User manual FORD TAURUS-1997

[. . . ] Contents Before driving Introduction Instrumentation Controls and features Seating and safety restraints Starting and driving Starting Driving Roadside emergencies Servicing Maintenance and care Capacities and specifications Reporting safety defects Index 118 156 168 169 78 84 99 2 3 14 35 1 Introduction ICONS Indicates a warning. Read the following section on Warnings for a full explanation of them. Indicates that vehicle information related to recycling and other environmental concerns will follow. Correct vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards this aim. [. . . ] 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. 85 Driving Pull release handle toward you to release parking brake. Driving with the parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly and reduce fuel economy. SEMI-ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL (TAURUS SHO ONLY) Firm shock absorber performance enhances ride and handling during certain road conditions. The shock absorber is returned to a softer performance when driver or road induced motion ceases. TRANSAXLE Brake-shift interlock This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is pressed. If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park) with the brake pedal depressed: 1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the key. If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has blown and the vehicle's brake lamps may not be operating properly. 86 Driving Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps are working. If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse gears in a steady pattern. Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes, because it could damage the vehicle. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle (column gearshift without O/D off switch) Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully (Overdrive) or D automatic operation in either (Drive). Driving with the shift selector in gives the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions. To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal, then move gearshift out of P (Park). Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever from position to position. If you do not hold the brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone. 87 Driving Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle (column or console gearshift with O/D off switch) Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully automatic operation in either D (Overdrive) or with the O/D OFF switch depressed. Driving with the shift selector in D (Overdrive) gives the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions. If your vehicle is equipped with a console mounted gearshift, you must press the thumb button on the side of the gearshift to move the gearshift from P (Park). 88 Driving Understanding gearshift positions P (Park) Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park). This locks the transaxle and prevent the front wheels from rotating. P P R N D D 1 RND21 R (Reverse) With the gearshift in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward. You should always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R (Reverse). P P R N D D 1 RND21 89 Driving N (Neutral) With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position, the vehicle can be started and is free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position. P P R N D D 1 RND21 (Overdrive -- column shift without O/D OFF switch) or D (Overdrive -- column or console mounted gearshift with O/D off switch) The overdrive position PRNDD1 is the normal driving P RND21 position for an automatic overdrive transaxle. It works the same way as D (Drive) or D (Overdrive -- with the O/D OFF switch not depressed) works, but shifts to a fourth gear -- an overdrive gear -- when your vehicle cruises at a constant speed for any length of time. [. . . ] P BRAKE P RND21 ABS FM 12 AMC AM FM BL ST H M w RF BASS TREB VOL PUSH-ON SCAN SEEK TUNE 2 3 EJECT REW FF BAL 4 w TAPE SIDE 5 6 TAPE R-DEF FADE 1 LO OFF VENT A/C HI MAX A/C Clean instrument panel with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth. Any cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of the instrument panel should be avoided. The dull finish in this area is to help protect the driver from undesirable windshield reflection. Cleaning the interior fabric Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner. [. . . ]