single belt for more than one person Due to folding rear seats sometimes the buckles and tongues toward the center of the vehicle may be hidden by the rear edge of the seat cushion Pull them out so they will be accessible While you are fastened in the seat belt the shoulder belt adjusts to your movement ...

Page 102: ...warning lamp in the instrument cluster when the driver s and front passenger s safety belt is unbuckled The BeltMinder feature uses information from the passenger occupant classification sensor to determine if a front seat passenger is present and therefore potentially in need of a warning To avoid activating the BeltMinder feature for objects placed in the front passenger seat warnings will only ...

Page 103: ...elt becomes unbuckled for approximately 1 minute while the vehicle is traveling at least 5 km h 3 mph and more than 1 2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to ON The BeltMinder feature is activated the safety belt warning light illuminates and the warning chime sounds for 6 seconds every 30 seconds repeating for approximately 5 minutes or until the safety belts are buckl...

Page 104: ...any when no other vehicles are around Belts wrinkle my clothes Possibly but a serious crash can do much more than wrinkle your clothes particularly if you are unbelted The people I m with don t wear belts Set the example teen deaths occur 4 times more often in vehicles with TWO or MORE people Children and younger brothers sisters imitate behavior they see I have an air bag Air bags offer greater p...

Page 105: ...ing activating one seating position do not buckle the other position as this will terminate the process Read steps 1 4 thoroughly before proceeding with the deactivation activation programming procedure The driver and front passenger BeltMinder features can be deactivated activated by performing the following procedure Before following the procedure make sure that The parking brake is set The gear...

Page 106: ...ion assembly that can be added part number 611C22 This assembly can be obtained from your dealer at no cost Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety belt Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on the label Also use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short for you when fully extended Do not use extensions to change the fit o...

Page 107: ... outboard passenger from certain upper body injuries The term supplemental restraint means the air bags are intended as a supplement to the safety belts Air bags alone cannot protect as well as air bags plus safety belts in impacts for which the air bags are designed to deploy and air bags do not offer any protection in crashes for which they do not deploy The air bag supplemental restraint system...

Page 108: ...luding the driver should always properly wear their safety belts even when an air bag supplemental restraint system SRS is provided Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA recommends a minimum distance of at least 25 cm 10 inches between an occupant s chest and the dr...

Page 109: ...e vehicle including frame bumper front end body structure and tow hooks may affect the performance of the air bag system increasing the risk of injury Do not modify the front end of the vehicle Children and air bags Children must always be properly restrained Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positio...

Page 110: ...ticularly to occupants who are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time of air bag deployment Thus it is extremely important that occupants be properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while maintaining vehicle control Several air bag system components get hot after inflation Do not touch them after inflation If the air bag has deployed the air...

Page 111: ...grown child restraints or a very small person Even with the front passenger sensing system children 12 and under should be properly restrained in the back seat When the front passenger seat is occupied and the sensing system has turned off the passenger s frontal airbag the passenger airbag off or pass airbag off indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airb...

Page 112: ...vised to ride in the back seat After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on seatbelts it s very important that they continue to sit upright with their back against the seatback with their feet comfortably extended on the floor while the vehicle is still in motion Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury in a crash event For example if an occupant slouches lies down turns si...

Page 113: ...diness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on A series of five beeps will be heard The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and or light are repaired If any of these things happen even intermittently have the supplemental restraint system serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately Unless serviced the system may not function pr...

Page 114: ...e pillars between the front and rear doors Side air bags in combination with seat belts can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the front seats In certain lateral collisions the air bag on the side affected by the collision will be inflated even if the respective seat is no...

Page 115: ... FOR CHILDREN See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety restraints for children Also see Air bag supplemental restraint system SRS in this chapter for special instructions about using air bags Important child restraint precautions You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U S and Canada If small children generally children who are four years...

Page 116: ...s unattended in your vehicle Child booster seats Children outgrow a typical convertible or toddler seat when they weigh 40 pounds and are around 4 years of age Although the lap shoulder belt will provide some protection these children are still too small for lap shoulder belts to fit properly which could increase the risk of serious injury To improve the fit of both the lap and shoulder belt on ch...

Page 117: ...hield remove the shield and use the lap shoulder belt If a seating position has a low seat back and no head restraint a backless booster seat may place your child s head top of ear level above the top of the seat In this case move the backless booster to another seating position with a higher seat back and lap shoulder belts Those with a high back If with a backless booster seat you cannot find a ...

Page 118: ...o ride Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the booster seat Never put the shoulder belt under a child s arm or behind the back because it eliminates the protection for the upper part of the body and may increase the risk of injury or death in a collision Never use pillows books or towels to boost a child They can slide around and increase the likelihood of injury or death in a ...

Page 119: ...7 kg 60 pounds in a child restraint and to provide upper torso restraint for children up to 36 kg 80 pounds using an upper torso harness and a belt positioning booster Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether strap Install the child safety seat in a seating position with LATCH and tether anchors For more information on top tether straps and anchors refer to Attaching safe...

Page 120: ...acing child seat in the front seat move the seat all the way back Children 12 and under should be properly restrained in the rear seat whenever possible 1 Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt 2 Pull down on the shoulder belt and then grasp the shoulder belt and lap belt together 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Seating and Safe...

