1998 Ford Taurus Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 143

Maintenance and care 2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake. 3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal, start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage. 4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running. 5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. 6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube. 7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in the designated areas for normal and room temperature. Low fluid level Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid level DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING is at the bottom of the dipstick and the outside temperatures are above 10°C (50°F). Correct fluid level The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperatures 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a level surface. The normal operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20 miles) of driving. The transmission fluid should be in this range DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING if at normal operating temperature (66°C-77°C [150°F-170°F]). 143