1997 FORD TAURUS cruise control

* if equipped
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Fuel gauge
(pg. 13)
Headlamp control
(pg. 14)Engine coolant
temperature gauge
(pg. 12)
Speedometer
(pg. 11)Tachometer
(pg. 12)
Driver
air bag
(pg. 64)Cruise
control
(pg. 23)
Turn signal/wiper
washer control
(pg. 26) Parking brake
release
(pg. 85) Remote
trunk release
(pg. 37)
Instrumentation
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Cruise control (if equipped)
This light comes on
when the cruise control
ON button is pressed.
It turns off when the
cruise control OFF
button is pressed or when the ignition is turned to
the OFF position.
Brake system warning
Extinguishes when the
parking brake is
released. Illumination
after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake fluid level.
Engine oil pressure
When the oil pressure
is below the normal
operating range, this
lamp will illuminate.
The engine oil level being too high or too low could
cause this lamp to illuminate. This lamp will come
on when the ignition is first turned on but then
should turn off. If the lamp stays on, continued
operation will cause severe engine damage.
Charging system
Briefly illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. The light
also illuminates when the battery is not charging
properly, requiring electrical system service.
Air bag readiness
Briefly illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. If the
CRUISE
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
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ProCarManuals.com

3. OFF shuts off the ignition and accessories and
allows the gearshift and steering wheel to move.
4. ON tests the warning lights. The key must remain
here when the engine is running.
5. START cranks the engine. The key must return to
ON when running.
CRUISE CONTROL
To turn cruise control on
Press ON.
Vehicle speed cannot
be controlled until the
vehicle is travelling at
or above 48 km/h (30
mph).
Do not use the cruise control in heavy traffic or
winding, slippery or unpaved roads.
Do not shift into N (Neutral) while the cruise
control is on.
To turn cruise control off
Press OFF or turn off
the vehicle ignition.
Once cruise control is switched off, the previously
programmed set speed will be erased.
ON
OFF
COASTRESUMESET
ACCEL
ON
OFF
COASTRESUMESET
ACCEL
Controls and features
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To set a speed
Press SET ACCEL. For
cruise control to
operate, the cruise
control must be ON
and the vehicle speed
must be greater than
48 km/h (30 mph).
If you drive up or down a steep hill, your vehicle
speed may vary momentarily slower or faster than
the set speed. This is normal.
Cruise control cannot reduce the vehicle speed if it
increases above the set speed on a downhill. If your
vehicle speed is faster than the set speed while
driving on a downhill in Overdrive, you may want to
shift to the next lower gear to reduce your vehicle
speed.
If your vehicle slows down more than 16 km/h (10
mph) below your set speed on an uphill, your cruise
control will disengage. This is normal. Pressing
RESUME will re-engage it.
Do not use your cruise control in heavy traffic or
roads that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
To set a higher set speed
²Press and hold SET
ACCEL. Release the
control when the
desired vehicle
speed is reached or
²Press and release
SET ACCEL. Each
press will increase
the set speed by 1.6 km/h (1 mph) or
²Accelerate with your accelerator pedal, then press
and release SET ACCEL.
ON
OFF
COASTRESUMESET
ACCEL
ON
OFF
COASTRESUMESET
ACCEL
Controls and features
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You can accelerate with the accelerator pedal at any
time during cruise control usage. Releasing the
accelerator pedal will return your vehicle to the
previously programmed set speed.
To set a lower set speed
²Press and hold
COAST. Release the
control when the
desired speed is
reached or
²Press and release
COAST. Each press
will decrease the set
speed by 1.6 km/h (1 mph) or
²Depress the brake pedal. When the desired
vehicle speed is reached, press SET ACCEL.
To disengage cruise control
²Depress the brake pedal.
Disengaging the cruise control will not erase the
previously programmed set speed.
Pressing OFF will erase the previously programmed
set speed.
To return to a set speed
²Press RESUME. For
RESUME to operate,
the vehicle speed
must be faster than
48 km/h (30 mph).
ON
OFF
COASTRESUMESET
ACCEL
ON
OFF
COASTRESUMESET
ACCEL
Controls and features
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Indicator light
Lights when the cruise
control is turned on
and remains lit until
either the cruise
control or the ignition
is turned off.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
Turn signals
Push the control down
to activate the left turn
signal. Push control up
to activate the right
turn signal.
High beams
Push the control
forward to activate the
high beams.
CRUISE
Controls and features
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Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate
briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light
does not illuminate.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle
revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine.
CRUISE
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Starting
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Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with any
weight on the trailer while towing on a hot day or in
hilly country.
Cruise control may shut off if you are towing on
long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use 2 (Second) (if equipped) or 1 (First) when
towing up or down steep hills. This will eliminate
excessive downshifting and upshifting for
optimum fuel economy and transaxle cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle
will require more frequent service intervals. Refer to
theService Guidefor more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area before starting on a trip to get the feel of the
vehicle trailer combination. When turning, drive
slightly beyond the normal turning point so the
trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more room for stopping with a trailer
attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of
the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles),
thoroughly check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in
hot weather, place the gearshift in P (Park) and
increase idle speed. This aids engine cooling and
air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel
chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Driving
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