Page 121: ...om for that seating position until you hear a snap and feel the latch engage Make sure the tongue is latched securely by pulling on it 5 To put the retractor in the automatic locking mode grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is pulled out and a click is heard 6 Allow the belt to retract The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it is in the automatic ...

Page 122: ...re belt out If the retractor is not locked unbuckle the belt and repeat steps two through nine Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use Installing child safety seats in the lap belt seating positions 1 Lengthen the lap belt To lengthen the belt hold the tongue so that its bottom is perpendicular to the direction of webbing while sliding the tongue up the webbing 2 Plac...

Page 123: ... for information about ordering a tether strap The rear seats of your vehicle are equipped with built in tether strap anchors located behind the seats as described below The tether anchors in your vehicle are located under a cover marked with the tether anchor symbol shown with title The tether strap anchors in your vehicle are in the following positions shown from top view Attach the tether strap...

Page 124: ... selected seating position Sedan Wagon 4 Open the tether anchor cover On wagons snap the tether anchor cover off the anchor under the load floor 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Seating and Safety Restraints 124 ...

Page 125: ...f a child being injured in a collision greatly increases Attaching safety seats with LATCH Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children attachments for child seat anchors Some child safety seats have two rigid or webbing mounted attachments that connect to two anchors at certain seating positions in your vehicle This type of child seat eliminates the need to use seat belts to attach the child seat For f...

Page 126: ... shoulder belts and tether anchors for the outboard child seats Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the same anchor In a crash one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two child safety seat attachments and may break causing serious injury or death The lower anchors for child seat installation are located at the rear section of the rear seat between the cushion and seat back The LATCH a...

Page 127: ...ehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash Each time you use the safety seat check that the seat is properly attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor Try to tilt the child seat from side to side Also try to tug the seat forward Check to see if the anchors hold the seat in place If the safety seat is not anchored properly the risk of a child being injured in a crash greatly incr...

Page 128: ...s operational Warning lights illuminated with engine off Key position when driving 5 START cranks the engine Release the key as soon as the engine starts Preparing to start your vehicle Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system This system meets all Canadian Interference Causing Equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise Whe...

Page 129: ... vehicle immediately Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes Important safety precautions A computer system controls the engine s idle revolutions per minute RPM When the engine starts the idle RPM runs higher than normal in order to warm the engine If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically have the vehicle checked Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than 10 minutes at the hi...

Page 130: ...ure the gearshift is in P Park Turn the key to 4 ON without turning the key to 5 START Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly If a light fails to illuminate have the vehicle serviced P R N D D 1 1 2 3 4 5 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Driving 130 ...

Page 131: ...d85 ethanol High quality blends of winter grade Ed85 ethanol will produce satisfactory cold weather starting and driving results Cold starting performance can also be improved by using an engine block heater Engine block heaters are available as an option and can be obtained from your Ford dealer Consult the engine block heater section for proper use of the engine block heater If you experience co...

Page 132: ...ime open the windows at least 2 5 cm one inch or adjust the heating or air conditioning to bring in fresh air BRAKES Your service brakes are self adjusting Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for maintenance recommendations Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a performance concern with the vehicle s brake system In normal operation automotive brake systems may emit oc...

Page 133: ... compensates for this tendency The wheels are prevented from locking even when the brakes are firmly applied Using ABS In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the four wheel ABS is required apply continuous force on the brake The four wheel ABS will be activated immediately thus allowing you to retain steering control of your vehicle and providing there is sufficient space will enable you ...

Page 134: ...emergency Since the parking brake applies only the rear brakes the vehicle s stopping distance will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected Park brake warning chime Sounds when the parking brake is set the engine is running the vehicle speed is greater than 5 km h 3 mph and the transaxle is not in P Park or N Neutral The chime will shut off when the parking bra...

Page 135: ...inates when the system is off The Traction Control娂 system will automatically turn on every time the ignition is turned off and on The Traction Control娂 system should normally be left on If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road surface try switching the Traction Control娂 system off This may allow excess wheel spin to dig the vehicle out and enable a successful rocking m...

Page 136: ...k This vehicle is equipped with a brake shift interlock feature that prevents the gearshift lever from being moved from P Park when the ignition is in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P Park with ignition in the ON position and the brake pedal depressed 1 Apply the parking brake turn ignition key to LOCK then remove the key 2 Insert the ...

Page 137: ... in either Overdrive or D Drive Driving with the gearshift lever in Overdrive gives the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions For manual control start in 1 First and then shift manually If your vehicle is equipped with a console mounted gearshift lever you must press the thumb button on the side of the gearshift lever to move the gearshift lever from P Park To put your vehicle in gear st...

Page 138: ...hen your vehicle battery has been disconnected The Adaptive Transmission Strategy allows the transmission to relearn these operating parameters This learning process could take several transmission upshifts and downshifts during this learning process slightly firmer shifts may occur After this learning process normal shift feel and shift scheduling will resume P Park This position locks the transa...

