Ford Taurus (2018 year). Manual — part 60

4. Switch the engine off and wait 15

minutes for the oil to drain into the oil
pan. Checking the engine oil level too
soon after you switch the engine off
may result in an inaccurate reading.

5. Open the hood. See Opening and

Closing the Hood

(page 237).

6. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with

a clean, lint-free cloth. See Under
Hood Overview

(page 239).

7.

Replace the dipstick and remove it
again to check the oil level. See Under
Hood Overview

(page 239).

8. Make sure that the oil level is between

the maximum and minimum marks. If
the oil level is at the minimum mark,
add oil immediately. See Capacities
and Specifications

(page 305).

9. If the oil level is correct, replace the

dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.

Note:

Do not remove the dipstick when the

engine is running.

Note:

If the oil level is between the

maximum and minimum marks, the oil level
is acceptable. Do not add oil.

Note:

The oil consumption of new engines

reaches its normal level after approximately
3,000 mi (5,000 km).

Adding Engine Oil

WARNING

Do not remove the filler cap when
the engine is running.

Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.

E142732

Only use oils certified for gasoline engines
by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
An oil with this trademark symbol
conforms to the current engine and
emission system protection standards and
fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricants Specification
Advisory Committee (ILSAC).

To top up the engine oil level do the
following:

1.

Clean the area surrounding the engine
oil filler cap before you remove it.

2. Remove the engine oil filler cap. See

Under Hood Overview

(page 239).

Turn it counterclockwise and remove
it.

3. Add engine oil that meets Ford

specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications

(page 305). You may

have to use a funnel to pour the engine
oil into the opening.

4. Recheck the oil level.

5. If the oil level is correct, replace the

dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.

6. Replace the engine oil filler cap. Turn

it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.

Note:

Do not add oil further than the

maximum mark. Oil levels above the
maximum mark may cause engine damage.

Note:

Make sure you install the oil filler cap

correctly.

Note:

Soak up any spillage with an

absorbent cloth immediately.

OIL CHANGE INDICATOR
RESET

Use the information display controls on
the steering wheel to reset the oil change
indicator.

From the main menu scroll to:

Action and description

Message

Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll
to the following message.

Settings

Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll
to the following message.

Vehicle

Press the right arrow button,
then from this menu scroll
to the following message.

Oil Life

Press and hold the OK
button until the instrument
cluster displays the
following message.

Hold OK to
Reset

Reset Successful

When the oil change indic-
ator resets the instrument
cluster displays 100%.

Remaining Life

{00}%

Action and description

Message

If the instrument cluster
displays one of the following
messages, repeat the
process.

Not Reset

Reset Cancelled

ENGINE COOLANT CHECK

WARNINGS

Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.

Do not put coolant in the windshield
washer reservoir. If sprayed on the
windshield, coolant could make it

difficult to see through the windshield.

To reduce the risk of personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure

relief cap. The cooling system is under
pressure. Steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when you loosen the cap
slightly.

Do not add coolant further than the
MAX mark.

When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the coolant at
the intervals listed in the scheduled
maintenance information. See Scheduled
Maintenance

(page 455).

Note:

Make sure that the coolant level is

between the MIN and MAX marks on the
coolant reservoir.

Note:

Coolant expands when it is hot. The

level may extend beyond the MAX mark.

Maintain coolant concentration within
48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze
point between -29°F (-34°C) and -35°F
(-37°C). Coolant concentration should be
checked using a refractometer. We do not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentration.

Adding Coolant

WARNINGS

Do not add engine coolant when the
engine is hot. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal

injury.

Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.

Note:

Automotive fluids are not

interchangeable. Take care not to put
engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid reservoir or windshield washer fluid in
the engine coolant reservoir.

Note:

Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling

system sealants, or non-specified additives
as they can cause damage to the engine
cooling or heating systems. Resulting
component damage may not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.

It is very important to use prediluted
coolant approved to the correct
specification in order to avoid plugging the
small passageways in the engine cooling
system. See Capacities and
Specifications

(page 298). Do not mix

different colors or types of coolant in your
vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants or using
an incorrect coolant may harm the engine
or cooling system components and may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.

Note:

If prediluted coolant is not available,

use the approved concentrated coolant
diluting it to 50/50 with distilled water. See
Capacities and Specifications (page 298).
Using water that has not been deionised
may contribute to deposit formation,
corrosion and plugging of the small cooling
system passageways.

Note:

Coolants marketed for all makes and

models may not be approved to Ford
specifications and may cause damage to
the cooling system. Resulting component
damage may not be covered by the vehicle
Warranty.

If the coolant level is at or below the
minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.

To top up the coolant level do the
following:

1.

Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure
escapes as you unscrew the cap.

2. Add prediluted coolant approved to

the correct specification. See
Capacities and Specifications

(page

298).

3. Add enough prediluted coolant to

reach the correct level.

4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turn

it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.

5. Check the coolant level in the coolant

reservoir the next few times you drive
your vehicle. If necessary, add enough
prediluted engine coolant to bring the
coolant level to the correct level.

If you have to add more than 1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating
and possible engine damage.

Note:

During normal vehicle operation, the

coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.

In case of emergency, you can add a large
amount of water without engine coolant
in order to reach a vehicle service location.
In this instance, qualified personnel:

1.

Must drain the cooling system.

2. Chemically clean the coolant system.

3. Refill with engine coolant as soon as

possible.

Water alone, without engine coolant, can
cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.

Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute:
•

Alcohol.

•

Methanol.

•

Brine.

•

Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze.

Alcohol and other liquids can cause engine
damage from overheating or freezing.

Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of
the coolant.

Recycled Coolant

We do not recommend the use of recycled
coolant as an approved recycling process
is not yet available.

Dispose of used engine coolant in an
appropriate manner. Follow your
community's regulations and standards
for recycling and disposing of automotive
fluids.

Severe Climates

If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•

It may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.

•

A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point
protection. Coolant concentrations
above 60% decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.

If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•

You can decrease the coolant
concentration to 40%.

•

Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme
climates should use prediluted coolant for
optimum cooling system and engine
protection.

Coolant Change

At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. Add
prediluted coolant approved to the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications

(page 298).

Fail-Safe Cooling

Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarily
drive your vehicle before any incremental
component damage occurs. The fail-safe
distance depends on ambient
temperature, vehicle load and terrain.

How Fail-Safe Cooling Works

If the engine begins to overheat,
the coolant temperature gauge
moves toward the red zone: