Having your car tuned up by a mechanic can be expensive and unnecessary. Many of the things a mechanic does you can do yourself. Changing your fuel filter is one of those things. Here is how you can change it in your 2003 Ford Taurus.
Find a flat surface in an area with plenty of ventilation. Since you will be working on the fuel line, and some fuel will inevitably spill, it is a good idea to do this outside or in a well-ventilated garage.
Back your car onto ramps, or lift it with a jack. If you are using a jack, make sure you are working on a hard, flat surface.
Relieve the fuel pressure. With your car still running, open the trunk and locate the inertia switch (emergency fuel shut-off). It is a little red button inside of your trunk.
Turn your ignition off (once the button is pushed, the engine will sputter and die).
Locate your fuel filter underneath the rear passenger door, attached to the frame.
Use your fingers or a screwdriver to remove the plastic clips from the fuel line going into each end of the filter.
Place the bucket or pan underneath the fuel filter.
Remove the fuel lines from each end of the fuel filter. Use a screwdriver to remove the bolt on the clamp holding the filter in place.
Place the filter into the clamp (paying attention to the flow lines on the new filter) and tighten the screw to secure the filter to the car frame.
Put the fuel line onto the filter and carefully fasten it with the new clips. Do not use your old clips--these will be brittle and can brake, causing your car to lose fuel.
Reset the inertia switch. It may take your car a few tries to start.