Page 139: ...e This position allows for all forward gears except overdrive Provides more engine braking than Overdrive Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O D to other gears Examples city traffic hilly terrain heavy loads trailer towing and when engine braking is required 1 First Provides maximum engine braking Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever Will not downshift into 1 First at h...

Page 140: ... s air intake and severely damage your engine Once through the water always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause internal transmission damage VEHICLE LOADING WITH...

Page 141: ...ety Compliance Certification Label located on the driver s door or door pillar The total load on each axle must never exceed its GAWR Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle handling performance engine transmission and or structural damage serious damage to the vehicle loss of control and personal injury Note For trailer towing informa...

Page 142: ...ol and personal injury GCW Gross Combined Weight is the weight of the loaded vehicle GVW plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer GCWR Gross Combined Weight Rating is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer including all cargo and passengers that the vehicle can handle without risking damage Important The towing vehicle s braking system is rated for operation at GVWR ...

Page 143: ... lower load carrying capacities than the originals because they may lower the vehicle s GVWR and GAWR limitations Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result in serious damage to the vehicle and or personal injury TRAILER TOWING Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing ve...

Page 144: ...e Duratec Engine Model Passenger Load kg lbs Luggage Load kg lbs Max Trailer Wt kg lbs Sedan 5 340 750 0 590 1300 2 135 300 70 150 725 1600 2 135 300 0 795 1750 Wagon 5 340 750 70 150 455 1000 2 135 300 70 150 660 1450 2 135 300 0 725 1600 The above chart is based on the specified vehicle at a maximum GCW Vehicle weight Trailer weight equal to 2 470 kg 5 450 lbs Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR ...

Page 145: ...gency gives to you Do not attach safety chains to the bumper Trailer brakes Electric brakes and manual automatic or surge type trailer brakes are safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer s specifications The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations Do not connect a trailer s hydraulic brake system directly to your vehicle s brake system Your vehicle may not have en...

Page 146: ...topping with a trailer attached If you are driving down a long or steep hill shift to a lower gear Do not apply the brakes continuously as they may overheat and become less effective The trailer tongue weight should be 10 15 of the loaded trailer weight After you have traveled 80 km 50 miles thoroughly check your hitch electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts To aid in engine transmission...

Page 147: ... car hauling trailer In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle without access to wheel dollies car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle your vehicle can be flat towed all wheels on the ground under the following conditions Place the transmission in N Neutral Maximum speed is 56 km h 35 mph Maximum distance is 80 km 50 miles 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA Engli...

Page 148: ... non warranty related tows like accidents or getting stuck in the mud or snow are covered some exclusions apply such as impound towing or repossession Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for information on coverage period exact fuel amounts towing of your disabled vehicle emergency travel expense reimbursement travel planning benefits USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Complete the roa...

Page 149: ...stance expiring For more information and enrollment contact 1 877 294 2582 or visit our website at www ford ca HAZARD FLASHER The hazard flasher is located on the steering column just behind the steering wheel The hazard flashers will operate when the ignition is in any position or if the key is not in the ignition Push in the flasher control and all front and rear direction signals will flash Pre...

Page 150: ...wing procedure to reset the fuel pump shut off switch 1 Turn the ignition to the OFF position 2 Check the fuel system for leaks 3 If no fuel leak is apparent reset the fuel pump shut off switch by pushing in on the reset button 4 Turn the ignition to the ON position Pause for a few seconds and return the key to the OFF position 5 Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system 2004 Taurus tau Ow...

Page 151: ...olor COLOR Fuse rating Mini fuses Standard fuses Maxi fuses Cartridge Maxi fuses Fuse link cartridge 2A Grey Grey 3A Violet Violet 4A Pink Pink 5A Tan Tan 7 5A Brown Brown 10A Red Red 15A Blue Blue 20A Yellow Yellow Yellow Blue Blue 25A Natural Natural 30A Green Green Green Pink Pink 40A Amber Green Green 50A Red Red Red 60A Blue Yellow 70A Tan Brown 80A Natural Black Passenger compartment fuse pa...

Page 152: ...lay 3 Blower motor relay 4 Flasher relay 5 Not used 6 Not used 7 20A Rear defrost grid feed wagon only Rear defrost relay coil feed sedan only 8 40A Blower motor 9 Rear defrost relay 10 30A CB Power seats Delayed accessory Adjustable pedals 11 10A Right headlamp 12 15A Highbeam headlamps 13 Not used 14 Not used 15 10A Left headlamp 16 10A Not used spare 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt U...

Page 153: ...asher wagon only 23 30A Front wiper motor 24 Not used 25 20A Power point 26 20A Power locks Liftgate wagon Trunk sedan release 27 10A Anti lock Brake System ABS Speed control Traction control Brake shift interlock A C function switch manual A C only Temperature blend door manual A C only Defrost coil 28 15A Turn signals Back up lamps 29 20A Cigar lighter 30 10A Courtesy lighting Battery saver Powe...

Page 154: ... pump relay A C clutch 37 25A Autolamp Daytime Running Lamps DRL Flash to pass Headlamp switch 38 15A Horn Diagnostic connector OBD II 39 Not used 40 Not used 41 Not used 42 Not used CB Circuit Breaker Power distribution box The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment The power distribution box contains high current fuses that protect your vehicle s main electrical systems from...

