Ford 1998 Taurus Maintenance Guide

General maintenance information

Vehicle Identification Number: u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u

Owner name:

Address:

Phone:

Selling dealer name:

Address:

Phone:

Your satisfaction is our #1 goal. If you have questions or concerns about your vehicle, we suggest you follow these steps:

1. Contact your Sales Representative or Service Advisor at your selling/servicing dealership.

2. If the inquiry or concern remains unresolved, contact the

Sales Manager or Service Manager at the dealership.

3. If the inquiry or concern cannot be resolved at the dealership level, please contact the Ford Customer Assistance Center.

In the US, contact:

Ford Motor Company

Customer Assistance Center

300 Renaissance Center

P.O. Box 43360

Detroit, Michigan 48243

1-800-392-3673 (FORD)

TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952

In Canada, contact:

Customer Assistance Center

Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited

P.O. Box 2000

Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4

1-800-565-3673 (FORD)

Outside the US or Canada, contact:

Ford Motor Company

Worldwide Direct Market Operations

1555 Fairlane Drive

Allen Park, Michigan 48101 U.S.A.

Telephone: (313) 594-4857

Fax: (313) 390-0804

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Table of contents

General maintenance information

Normal schedule

Severe duty schedule

Owner maintenance checks

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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.

Copyright r 1997 Ford Motor Company

Elemental Chlorine Free

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GENERAL MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

This Service Guide indicates the scheduled maintenance required for your vehicle. Proper maintenance guards against major repair expenses resulting from neglect or inadequate maintenance, and may help increase the value you receive when you sell or trade your vehicle.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the scheduled maintenance is performed and that the materials used meet Ford engineering specifications.

Failure to perform scheduled maintenance, as specified in the Service Guide, will invalidate warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of maintenance. Make sure that receipts for completed maintenance work are retained with the vehicle and confirmation of maintenance work is always entered in your Service Guide.

Your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership, or Ford or

Lincoln-Mercury Auto Care service center, has factory-trained technicians who can perform the required maintenance using genuine Ford parts. The dealership looks forward to meeting your every service need to maximize your satisfaction with your vehicle.

MAINTENANCE: AN INVESTMENT

Maintenance is an investment that will pay dividends in the form of improved reliability, durability and resale value.

To assure the durability of your vehicle and its emission control systems, it is necessary that scheduled maintenance be performed at the designated intervals.

Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford replacement parts. If other than Ford or Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized remanufactured parts are used for maintenance replacements or for the service of components affecting emission control, the non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine

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Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability. It is the owner’s responsibility to determine the equivalency of such parts. Please consult your “Warranty Information Booklet” for complete warranty information.

NO COST PCV VALVE REPLACEMENT

The PCV valve is a critical emission component. Your dealer will replace the valve at no cost at 96,000 kilometers (60,000 miles), except in Canada and

California.

PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE CHECK

❑ Pre-Delivery Service Inspection Completed

DEALER AUTHORIZATION

Date:

Mileage:

WHAT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE DO YOU

FOLLOW?

Normal Schedule

Follow the Normal Schedule for most normal everyday driving conditions.

Severe Duty Schedule

Follow the Severe Duty Schedule if your driving habits

FREQUENTLY

include one or more of the following conditions:

Driving at top speeds for long distances during hot conditions.

Short trips in areas of high humidity or freezing conditions.

Police, taxi or delivery usage.

Driving in dusty/sandy environments for long periods.

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Normal schedule

Items for Emission Control Service are shown in italics .

For items marked with a number in parentheses such as (1), see footnote at the end of this section.

8,000 KILOMETERS (5,000 MILES)

❑ Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑ Rotate tires and adjust air pressure.


Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:



❑ Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and clamps; check coolant strength every 24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months.


❑ Replace cabin air filter.


Date:

Mileage:

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Normal schedule




Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:





❑ Inspect exhaust heat shields.

