1998 Ford Taurus Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 146

Maintenance and care When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps, resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite corners. Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately. Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer, some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must relearn its idle conditions before your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this process: 1. Set your parking brake. 2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the engine. 3. Let the engine idle for at least one minute. 4. The relearning process will automatically complete as you drive the vehicle. • If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle, the idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle is eventually relearned. 146