Page 155: ...ollows Fuse relay location Fuse amp rating Power distribution box description 1 60A Fuse junction panel 2 30A Powertrain Control Module PCM 3 60A Fuse junction panel 4 10A CB Low speed cooling fan 5 40A Cooling fan 6 Not used 7 40A Starter relay Ignition switch 8 Not used 9 20A Cooling fan passenger side 10 20A Cooling fan driver side 11 50A Rear defrost sedan only 12 Not used 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10...

Page 156: ... 23 Starter motor relay 24 Fan relay 25 Wiper speed relay 26 10A Alternator 27 5A Rear control unit Antenna 28 15A HEGO sensor Transmission shift solenoid Canister vent A C clutch relay 29 Wiper park relay 30 Fuel pump relay 31 PCM power relay 32 Fan relay 33 A C clutch relay Mini Fuses Maxi Fuses CB Circuit breaker Relays Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced by ...

Page 157: ...ail causing you to lose control of the vehicle possibly injuring yourself or others When driving with the temporary spare tire do not use more than one temporary spare tire at a time exceed 80 km h 50 mph load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the Safety Compliance Label tow a trailer use tire chains drive through an automatic car wash because of the vehicle s reduced ground...

Page 158: ...iving with the dissimilar spare tire wheel do not Exceed 113 km h 70 mph Use more than one dissimilar spare tire wheel at a time Use commercial car washing equipment Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare tire wheel The usage of a dissimilar spare tire wheel can lead to impairment of the following Handling stability and braking performance Comfort and noise Ground clea...

Page 159: ...ure the parking brake is set then block in both directions the wheel that is diagonally opposite other side and end of the vehicle to the tire being changed If the vehicle slips off the jack you or someone else could be seriously injured 2 Place gearshift lever in P Park turn engine OFF block the diagonally opposite wheel then remove the spare tire jack and lug wrench In the sedan these are locate...

Page 160: ...tic nuts with the lug nut wrench 4 Remove the center ornament or wheel cover from the wheel with the tapered end of the wheel lug nut wrench that came with your vehicle Insert and twist the handle then pry against the wheel 5 Loosen each wheel lug nut one half turn counterclockwise but do not remove them until the wheel is raised off the ground 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA Englis...

Page 161: ... nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered 9 Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise 10 Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the order shown 11 Return the flat tire jack and lug wrench to their proper storage locations Make sure the jack is fastened so it does not rattle when you drive 12 Unblock...

Page 162: ...motion resulting in loss of control JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames sparks or lit cigarettes An explosion could result in injury or vehicle damage Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin eyes and clothing if contacted Do not attempt to push start your vehicle Automatic transmissions do not have push start capability doing so may ...

Page 163: ...l battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before you attach the battery cables Ensure that vent caps are tight and level 5 Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical surges Turn all other accessories off Connecting the jumper cables 1 Connect the positive jumper cable to the positive terminal of the discharged battery Note In the illustrations lightning bolts ar...

Page 164: ...he positive cable to the positive terminal of the assisting battery 3 Connect the negative cable to the negative terminal of the assisting battery 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Roadside Emergencies 164 ...

Page 165: ... be jumped A spark may cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery 5 Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades belts moving parts of both engines or any fuel delivery system parts Jump starting 1 Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at moderately increased speed 2 Start the engine of the disabled vehicle 3 Once the disabled vehicle has been started run both...

Page 166: ...verse order that they were connected 1 Remove the jumper cable from the ground metal surface 2 Remove the jumper cable on the negative connection of the booster vehicle s battery 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Roadside Emergencies 166 ...

Page 167: ...e from the positive terminal of the disabled vehicle s battery After the disabled vehicle has been started and the jumper cables removed allow it to idle for several minutes so the engine computer can relearn its idle conditions 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Roadside Emergencies 167 ...

Page 168: ...lt towing procedure If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment it is recommended that the front wheels drive wheels be placed on a dolly to prevent damage to the transaxle If your vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels on the ground Place the transaxle in N Neutral DO NOT exceed the distance of 80 km 50 miles DO NOT exceed the speed of 56 km h 35 mph If the vehicl...

Page 169: ... manual for all authorized tow truck operators Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for proper hook up and towing procedures for your vehicle 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Roadside Emergencies 169 ...

Page 170: ... with the service you are receiving follow these steps 1 Contact your Sales Representative or Service Advisor at your selling servicing dealership 2 If your inquiry or concern remains unresolved contact the Sales Manager Service Manager or Customer Relations Manager 3 If you require assistance or clarification on Ford Motor Company policies or procedures please contact the Ford Customer Relationsh...

Page 171: ...ny of Canada Limited P O Box 2000 Oakville Ontario L6J 5E4 1 800 387 9333 www lincolncanada com In order to help you service your Lincoln vehicle please have the following information available when contacting the Lincoln Centre Your telephone number home and business The name of the dealer and the city where the dealership is located The year and make of your vehicle The date of vehicle purchase ...

Page 172: ... after your Bumper to Bumper Warranty expires You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer There are several plans available in various time distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored to fit your own driving needs Ford ESP also offers reimbursement benefits for towing and rental coverage When you buy Ford ESP you receive Peace ...

