1996 FORD TAURUS instrument panel

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[PI00560(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information .............................1
Safety Restraints ............................................9
Starting Your Taurus ..................................59
Warning Lights and Gauges .....................71
Instrument Panel Controls ........................91
Steering Column Controls ......................115
Features ........................................................125
Electronic Sound Systems .......................169
Driving Your Taurus ................................191
Roadside Emergencies ..............................217
Customer Assistance .................................237
Reporting Safety Defects .........................244
Accessories ..................................................249
Servicing Your Taurus .............................255
Quick Index ................................................341
Index .............................................................357
Service Station Information ....................380
File:01fcpit.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:39:52 1996
ProCarManuals.com

25
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[SR16000(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
If a passenger is not properly seated and
restrained, an inflating air bag could cause
serious injury.
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[SR16050(ALL)07/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front
passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great
force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front
passengers, especially children and small adults,
must never sit on the front edge of the seat,
stand near the glove compartment of the
instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag
cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants
should sit with their backs against the seatback,
move the seat to the most rearward position if
possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should
use child or infant seats.
*
[SR16100(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Rear-facing infant seats should never be
placed in the front seat.
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[SR16200(ALL)07/95]
In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is
closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could push the top of the
rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback or
center armrests (if so equipped), or center
console (if so equipped). REAR-FACING
INFANT CARRIERS MUST ALWAYS BE
SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child
safety seats and infant seats should be secured in
the rear seat whenever possible.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com

26 %
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[SR16250(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. NEVER
SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS
IN THE FRONT SEAT.
*
[SR16255(ALL)11/95]
The force of the rapidly inflating passenger air
bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat
against the vehicle seatback, armrests or console.
Rear-facing infant seats must always be secured
in the rear seat.
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[SR16300(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment
on or near the air bag cover on the
steering wheel or in front seat areas that
may come in contact with a deploying air
bag. Failure to follow this instruction may
increase the risk of personal injury in the
event of a collision.
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[SR16350(ALL)07/95]
For further information about the proper
mounting of equipment in the front seat of this
vehicle, please refer to Ford's brochure entitled
Some Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be
obtained by calling Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356.
Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
*
[SR16400(ALL)08/95]
For additional important safety information on
the proper use of seat belts, child seats, and
infant seats, please read the other sections of this
chapter of the Owner Guide, especially sections
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats
for Children.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com

27 %
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[SR16500(ALL)01/95]
How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System Operates
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[SR16600(ALL)06/95]
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
consists of the driver and passenger air bags,
impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, a
readiness light and tone, and the electrical
wiring which connects the components.
*
[SR16750(ALL)06/95]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering
wheel. The front passenger seat air bag is
located in the center of the instrument panel
ledge above the glove compartment. Both air
bags are designed to stay out of sight until they
are activated.
[SR16775(ALL)11/94]
half page art:0001373-A
The location of air bags and warning labels
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com

33 %
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[SR22000(ALL)01/95]
Safety Seats for Children
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[SR22100(ALL)05/95]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the
size and weight of the child. Always follow the
safety seat manufacturer's instructions when
installing and using the safety seat.
*
[SR22125(ALL)08/95]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat
having a top tether strap. Install the child safety
seat in a seating position which is capable of
providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps seeAttaching
Safety Seats With Tether Strapsin this chapter.
*
[SR22150(ALL)08/95]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to
use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating
position, and make sure the tongue is securely
fastened in the buckle. For a shoulder/lap belt
combination with a sliding tongue, make sure
the retractor is in the automatic locking mode.
*
[SR22375(ALL)07/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a right front
passenger air bag. Air bags deploy with great
force, faster than the blink of an eye. Front
passengers, especially children and small adults,
must never sit on the front edge of the seat,
stand near the glove compartment of the
instrument panel, or lean over near the air bag
cover when the vehicle is moving. All occupants
should sit with their backs against the seatback,
move the seat to the most rearward position if
possible and use the safety belts. Children
weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) always should
use child or infant seats.
%*
[SR22400(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. NEVER
SECURE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS
IN THE FRONT SEAT.
File:03fcsrt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:18 1996
ProCarManuals.com

61
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[ST07575(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets alone in your vehicle. They could
accidentally injure themselves or others
through inadvertent operation of the
vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days,
temperatures in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to cause
severe and possibly fatal injuries to
people as well as animals.
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[ST08200(ALL)03/95]
Starting Your Vehicle
%*
[ST08300(ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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[ST08350(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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[ST08400(ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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[ST08500(ALL)08/95]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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[ST08600(ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure your headlamps and other
accessories are turned off and the parking
brake is set.
[ST08850(ALL)11/94]
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
before you turn the key.
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[ST09150(ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
File:04fcstt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:50 1996
ProCarManuals.com

71
Warning Lights and
Gauges
%*
[LG00500(ALL)05/92]
In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges
are grouped together on the instrument panel.
We call this grouping a cluster. Your vehicle has
one of the following clusters:
[LG00800(ALL)02/95]
q
Standard cluster
[LG00900(ALL)02/95]
q
Optional cluster
[LG00950( T)02/95]
q
SHO cluster
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[LG01100(ALL)05/94]
If you are not sure which cluster your vehicle
has, check the diagrams on the following pages.
% [LG02050(ALL)05/95]The Standard Cluster
[LG02075(ALL)02/95]
The following warning lights and gauges are on
the standard cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.
File:05fclgt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:14:15 1996
ProCarManuals.com

91
Instrument Panel Controls
[IP00400(ALL)05/95]
The main controls for the climate control system,
clock, and radio are in the oval Integrated
Control Panel on the instrument panel.
[IP00410(ALL)04/95]
The controls for the lights and climate control air
registers are also on the instrument panel.
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[IP00420(ALL)03/95]
Clean the instrument panel lens and woodtone
trim with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner. Do
not use paper towel or any abrasive cleaner to
clean either the lens or the woodtone trim as
these may cause scratches.
%*
[IP00430(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Any cleaner or polish that increases the
gloss (shine) of the upper part of the
instrument panel should be avoided.
The dull finish in this area is to help
protect the driver from undesirable
windshield reflection.
File:06fcipt.ex
Update:Tue Jan 23 08:13:16 1996
ProCarManuals.com