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03 Ford Taurus SES

Tiny
OLERIM20
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 111,000 MILES
My 2003 ford Taurus, 111,000 miles has problem with cold and brakes.

When the temperature is around -10 degrees or below in the winter in Minnesota the brake light comes on.

It does not stay on constantly, but when I am driving it and go in the morning it is fine. In morning while the car is still colder as I stop at stop sign then brake light on the rights side of the instrument panel comes on. Then I proceed and it stays on for about 20 seconds and goes off or sometimes I tap the brake while going forward right after a stop sign and then it goes off. The car seems to brake just fine, but I am aware I have close to 1/4 pad life left on the front brakes and need to replace this spring.

No major issues as of now but I want to fix it if something is wrong before it becomes an issue, or maybe it is just simple frozen parts since it stops after the car is warmed up and never occurs in temps above 5-10 degrees.

(1.) Do you know why this would occur?


(2.)I bought it at 60,000 miles 2 years ago and now have 111,000 miles. I want to avoid any issues with future problems with brakes as I plan on keeping the car until around 200,000 miles. How often should the brake fluid be replaced to prevent leaks?
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:31 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The only thing I can think of h ere is that the brake may be sticking momentarily or there is water/ice gettingin the sensor. You may have gotten snow in there to do that.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
OLERIM20
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Thanks, Like I said it does not seem to be a problem, just odd I thought - I will see if permanetly goes away with spring coming up.

I bought at 60K 2.5 year ago, now has 110K, but I want to avoid gaskets and other leaks occuring as I plan on keeping until around 200K.
How often is it recommended to change the brake fluid and antifreeze on this car?
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:39 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If it has dexcool or the PInk antifreeze that's good for 5 years. Brekae fluid if it's dark in the master cylinder you shold have it flushed out, usually about 2-3 years.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:42 PM
Tiny
OLERIM20
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
The antifreeze is green. So it that 2-3 years also?
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes, but wait til spring if it has good color.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
OLERIM20
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Last question, I Promise :)

I have been told to change the transmisson fluid and filter in the car (automatic) every 40,000 miles. However do run Amsoil transmission fluid in car. Do you agree with this?

I also run Amsoil oil. Do you have any opinion on Amsoil as this is the first time I used it. First oil change I ran 0w-20 for 23,000 (25,000) is the max recommended. Now I have 5w-20 which your suppose to run 15,000 miles max

I am not sure if its a great product yet and would appreciate an experts opinion.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Synthetic oil is great for an engine, but i've never used it in an automatic trans. Auto trans fluid is different from engine oil and the regular stuff will last 40,000 or so anyhow so why spend the money for the synthetic trans oil.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 6:02 PM

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