Page 173: ...tems not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty including maintenance and wear items alleged personal injury property damage claims cases currently in litigation vehicles not used primarily for family personal or household purposes except in states where the Dispute Settlement Board is required to review commercial vehicles vehicles with non U S warranties Concerns are ineligible for review i...

Page 174: ...case The year make model and Vehicle Identification Number VIN listed on your vehicle ownership license The date of repair s and mileage at the time of occurrence s The current mileage The name of the dealer s who sold or serviced the vehicle A brief description of your unresolved concern A brief summary of the action taken by the dealer s and Ford Motor Company The names if known of all the peopl...

Page 175: ...one number Dispute Settlement Board P O Box 1424 Waukesha WI 53187 1424 1 800 428 3718 You may also contact the North American Customer Relationship Center at 1 800 392 3673 Ford TDD for the hearing impaired 1 800 232 5952 or by writing to the Center at the following address Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center P O Box 6248 Dearborn Michigan 48121 UTILIZING THE MEDIATION ARBITRATION PRO...

Page 176: ... fuel in your vehicle without proper conversion may damage the effectiveness of your emission control system and may cause engine knocking or serious engine damage Ford Motor Company Ford of Canada is not responsible for any damage caused by use of improper fuel In the United States using leaded fuel may also result in difficulty importing your vehicle back into the U S If your vehicle must be ser...

Page 177: ...nty after a reasonable number of attempts the manufacturer shall be required to either replace the vehicle with one substantially identical or repurchase the vehicle and reimburse the buyer in an amount equal to the actual price paid or payable by the consumer less a reasonable allowance for consumer use The consumer has the right to choose whether to receive a refund or replacement vehicle Califo...

Page 178: ...hway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA in addition to notifying Ford Motor Company If NHTSA receives similar complaints it may open an investigation and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles it may order a recall and remedy campaign However NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you your dealer or Ford Motor Company To contact NHTSA you may either ca...

Page 179: ...e vehicle Immediately remove items such as gasoline diesel fuel bird droppings and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle s paintwork and trim over time Remove any exterior accessories such as antennas before entering a car wash Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted surface if these substances come in contact with your vehicle wash off as soon as possibl...

Page 180: ...use damage to the finish on your wheel rims or covers Chemical strength cleaners or cleaning chemicals in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust and dirt could wear away the clearcoat finish over time Do not use hydrofluoric acid based or high caustic based wheel cleaners steel wool fuels or strong household detergent To remove tar and grease use Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover ZC 42...

Page 181: ...ulcan engine 3 0L Duratec engine Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running water in the running engine may cause internal damage 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Cleaning 181 ...

Page 182: ...hinner to clean any parts Wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl rubbing alcohol or windshield washer solution Be sure to replace wiper blades when they appear worn or do not function properly Do not use sharp objects such as a razor blade to clean the inside of the rear window or to remove decals as it may cause damage to the rear window defroster s heated grid lines INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CLUS...

Page 183: ...and affect performance of the side air bag in a collision LEATHER SEATS IF EQUIPPED Your leather seating surfaces have a clear protective coating over the leather To clean use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner ZC 11 A Dry the area with a soft cloth To help maintain its resiliency and color use the Motorcraft Deluxe Leather Care Kit ZC 11 D available from your authorized...

Page 184: ...otorcraft Custom Vinyl Protectant not available in Canada ZC 40 A Motorcraft Vinyl Cleaner Canada only CXC 93 Motorcraft Vinyl Conditioner Canada only CXC 94 Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner not available in Canada ZC 11 A Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover ZC 42 Motorcraft Extra Strength Upholstery Cleaner not available in Canada ZC 41 Motorcraft Custom Bright Metal Cleaner ZC 15 Motorcraf...

Page 185: ...pecifications Motorcraft parts are designed and built to provide the best performance in your vehicle PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE Do not work on a hot engine Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed space unless you are sure you have enough ventilation Keep all open flames and other burning cigarettes material aw...

Page 186: ... and do not remove it while the engine is running OPENING THE HOOD 1 Inside the vehicle pull the hood release handle located under the bottom of the instrument panel 2 Go to the front of the vehicle and release the auxiliary latch located in the center between the hood and the grille 3 Lift the hood until the lift cylinders hold it open 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Ma...

Page 187: ...k 2 Brake fluid reservoir 3 Air filter assembly 4 Battery 5 Engine oil filler cap 6 Engine oil dipstick 7 Power steering fluid reservoir 8 Engine coolant reservoir 9 Windshield washer fluid reservoir 7 8 6 5 4 3 9 1 2 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Maintenance and Specifications 187 ...

Page 188: ...id reservoir 3 Air filter assembly 4 Battery 5 Engine oil dipstick 6 Engine oil filler cap 7 Engine coolant reservoir 8 Windshield washer fluid reservoir 9 Power steering fluid reservoir 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Maintenance and Specifications 188 ...

Page 189: ...ts should be used only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the vehicle s paint finish wiper blades or washer system If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 4 5 C 40 F use washer fluid with antifreeze protection Failure to use washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident ...

