Ford Taurus 1997 Owner's Manual page 87

Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be
rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the
accelerator in each gear. Do not rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes, because it could damage
the vehicle.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your
vehicle.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
(column gearshift without O/D off switch)
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully
automatic operation in either
(Drive). Driving with the shift selector in
the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions.
For manual control start in 1 (First) and then shift
manually.
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress
the brake pedal, then move gearshift out of P
(Park).
Hold the brake pedal down while you move
the gearshift lever from position to position.
If you do not hold the brake pedal down, your
vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure
someone.
Driving
(Overdrive) or D
gives
87