Segment:
Mid-size sedan and station wagon
Target Audience:
Families, professionals, fleet buyers
Key Competitors Era:
Chevrolet Lumina, Buick LeSabre, Chrysler New Yorker, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
Design Innovation:
Aerodynamic styling, front-wheel drive (transaxle), spacious interior ('Cab-Forward' design influence)
Practicality:
Comfortable ride, practical wagon variant, good fuel economy for its class
Sales Success:
Hugely successful, revitalized Ford's passenger car lineup, best-selling American car for several years
Engine Mechanical:
Engine removal/installation, cylinder head, valve train, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, lubrication system, cooling system, timing belts/chains
Engine Performance:
Fuel system (injection, carburetion for early models), ignition system, emission control systems, engine diagnostics
Transmission Manual:
Manual transmission (MTX) overhaul, clutch system, shift linkage
Transmission Automatic:
Automatic transaxle (AXOD, AX4S, AX4N for later models) overhaul, torque converter, valve body, hydraulic system, electronic controls
Drivetrain:
Front-wheel drive axle shafts, CV joints, differential service
Suspension:
Front and rear suspension components, struts, springs, control arms, bushings, wheel bearings
Steering:
Power steering system, steering rack/gearbox, steering column, tie rods
Brakes:
Front and rear disc brakes, drum brakes (rear), hydraulic system, ABS (if equipped), parking brake
Electrical System:
Battery, charging system (alternator), starting system (starter), lighting, fuses, relays, wiring diagrams
Body And Chassis:
Body panels, doors, hood, trunk, glass, interior trim, frame/unibody structure
HVAC:
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system components, refrigerant service
Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks and changes, tune-ups, belt and hose inspection/replacement
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic procedures, symptom-based troubleshooting, error code interpretation (OBD-I)
Repair:
Component removal, installation, adjustment, and rebuilding for all major systems
Diagnostics:
Detailed diagnostic trees, testing procedures for sensors and actuators, ignition timing adjustment
Specifications:
Torque specifications, alignment data, electrical values, fluid capacities and types
Depth:
Comprehensive (covers everything from basic fluid changes to complete engine and transmission overhauls)
Diagnostic Tools:
Information on using specific diagnostic tools and equipment for the era (e.g., timing lights, multimeters, basic scan tools for OBD-I)
Wiring Diagrams:
Detailed electrical schematics for all vehicle systems
Engine Code 1986-1989:
4-cylinder Vulcan 2.3L (140 cu in) MPI - 86 hp @ 4600 rpm, 120 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Engine Code 1986-1990:
V6 Essex 2.5L (153 cu in) Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPFI) - 100 hp @ 4600 rpm, 133 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm (for early models, replaced by 3.0L)
Engine Code 1986-1995:
V6 Vulcan 3.0L (182 cu in) MPI - 140 hp @ 4800 rpm, 170 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm (common engine)
Engine Code 1988-1995:
V6 SHO (Super High Output) 3.0L Yamaha V6 - 220 hp @ 6000 rpm, 200 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm (later increased to 3.2L)
Horsepower Range:
86 hp to 220 hp
Torque Range:
120 lb-ft to 200 lb-ft
Injection Type:
Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI) standard across most engines; Throttle Body Injection (TBI) on some early 4-cylinders
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane recommended for Vulcan, higher for SHO)
NHTSA Frontal Impact Driver:
Good (for 1987 Sedan model, as tested by IIHS)
ABS:
Optional Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) available on many models
Traction Control:
Not commonly available in this generation, limited to some later model SHO variants or aftermarket
Airbags:
Driver side airbag became standard equipment in later years of this generation (e.g., 1990+), optional earlier
Seatbelts:
3-point front and rear seatbelts
Audio System:
AM/FM radio with cassette player, optional CD player on higher trims or later models
Display:
Analog gauges, analog climate controls, basic digital displays for odometer and trip computer on some models
Cruise Control:
Standard on most trims
Power Accessories:
Power windows, power door locks, power mirrors available or standard depending on trim
Phone Integration:
None (pre-Bluetooth era)
Diagnostic Interface:
OBD-I (On-Board Diagnostics, first generation)
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,000 - 5,000 miles or 6 months, depending on driving conditions and oil type
Engine Coolant Change:
Every 30,000 miles or 2 years
Transmission Fluid Change Auto:
Every 30,000 - 50,000 miles
Transmission Fluid Change Manual:
Every 50,000 - 75,000 miles
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 30,000 - 100,000 miles depending on plug type (conventional vs. platinum/iridium)
Engine Oil Type:
API SG/SH or newer, SAE 5W-30 recommended for most engines (check manual for specifics)
Engine Oil Capacity:
4.5 - 5.0 quarts (4.3 - 4.7 liters) depending on engine
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Mercon V or equivalent (Ford specification)
Power Steering Fluid:
Ford power steering fluid or Mercon ATF
Coolant Type:
Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze, 50/50 mix with distilled water
Common Problem 1:
Head gasket leaks on Vulcan 3.0L V6 engines (especially earlier versions)
Common Problem 2:
Transmission solenoid issues or electronic control module failures on automatic transaxles (AXOD/AX4S)
Common Problem 3:
Corrosion in cooling system leading to leaks or overheating
Common Problem 4:
Interior electrical gremlins (window motors, door locks, interior lights)
Common Problem 5:
CV joint wear and boot tears on front axles
Ford Legacy:
Ford's reputation as a mass-market manufacturer known for practical and affordable vehicles
Design Inspiration:
Ford Sierra (Europe) influenced some styling cues, but Taurus was a clean-sheet American design
Redesign Points:
Minor facelift in 1988, more significant redesign for the second generation in 1992
Manufacturing Locations:
Chicago, Illinois, USA; Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Sales Performance:
Record-breaking sales, often outselling all competitors in its class