❑ Replace air cleaner filter every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 30 months. If operating in dusty conditions, consult your dealer.

❑ Change automatic transaxle fluid.

❑ Inspect front and rear brakes. (1)

❑ Replace spark plugs (3.0L Flexible Fuel

Vehicle—FFV only)


Date:

Mileage:

6

Normal schedule





Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:







Date:

Mileage:



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Normal schedule

❑ Change engine coolant initially at 80,000 km

(50,000 miles) or 48 months. Thereafter, change engine coolant every 50,000 km

(30,000 miles) or 36 months.


Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:



❑ Replace air cleaner filter every 48,000 km

(30,000 miles) or 30 months. If operating in dusty conditions, consult your dealer.


❑ Replace spark plugs (3.0L-Flexible Fuel

Vehicles—FFV only).


❑ Inspect exhaust heat shield(s).



❑ Inspect accessory drive belt(s) (3.0L-4V engines)

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Normal schedule


Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:







Date:

Mileage:

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Normal schedule



❑ Change engine coolant every 48,000 km



Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:





(30,000 miles) or 30 months. If operating in dusty conditions, consult your dealer.




❑ Inspect accessory drive belt(s) (3.0L-4V engines)

❑

Replace spark plugs (3.0L Flexible Fuel

Vehicles—FFV only)

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Normal schedule



Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:



❑ Replace spark plugs (except 3.0L FFV).

❑ Replace PCV valve (2).

❑ Inspect accessory drive belt(s) (3.0L and 3.4L

SHO engines)

❑ Check valve lash and adjust as required (3.4L

SHO only).


Date:

Mileage:





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Normal schedule



Date:

Mileage:



❑ Change engine coolant every 48,000 km



Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:



❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and clamps; check coolant strength every 24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months.


(30,000 miles) or 30 months. If operating in dusty conditions, consult your dealer .



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Normal schedule


❑ Inspect accessory drive belt(s) 3.0L-4V, 3.0L

and 3.4L SHO engines).


❑ Replace spark plugs (3.0L Flexible Fuel Vehicles only).


Date:

Mileage:

(1) If your driving habits include continuous stop-and-go driving or driving in hilly areas, more frequent intervals may be required.

(2) At 160,000 kilometers (100,000 miles) your dealer will replace the PCV valve at no cost on

Duratec engines except on Canada and California vehicles.

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Severe duty schedule

For items marked with a number in parentheses such as (1), see footnote at the end of this section.




Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:


❑

Change engine oil and replace oil filter.

❑ Inspect front and rear brakes (1).


Date:

Mileage:

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Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:


❑




Date:

Mileage:





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Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:


❑


❑ Inspect engine cooling system, hoses and clamps; check coolant strength every 25,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months.

❑ Replace sparks plugs (3.0L Flexible Fuel

Vehicle—FFV only).

❑ Replace air cleaner filter.



❑ Replace air cleaner filter.


Date:

Mileage:




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Date:

Mileage:



❑ Inspect front and rear brakes.(1)


Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:






Date:

Mileage:



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Date:

Mileage:



❑

Change engine coolant intially at 80,000 km

(48,000 miles) Thereafter, change coolant every

50,000 km (30,000 miles) or 36 months.



Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:

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Date:

Mileage:




❑ Replace spark plugs (3.0L and 3.4L SHO engines, 3.0L Flexible Fuel Vehicles—FFV)

❑ Inspect accessory drive belt(s) (3.0L-4V engines).







Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:

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Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:





Date:

Mileage:



❑

Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and clamps; check coolant strength every 25,000 km (15,000 miles) or 12 months.



Date:

Mileage:

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❑ Change engine coolant every 50,000 km (30,000 miles) or 36 months.


Date:

Mileage:


❑



Date:

Mileage:






Date:

Mileage:




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Date:

Mileage:



❑ Replace spark plugs (3.0L Flexible Fuel

Vehicle—FFV only)

❑ Inspect accessory drive belts (3.0L-4V, 3.0L and

3.4L SHO engines).