Page 190: ...E OIL Checking the engine oil Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals for checking the engine oil 1 Make sure the vehicle is on level ground 2 Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan 3 Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Maintenance ...

Page 191: ...t yourself from engine heat 3 0L Vulcan engine 3 0L Duratec engine 5 Locate and carefully remove the engine oil indicator dipstick 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Maintenance and Specifications 191 ...

Page 192: ...age Some oil must be removed from the engine by a service technician 7 Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated Adding engine oil 1 Check the engine oil For instructions refer to Checking the engine oil in this chapter 2 If the engine oil level is not within the normal range add only certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity Remove the engine oil filler cap and use a funnel ...

Page 193: ...nd durability performance meeting all requirements for your vehicle s engine Do not use supplemental engine oil additives cleaners or other engine treatments They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that is not covered by Ford warranty Change your engine oil according to the appropriate schedule listed in the scheduled maintenance guide Ford production and aftermarket Motorcraft oil fi...

Page 194: ...ery needs water often have the charging system checked If your battery has a cover shield make sure it is reinstalled after the battery has been cleaned or replaced For longer trouble free operation keep the top of the battery clean and dry Also make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to the battery terminals If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals remove the cable...

Page 195: ...r from the battery When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and performance To begin this process 1 With the vehicle at a complete stop set the parking brake 2 Put the gearshift in P Park turn off all accessories and start the engine 3 Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature ...

Page 196: ...ion testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester 014 R1060 The level of coolant should be maintained at the cold full of cold fill range level in the coolant reservoir If the level falls below add coolant per the instructions in the Adding engine coolant section Your vehicle was factory filled with a 50 50 engine coolant and water con...

Page 197: ...erval the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty If the reservoir is low or empty add engine coolant to the reservoir Refer to Adding engine coolant in this chapter Note Automotive fluids are not interchangeable do not use engine coolant antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified function and vehicle location Adding engine coolant When adding coolant make sure it is a...

Page 198: ... coolant can result in degraded corrosion protection A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added in case of emergency to reach a vehicle service location In this instance the cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50 50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible Water alone without engine coolant can cause engine damage from corrosion overheating ...

Page 199: ...t 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 to Checking 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 Wheneve...

Page 200: ...tion 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 coo...

Page 201: ...andled Fuel ethanol and gasoline may contain benzene which is a cancer causing agent Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel Extinguish all smoking materials and any open flames before fueling your vehicle Always turn off the vehicle before fueling Automotive fuels can be harmful or fatal if swallowed Fuels such as gasoline and ethanol are highly toxic and if swallowed can c...

Page 202: ...he engine type identifier 8th character If your vehicle is an FFV then the character will be labeled as a 2 Pure ethanol is the alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in liquor beer and wine It is distilled from the fermentation of plants such as field corn and sugar cane When ethanol is used in the making of motor fuels a small amount of a bad tasting chemical is added to discourage beverage use...

Page 203: ...r Place approved fuel container on the ground DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle including the cargo area Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while filling DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill position Fuel Filler Cap Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1 8 turn on off feature When fueling your vehicle...

Page 204: ...ssible personal injury Choosing the right fuel Use only UNLEADED FUEL The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle If your vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle FFV use only UNLEADED FUEL and E85 FUEL ETHANOL The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle Do not use fuel containing methanol It can damage critical fuel system components Your vehi...

Page 205: ...available Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the World wide Fuel Charter It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane rating Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your ...

Page 206: ...fuel You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to the engine The indicator may come on For more information on the Service engine soon indicator refer to the Instrument Cluster chapter Fuel Filter For fuel filter replacement see your dealer or a qualified service technician Refer to the scheduled maintena...

Page 207: ... the full amount of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank For consistent results when filling the fuel tank Turn the engine ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running Use the same filling rate setting low medium high each time the tank is filled Allow no more than 2 a...

Page 208: ...s Smooth moderate operation can yield up to 10 savings in fuel Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel economy Idling for long periods of time greater than one minute may waste fuel Anticipate stopping slowing down may eliminate the need to stop Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy Slow down gradually Driving at reasonable speeds traveling at 88 km h 55 mph u...

Page 209: ...l economy Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first 12 16 km 8 10 miles of driving Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to driving on hilly terrain Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal Close windows for high...

Page 210: ...ne Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability Do not park idle or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry ground cover The emission system heats up the engine compartment and exhaust system which can start a fire Illumination of the indicator charging system warning light or the temperature warning light fluid leaks strange odors smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that t...

Page 211: ...y other temporary malfunctions present the Check engine Service engine soon light should turn off A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city highway driving No additional vehicle service is required If the Check engine Service engine soon light remains on have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity Readiness for Inspection Maintenance I M testing In ...

Page 212: ...atec engine Check the power steering fluid Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval schedules If adding fluid is necessary use only MERCON威 ATF 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 wh...

Page 213: ... put the dipstick back in the reservoir 3 0L DOHC V6 Duratec engine 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 within 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 FULL HOT MIN M...

Page 214: ...ve the vehicle until it is warmed up approximately 30 km 20 miles 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 30 km 20 miles or until it reaches normal operating temperature 2 Park the vehicle on a level...

