I took my car to the Ford dealership yesterday to replace the tie rods and front breaks. While he was under there he noticed that the struts were shot, but that I could wait on them for a while if I wanted. My question is (and what I forgot to ask him since I was already concentrating on that big 0 bill) how long can my car go on bad struts.

I have a 1988 Ford Taurus (only 37,000 miles) with the original suspension, so it’s not surprising that it’s finally warn out, but I’d like to put it off for a little bit.

Thanks.

I have been trying find someone that can help me install an in-dash stereo in my car. However, my car seems to be impossible to upgrade according to Best Buy, Circuit City, and a Ford dealership. My Taurus is fairly unique because it has the rare option of digital climate control. While, most Taurus’s have rotary temperature controls on the dash. Unfortunately, I can’t find an installation kit made for my particular vehicle because it has digital climate control. I can only find installation kits for a Taurus with rotary temperature controls. Can anyone help me?

Please…I need your help. I took my 2006 Ford Taurus to the Ford dealership and they said nothing is wrong with it, even though they can hear and feel a clunk in reverse and in drive. The problem is when I leave every morning, I have to make a 3 point turn (U-turn). So I turn the steering wheel to turn around and can’t make it. So I stop when I’m near the curb and place the car in reverse then back up and then it clunks. As I back up enough to make the 3 point turn (U-turn) I place it in drive and drive away when it clunks again. The clunk feels like it’s coming from the front end of the car. What the heck is it???? PLEASE someone help me. My waranty is almost up.

BTW: The Ford dealership has checked the struts, motor mounts, and the transmission twice. They said, I just have to live with it.

-Sandy

My heater in my Ford Taurus 1999 just went out about a month ago. Unfortunately, an artic blast is on its way here (fastly approaching) and I’ve looked at the manual online and searched AutoZone. I’m confused. Does my car require a fuse to "re-ignite" the heater or should I take it to the local Ford dealership where they will try to take ALL OF MY MONEY? Please help . . . it’s getting cold outside!!!
I’ve never had it flushed out because I bought it used. Perhaps I should consider that option. My Dad said that it might just be the fuse . . . I may take it to a smaller shop; however, the shop that I used previously was AMORAL!!!
You guys have given me the greatest answers! It is too difficult to choose! Thank you ALL so much!!!

This weekend my fiance & I went to our local Ford dealership so she could get a key made (she lost her back up key), for her 2005 Taurus. I know the key has a chip in it (and it seems the car needs to be programmed), but could a Ford tech explain the expense to me?

What the heck? My mother-in-law (whose brother works in the parts department at a Ford dealership) said he told her the revamped 2008 Ford Taurus is better ranked than even Toyota/Honda. How did that happen?
Currently have a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS with nearly 151,000 miles — with original factory alternator. Routine maintenance is being done, and other than a couple of electronical hiccups very early on which were fixed under warranty (turn signal, false check engine light indicator), nothing has gone wrong with it yet. I commute 60 miles a day and use cruise control most of the time. But I am starting to do my research for another car.

My Ford Taurus 2003 is approaching 60,000 miles on it. So I consulted the maintenance guide, and it does not even mention about the drive belt for 60,000 miles service. It says that I only need to inspect the "accessory drive belts" at 100,000 miles and replace at 150,000 miles. Is that true? A guy at a Ford Dealership told me that it is a must to replace at 60,000 miles or else bad things happen…
Does anyone know what I am supposed to do?