❑

Replace air cleaner filter.




❑ Replace PCV valve (2).


Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:




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Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:


❑ Check valve lash and adjust as required

(3.4L SHO engine only).

❑ Replace spark plugs (3.0L-4V engines).


Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:



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Date:

Mileage:




❑ Change engine coolant every 50,000 km (30,000 miles) or 36 months.


Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:




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Date:

Mileage:




Date:

Mileage:


❑


❑ Replace spark plugs (3.0L Flexible Fuel

Vehicle—FFV only, 3.0L and 3.4L SHO engines)

❑ Inspect accessory drive belt(s) 3.0L-4V, 3.0L

and 3.4L SHO engines)


❑ Inspect engine cooling system, hoses and clamps; and check strength every 25,000 km






Date:

Mileage:

(1) If your driving habits include continuous stop-and-go driving or driving in hilly areas, more frequent intervals may be required.

(2) At 150,000 km (90,000 miles) your dealer will replace the PCV valve at no cost on except

California and Canada vehicles.

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Owner maintenance checks


Listed below are vehicle maintenance checks and inspections that should be performed by the owner or qualified service technician at the indicated intervals. Service information and supporting specifications are provided in the “Owner Guide”.

Any adverse conditions should be brought to the attention of your dealer or qualified service technician for expert service advice as soon as possible.

The owner maintenance checks are generally not covered by warranties and you may be charged for labor, parts and lubricants used.

WHEN YOU STOP FOR FUEL:

❑ Check the engine oil level.

❑ Check coolant level in the recovery bottle.

❑ Check the windshield washer fluid level.

❑ Look for low or under-inflated tires.

WHILE OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE:

❑ Note any changes in the sound of the exhaust or any smell of exhaust fumes in the vehicle.

❑ Check for vibrations in the steering wheel. Notice any increased steering effort or looseness in the steering wheel.

❑ Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly or

“pulls” to one side of the road.

❑ When stopping, listen and check for strange sounds,

pulling to one side

, increased brake pedal travel or “hard to push” brake pedal.

❑ If any slipping or changes in the operation of your transaxle occur, check the transaxle fluid level.

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❑ Check automatic transaxle PARK function.

❑ Check parking brake.

❑ Check for fluid leaks under your vehicle (water dripping from the air conditioning system after use is normal).

AT LEAST MONTHLY:

❑ Check the tire pressure - check tires when cold, not after a long drive.

❑ Check coolant level in the coolant recovery reservoir.

❑ Check the operation of all exterior lamps, including the brake lamps, turn signals and hazard warning flashers.

AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR:

(I.E., EVERY SPRING AND FALL)

❑ Check radiator, heater and air-conditioning hoses for leaks or damage.

❑ Check windshield washer spray and wiper operation. Check and replace worn wiper blades.

❑ Check for worn tires and loose wheel lug nuts.

❑ Check muffler, exhaust pipes, shields and clamps.

❑ Check headlamp alignment.

❑ Check the lap-shoulder belts for wear and function.

❑ Check air pressure in the spare tire.

❑ Inspect halfshaft dust boots.

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AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR:

❑ Lubricate all hinges, checks, latches, and all outside key locks.

❑ Lubricate door rubber weatherstrips.

❑ Clean the body water drain holes.

❑ Check the air conditioning system before the warm weather season.

❑ Check the power steering fluid level.

❑ Inspect engine cooling system, hoses and clamps; and check coolant strength

❑ Check the brake fluid level.

❑ Check the battery connections.

❑ Lubricate the transaxle controls and linkage.

If any of these conditions are noted, bring them to the attention of your dealer or qualified service technician as soon as possible.

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Ford 1998 Taurus Maintenance Guide

Normal Schedule

Severe Duty Schedule

FREQUENTLY

pulling to one side

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