Page 215: ...ge High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels Before adding any fluid make sure the correct type is used The type of fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the Lubricant specifications section in this chapter Use of a non approved automatic transmission fluid may cause internal transaxle component damage If necess...

Page 216: ...575 104 c 2 U S Department of Transportation Tire quality grades The U S Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course For example a tire g...

Page 217: ...ading either separately or in combination can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure TIRES Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service but they must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them Glossary of tire terminology Tire label A label showing the OE Original Equipment tire sizes recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle can carr...

Page 218: ...e tire and also provides a U S DOT Tire Identification Number for safety standard certification and in case of a recall Information on P type tires P215 65R15 95H is an example of a tire size load index and speed rating The definitions of these items are listed below Note that the tire size load index and speed rating for your vehicle may be different than this example 1 P Indicates a tire designa...

Page 219: ...nd inflation pressure These speed ratings may need to be adjusted for the difference in conditions The ratings range from 159 km h 99 mph to 299 km h 186 mph These ratings are listed in the following chart Note You may not find this information on all tires because it is not required by federal law Letter rating Speed rating km h mph Q 159 km h 99 mph R 171 km h 106 mph S 180 km h 112 mph T 190 km...

Page 220: ...hen tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course For example a tire graded 150 would wear one and one half 11 2 times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100 Traction The traction grades from highest to lowest are AA A B and C The grades represent the tire s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government tes...

Page 221: ...t is intended for service on light trucks 2 Load Range Load Inflation Limits Indicates the tires load carrying capabilities and its inflation limits 3 Maximum Load Dual kg lbs at kPa psi cold Indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual a dual is defined as when four tires are put on the rear axle a total of six or more tires on the vehicle 4 Maximum Load Single kg ...

Page 222: ...in inches If you change your wheel size you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel diameter Location of the tire label You will find a tire label containing tire inflation pressure by tire size and other important information located on the B Pillar or the driver s door TIRE CARE Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can also cause tires to wear abnormally Here are some of the...

Page 223: ...If you are checking tire pressure when the tire is hot i e driven more than 1 6 km 1mile never bleed or reduce air pressure The tires are hot from driving and it is normal for pressures to increase above recommended cold pressures A hot tire at or below recommended cold inflation pressure could be significantly under inflated To check the pressure in your tire s 1 Make sure the tires are cool mean...

Page 224: ... a qualified technician at a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer check the wheel alignment periodically Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by a qualified technician at a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer Front wheel drive FWD vehicles and those with an independent rear suspension require alignment of all four wheels The ti...

Page 225: ... vehicles front tires at top of diagram Rear Wheel Drive RWD vehicles Four Wheel Drive 4WD vehicles front tires at top of diagram 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Maintenance and Specifications 225 ...

Page 226: ...an reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse wet snowy etc conditions Visually check your tires for uneven wear looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas Also check for signs of tire damage When the tread is worn down to 4 mm 1 16th of an inch tires must be replaced to prevent your vehicle from skidding and hydroplaning Built in treadwear indicators or wear bars which ...

Page 227: ...ve questions regarding tire replacement see an authorized Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size type tread design brand load carrying capacity and speed rating because it can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control vehicle rollover personal injury and death You s...

Page 228: ...e nearest repair facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you currently have on your vehicle The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in rain and snow However in some climates you may need to use snow tires and chains If you need to use snow tires and chains it is recommended tha...

Page 229: ...stomer warranty may be voided for any damage to the engine if the correct air filter element is not used 2 The PCV valve is a critical emission component It is one of the items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide and is essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system For PCV valve replacement see your dealer or a qualified service technician Refer to the Sch...

Page 230: ...craft High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid All Between MAX and MIN on reservoir Engine coolant1 Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant yellow colored 3 0L V6 Vulcan engine 11 0L 11 6 quarts 3 0L V6 Duratec engine 10 0L 10 6 quarts Engine oil includes filter change 2 Motorcraft SAE 5W 20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil US Motorcraft SAE 5W 20 Super Premium Motor Oil Canada 3 0L V6 Vul...

Page 231: ... 4 quarts Windshield washer fluid Front Motorcraft Premium Windshield Washer Concentrate All 2 8L 94 7 oz Windshield washer fluid Rear Motorcraft Premium Windshield Washer Concentrate Wagon 1 8L 60 9 oz 1 Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle 2 Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory Engine oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification WSS M2C1...

Page 232: ... Motorcraft XL 1 none Automatic transaxle 4F50N 1 Motorcraft MERCON威V ATF XT 5 QM MERCON威V Engine oil Motorcraft SAE 5W 20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil US Motorcraft SAE 5W 20 Super Premium Motor Oil Canada XO 5W20 QSP US CXO 5W20 LSP12 Canada WSS M2C153 H and API Certification Mark Constant velocity joints CV Joint Grease High Temp XG 5 WSS M2C258 A1 Engine coolant Motorcraft Premium Gold En...

Page 233: ...nsmission that requires use of the MERCON威 type fluid However these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that require the MERCON威 V type fluid MERCON威 and MERCON威 V type fluids are not interchangeable DO NOT mix MERCON威 and MERCON威 V Use of a transmission fluid that indicates dual usage MERCON威 and MERCON威 V in an automatic transmission application requiring MERCON威 may cause transmissio...

