2000 FORD TAURUS Owners Manual

PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel during headlamp
and parklamp operation.
²Rotate up to brighten.
²Rotate down to dim.
²Rotate to full up position (past
detent) to turn on interior lamps.
The dome lamp will not illuminate if the panel dimmer/dome lamp
control is switched to OFF.
AUTOLAMP CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for a fixed period of time
after the ignition switch is turned to
OFF.
²To turn autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise.
²To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise to OFF.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
The rear defroster control is located
on the instrument panel.
Press the rear defroster control to
clear the rear window of thin ice
and fog.
²A small LED will illuminate when
the rear defroster is activated.
The ignition must be in the ON position to operate the rear window
defroster.
The defroster turns off automatically after 10 minutes or when the
ignition is turned to the OFF position. To manually turn off the defroster
before 10 minutes have passed, push the control again.
A
A
R
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17

Activating the rear window defroster will also activate the heated mirrors
(if equipped). For more information refer toHeated Outside Mirrorsin
this section.
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air circulated
in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
R
A/C
MAX
A/COFF
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18

Mode selector control
Controls the direction of the airflow
to the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor will
operate in all modes except(Panel)
and(Floor). However, the
air conditioning will only function if
the outside temperature is about
10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under
the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier
than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle
faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This mode
can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
²
(Panel)-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this
mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
²
(Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air through the instrument
panel registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort,
when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full
hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts
will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel
registers.
A/C
Controls and features
19

²(Floor)-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²
(Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air
conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in
between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through
the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the
windshield defrost ducts. If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to
reduce fogging.
²
(Defrost)-Distributes outside air through the windshield
defroster ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.
If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner
will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Operating tips
²In humid weather, selectbefore driving. This will reduce fogging
on your windshield. After a few minutes, select any desired position.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
climate control system in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
²Do not put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²If the air conditioner works well in MAX A/C, but not in A/C, this may
indicate that the cabin air filter (if equipped) needs to be replaced.
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
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20

drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Also, avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel.
These objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block
airflow and possibly damage your climate control system.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel, as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
A/C
Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) system
(if equipped)
The EATC system will maintain a selected temperature and automatically
control airflow. You can override automatic operation with any of the
override controls or the fan speed control.
FR
AUTO
TEMPOFFTEMP
MAX
A/C
OUTSIDE
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21

Turning the EATC on
Press AUTO, any of the override controls or the fan speed control. The
EATC will only operate when the vehicle is running.
Turning the EATC off
Press OFF. The Outside
Temperature function will continue
to operate until the ignition is
turned off.
Automatic operation
Press AUTO and select the desired temperature. The selected
temperature and the word AUTO will appear in the display window. The
EATC system will either heat or cool to achieve the selected
temperature. The system will automatically determine fan speed, airflow
location and if outside air or recirculated air is required. Fan speed
remains automatic unless the fan speed control is pressed.
When in AUTO and weather conditions require heat, air will be sent to
the floor. However, if the engine is not warm enough to provide heat, the
fan will be at a low speed and the air will be directed to the windshield.
In 3
1¤2minutes or less, the fan speed will start to increase and the airflow
location will change to the floor area.
If unusual conditions exist (i.e.-window fogging, etc.), the manual
override controls allow you to select airflow locations and the fan control
allows you to adjust fan speed as necessary.
FR
AUTO
TEMPOFFTEMP
MAX
A/C
OUTSIDE
AUTO
TEMPOFF
MAX
A/CTEMP
OUTSIDE
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Temperature selection
The display window indicates the
selected temperature, function
(AUTO or one of the override
controls) and manual control of fan
speed (
) if automatic fan speed
is not desired.
To control the temperature, select
any temperature between 18ÉC
(65ÉF) and 29ÉC (85ÉF) by pressing
the temperature control.
For continuous maximum cooling, push the temperature control until
16ÉC (60ÉF) is shown in the display window. The EATC will continue
maximum cooling (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a
warmer temperature is selected by pressing the temperature control.
For continuous maximum heating, push the temperature control until
32ÉC (90ÉF) is shown in the display window. The EATC will continue
maximum heating (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a
cooler temperature is selected by pressing the temperature control.
Temperature conversion
Press MAX A/C and Fat the same time (until the display changes)
to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
F
AUTO
FAN• • •
AUTO
TEMPOFF
MAX
A/CTEMP
OUTSIDE
FR
AUTO
TEMPOFFTEMP
MAX
A/C
OUTSIDE
Controls and features
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Fan speed ()
When AUTO is pressed, fan speed is
adjusted automatically for existing
conditions. You can override fan
speed at any time. To control fan
speed manually, press the fan
control to cancel automatic fan
speed operation. Press the control
up for higher fan speed or down for
lower fan speed.
The display will show
and a bar
graph to indicate manual fan
operation and relative speed.
To return to automatic fan operation, press AUTO.
Manual override controls
The override controls are located at the bottom of the EATC and allow
you to determine where airflow is directed. To return to full automatic
control, press AUTO.
F
AUTO
FAN• • •
FR
AUTO
TEMPOFFTEMP
MAX
A/C
OUTSIDE
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