2000 FORD TAURUS Defroster

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
Controls and features
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
Controls and features
18

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
Controls and features
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
Controls and features
21

The air conditioning compressor can operate in all modes except
and. It will also operate only when required when AUTO has been
selected. 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.
Under normal conditions, your vehicle's climate control system should be
left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº through the outside air inlet
duct.
²F
-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. If the
outside air temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the air
conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
²
R(Rear Window Defroster) Ð Refer toRear Window Defroster.
²
-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts
and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities are
provided in this mode. The air will be heated or cooled based on the
temperature selection. For added customer comfort, the air
distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the windshield defroster ducts. If the temperature is about
10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically
dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
²
-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air through
the floor ducts. However, the air cannot be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this
mode.
²
-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel registers
and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities are
provided in this mode. The air will be heated or cooled based on the
temperature selection. For added customer comfort, the air
distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the instrument panel registers.
²
-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel registers.
However, the air cannot be cooled below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode.
Controls and features
25

²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield).
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
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 the air
conditioner as you would normally.
²If the air conditioner works well in MAX A/C but not in normal A/C,
this may indicate that the cabin air filter (if equipped) needs to be
replaced.
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.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT
The auxiliary power point is located on the instrument panel.
Do not plug optional electrical accessories into the cigarette lighter. Use
the power point.
Controls and features
27

High-quality blends of winter grade (Ed85) ethanol will produce
satisfactory cold weather starting and driving results. However, fuel
composition varies, and sub-optimal winter grade blends could produce
increased cranking times, rough idle or hesitation at temperatures below
±18 degrees C (0 degrees F). If you experience this condition you may
find that a different brand of winter grade (E
d85) (if available in your
area) improves the performance of your vehicle.
Cold starting performance can also be improved with the use of an
engine block heater. The engine block heater is available as a Ford
option and can also be obtained from your Ford dealer. Consult the
engine block heater section for proper use of the engine block heater.
If you should experience cold weather starting problems on (E
d85)
ethanol, and neither an alternative brand of (E
d85) ethanol nor an
engine block heater is available, the addition of unleaded gasoline to your
tank will improve cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on (E
d85) ethanol alone, unleaded gasoline alone, or any
mixture of the two.
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions
1. Press the accelerator pedal 1/3 to 1/2 of the way to floor and hold.
2. Turn the key to START position.
3. When the engine starts, release the key, then release the accelerator
pedal gradually as the engine speeds up.
4. If the engine still fails to start, repeat steps one through three.
5. After the engine starts, hold your foot on the brake pedal, put the
gearshift lever in gear and release the parking brake. Slowly release the
brake pedal and drive away in a normal manner.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster and allows the heater-defroster
system to respond quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach -23ÉC
(-10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours will not harm
the engine, so the heater can be plugged in the night before starting the
vehicle.
Starting
111

4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total kilometers
traveled.
Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
186