Page 234: ... 197 6 5022 197 7 2 Overall width 1855 73 0 1855 73 0 3 Overall height 1426 56 1 1468 57 8 4 Wheelbase 2757 108 5 2757 108 5 5 Track Front 1566 61 6 1566 61 6 5 Track Rear 1577 62 1 1570 61 8 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Maintenance and Specifications 234 ...

Page 235: ...2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Maintenance and Specifications 235 ...

Page 236: ...ertification label is located on the front door latch pillar on the driver s side Vehicle identification number VIN The vehicle identification number is attached to a metal tag and is located on the driver side instrument panel Please note that in the graphic XXXX is representative of your vehicle identification number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Ma...

Page 237: ...he last eight numbers of the vehicle identification number is stamped on the engine block and transaxle Transmission Transaxle code designations You can find a transmission transaxle code on the vehicle certification label which is located on the door pillar The following table tells you which transmission or transaxle each code represents 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus...

Page 238: ...H One speed electric D Automatic 5 speed overdrive 5R44E R Automatic 5 speed overdrive 5R55S Passenger car application Code Transmission Transaxle Description Front wheel drive manual transaxle R 5 speed overdrive MTX75 W 5 speed overdrive M5 Front wheel drive automatic transaxle A 4 speed overdrive 4F27E E 4 speed overdrive 4FE J 3 speed Mazda L 4 speed overdrive AX4S P 4 speed overdrive 4F20E X ...

Page 239: ...ssion Transaxle Description Rear wheel drive automatic transmission U 4 speed overdrive 4R70W A 5 speed overdrive 5R55N 2004 Taurus tau Owners Guide post 2002 fmt USA English fus Maintenance and Specifications 239 ...

Page 240: ...0 miles whichever occurs first or the remainder of your new vehicle limited warranty This means that Genuine Ford Accessories purchased along with your new vehicle and installed by the dealer are covered for the full length of your New Vehicle s Limited Warranty 3 years or 60 000 km 36 000 miles whichever occurs first Contact your dealer for details and a copy of the warranty Not all accessories a...

Page 241: ...ity of the vehicle or of the front or rear axle GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety Compliance Certification label Consult your dealer for specific weight information The Federal Communications Commission FCC and Canadian Radio Telecommunications Commission CRTC regulate the use of mobile communications systems such as two way radios telephones and theft alarms that are equipped with radio tra...

Page 242: ...xle lubricant specifications 232 B Battery 194 acid treating emergencies 194 jumping a disabled battery 162 maintenance free 194 replacement specifications 229 servicing 194 BeltMinder 102 Brakes 132 anti lock 133 anti lock brake system ABS warning light 133 fluid checking and adding 214 fluid refill capacities 230 fluid specifications 232 233 lubricant specifications 232 233 parking 134 shift int...

Page 243: ...d Canada 176 Getting roadside assistance 148 Getting the service you need 170 Ordering additional owner s literature 177 The Dispute Settlement Board 172 Utilizing the Mediation Arbitration Program 175 D Daytime running lamps see Lamps 30 Defrost rear window 28 Dipstick automatic transmission fluid 214 engine oil 190 Doors lubricant specifications 232 Driving under special conditions 140 through w...

Page 244: ...205 running out of fuel 206 safety information relating to automotive fuels 201 Fuel flex fuel vehicle FFV 201 204 Fuses 151 G Garage Door Opener see Homelink wireless control system 54 Gas cap see Fuel cap 203 Gas mileage see Fuel economy 206 Gauges 13 H Hazard flashers 149 Headlamps 30 aiming 31 32 autolamp system 30 bulb specifications 35 daytime running lights 30 flash to pass 31 high beam 31 ...

Page 245: ...i lock brakes ABS 133 Load limits 140 Locks childproof 74 doors 73 Lubricant specifications 232 233 Luggage rack 72 Lumbar support seats 88 M Message center 58 59 english metric button 63 system check button 64 warning messages 64 Mirrors 48 49 automatic dimming rearview mirror 49 heated 50 side view mirrors power 50 Moon roof 54 Motorcraft parts 206 229 O Octane rating 204 Oil see Engine oil 190 ...

Page 246: ...ety belt maintenance 106 warning light and chime 101 102 Safety seats for children 118 Seat belts see Safety restraints 91 Seats 87 child safety seats 118 front seats 88 Servicing your vehicle 185 Setting the clock AM FM stereo 15 AM FM CD 19 AM FM Tape 17 Spare tire see Changing the Tire 157 Spark plugs specifications 229 233 234 Specification chart lubricants 232 233 Speed control 51 Starting a ...

Page 247: ...specifications 232 Trunk 69 71 74 remote release 69 77 Turn signal 33 V Vehicle dimensions 234 Vehicle Identification Number VIN 236 Vehicle loading 140 Ventilating your vehicle 132 W Warning chimes 134 Warning lights see Lights 10 Washer fluid 189 Water Driving through 140 Windows power 49 rear wiper washer 46 Windshield washer fluid and wipers 46 checking and adding fluid 189 liftgate reservoir ...

Page 248: ...248 ...

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