Ford Taurus (2018 year). Manual — part 34

•

Make sure the system is unplugged and
properly stowed before starting and
driving your vehicle. Make sure the
protective cover seals the prongs of the
block heater cord plug when not in use.

•

Make sure the heater system is
checked for proper operation before
winter.

Using the Engine Block Heater

Make sure the receptacle terminals are
clean and dry prior to use. Clean them with
a dry cloth if necessary.

The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours
of energy per hour of use. The system does
not have a thermostat. It achieves
maximum temperature after
approximately three hours of operation.
Using the heater longer than three hours
does not improve system performance and
unnecessarily uses electricity.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNINGS

Do not overfill the fuel tank. The
pressure in an overfilled tank may
cause leakage and lead to fuel spray

and fire.

The fuel system may be under
pressure. If you hear a hissing sound
near the fuel filler inlet, do not refuel

until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out, which could cause serious
personal injury.

Fuels can cause serious injury or
death if misused or mishandled.

Fuel may contain benzene, which is
a cancer-causing agent.

When refueling always shut the
engine off and never allow sparks or
open flames near the fuel tank filler

valve. Never smoke or use a cell phone
while refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely
hazardous under certain conditions. Avoid
inhaling excess fumes.

Follow these guidelines when refueling:
•

Extinguish all smoking materials and
any open flames before refueling your
vehicle.

•

Always switch the engine off before
refueling.

•

Automotive fuels can be harmful or
fatal if swallowed. Fuel is highly toxic
and if swallowed can cause death or
permanent injury. If fuel is swallowed
immediately call a physician, even if no
symptoms are immediately apparent.
The toxic effects of fuel may not be
apparent for hours.

•

Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling fuel
vapor can lead to eye and respiratory
tract irritation. In severe cases,
excessive or prolonged breathing of
fuel vapor can cause serious illness and
permanent injury.

•

Avoid getting fuel in your eyes. If you
splash fuel in your eyes, immediately
remove contact lenses (if worn), flush
with water for 15 minutes and seek
medical attention. Failure to seek
proper medical attention could lead to
permanent injury.

•

Fuels can be harmful if absorbed
through the skin. If you splash fuel on
your skin, clothing or both, promptly
remove contaminated clothing and
thoroughly wash your skin with soap
and water. Repeated or prolonged skin
contact causes skin irritation.

•

Be particularly careful if you are taking
Antabuse or other forms of Disulfiram
for the treatment of alcoholism.
Breathing fuel vapors could cause an
adverse reaction, serious personal
injury or sickness. Immediately call a
physician if you experience any adverse
reactions.

FUEL QUALITY - E85

Choosing the Right Fuel - Flex Fuel
Vehicles

Flex fuel vehicles have one of the following
identifiers:
•

Yellow fuel filler cap.

•

Yellow bezel around the fuel filler inlet.

•

Yellow fuel filler housing.

•

Yellow E85 label on the fuel tank filler
door.

E161513

Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 or
regular unleaded gasoline blended with a
maximum of 85% ethanol (E85).

Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. We do not recommend
these fuels.

For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 205).

Do not use any fuel other than those
recommended because they could lead to
engine damage that will not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.

Note:

Use of any fuel other than those

recommended can impair the emission
control system and cause a loss of vehicle
performance.

Do not use:
•

Diesel fuel.

•

Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.

•

Fuels containing more than 85%
ethanol or E100 fuel.

•

Fuels containing methanol.

•

Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.

•

Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).

•

Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law).

The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.

Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.

Switching Between E85 and
Gasoline

We do not recommend repeatedly
alternating between E85 and gasoline. If
you switch from using E85 to gasoline, or
from gasoline to E85, add as much fuel as
possible, at least half a tank. Drive your
vehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi
(8 km) to allow it to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration. If you use E85
exclusively, we recommend that you fill
the fuel tank with regular unleaded
gasoline at each scheduled oil change.

FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE

Choosing the Right Fuel

E161513

Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.

Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. We do not recommend
these fuels.

For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 205).

Do not use any fuel other than those
recommended because they could lead to
engine damage that will not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.

Note:

Use of any fuel other than those

recommended can impair the emission
control system and cause a loss of vehicle
performance.

Do not use:
•

Diesel fuel.

•

Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.

•

Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol
or E85 fuel.

•

Fuels containing methanol.

•

Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.

•

Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).

•

Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law).

The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.

Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.

FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION

The fuel filler funnel is under the luggage
compartment floor covering.

RUNNING OUT OF FUEL

Running out of fuel can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle Warranty.

If your vehicle runs out of fuel:
•

Add a minimum of 1.3 gal (5 L) of fuel
to restart the engine.

•

You may need to switch 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. When restarting, cranking time
takes a few seconds longer than
normal.