2000 FORD TAURUS instrument cluster

A
ONOFF
+ –
0 12204060
80
100
1202060
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
000000
0000
EFC H
FUEL DOOR >
THEFT LOW
COOLANT
Parking brake
release
(pg. 115) Headlamp
control
(pg. 16)Panel dimmer
(pg. 17)
Driver air bag
(pg. 94) Trunk release Ð
sedan only
(pg. 57)
Rear window wiper and
washer Ð wagon only*
(pg. 48)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer control
(pg. 47)Instrument cluster
(pg. 8)
* if equipped
Instrumentation
6

momentary problem if they are too close to the key during engine start.
If a problem occurs, turn the ignition OFF and restart the engine with all
other objects on the key ring held away from the ignition key. Check to
make sure the encoded ignition key is an approved Ford encoded
ignition key.
Spare SecuriLockykeys can be purchased from your dealership and
programmed to your SecuriLockypassive anti-theft system. Refer to
Programming spare SecuriLockykeysfor more information.
If one or both of your SecuriLockykeys are lost or stolen and you want
to ensure the lost or stolen key will not operate your vehicle, bring your
vehicle and all available SecuriLockykeys to your dealership for
reinitialization.
Theft indicator
The theft indicator on the instrument cluster will operate as follows:
²When the ignition is OFF, the theft indicator will flash briefly every
two seconds to indicate the SecuriLockysystem is protecting your
vehicle.
²When the ignition is turned to ON or START, the theft indicator will
light for three seconds and then go out. If the theft indicator stays on
for an extended period of time or flashes rapidly, have the system
serviced by your dealership or a qualified technician.
Procedure to program spare SecuriLockYkeys to your vehicle
New SecuriLockykeys must have the correct mechanical key cut for
your vehicle.
Conventional (non-SecuriLocky) keyscannotbe programmed to your
vehicle.
The correct type of SecuriLockykey for your vehicle is identifiable by
the vehicle logo being on onlyone sideif the key. If the vehicle logo is
on both sides, it is not the right key for your vehicle.
You will need to have two previously programmed SecuriLockykeys and
the new unprogrammed SecuriLockykey readily accessible for the
procedure. Please read and understand the entire procedure before you
begin.
1. Insert the first previously programmed SecuriLockykey into the
ignition and turn the ignition from OFF to ON (maintain ignition in ON
for at least one second).
Controls and features
71

2. Turn ignition to OFF and remove the first SecuriLockykey from the
ignition.
3. Within five seconds of turning the ignition to OFF, insert the second
previously programmed SecuriLockykey into the ignition and turn the
ignition from OFF to ON (maintain ignition in ON for at least one second
but no more than five seconds).
4. Turn the ignition to OFF and remove the second SecuriLockykey
from the ignition.
5. Within 10 seconds of turning the ignition to OFF, insert the
unprogrammed SecuriLockykey (new key/valet key) into the ignition
and turn the ignition from OFF to ON (maintain ignition in ON for at
least one second). This step will program your new SecuriLockykey.
6. To program additional SecuriLockykey(s), repeat this procedure from
step 1.
If the programming procedure was successful, the new SecuriLocky
key(s) will start the vehicle's engine. The theft indicator (located on the
instrument cluster) will light for three seconds and then go out.
If the programming procedure was not successful, the new SecuriLocky
key(s) will not operate the vehicle's engine. The theft indicator will flash
on and off. Wait at least one minute and then repeat the procedure from
step 1. If failure repeats, bring your vehicle to your dealership to have
the spare SecuriLockykey(s) programmed.
INTERIOR LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT RELEASE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle is equipped with a mechanical interior luggage compartment
release handle that provides a means of escape for children and adults in
the event they become locked inside the luggage compartment.
Adults are advised to familiarize themselves with the operation and
location of the release handle.
Controls and features
72

²The electrical wiring for the air bags, crash sensor(s), safety belt
pretensioners, front safety belt usage sensors and driver's seat position
sensor.
How does the personal safety system work?
The Personal Safety System uses a collection of sensors to gather
information about the driver's seat position, driver and front outboard
passenger's safety belt usage and accident severity. Then, dual-stage
inflating air bags are combined with safety belt pretensioners and energy
management retractors to help provide enhanced occupant protection in
frontal crashes.
The driver's seat position sensor determines if the seat is fore or aft of a
reference position. Similarly, the safety belt usage sensors determine if
the driver and front outboard passenger safety belts are fastened. These
sensors provide the ability to tailor the air bag deployment based upon
how close the driver's seat is to the steering wheel and whether or not
the safety belts are fastened.
The dual-stage air bags offer the ability to tailor the air bag inflation with
two energy levels. A lower, less forceful energy level is provided for more
common, moderate-severity impacts. A higher energy level is provided
for the most severe impacts. Whether or not the air bag deploys at all
can also be different for the driver versus the passenger based upon
driver's seat position and safety belt usage allowing further tailoring of
the system.
Determining if the personal safety system is operational
The Personal Safety System uses a warning indicator light in the
instrument cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theRestraints Warning Indicatorsection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the Personal Safety
System is not required.
The RCM (restraints control module) monitors its own internal circuits
and the circuits for the air bag supplemental restraints, crash sensor(s),
safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt usage sensors and driver's seat
position sensor. In addition, the RCM also monitors the restraints
warning indicator light in the instrument cluster. A difficulty with the
system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The indicator light will either
flash or stay lit.
Seating and safety restraints
79

While you are fastened in the seat belt, the shoulder belt adjusts to your
movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard or your vehicle
receives an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the safety belt will
become locked and help reduce your forward movement.
To unfasten the belt, push the red release button on the end of the
buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle. While the belt
retracts, guide the tongue to its original position to prevent it from
striking you or the vehicle.
Safety belt extension assembly
If the safety belt assembly is too short, even when fully extended, 20 cm
(8 inches) can be added to the safety belt assembly by adding a safety
belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extension
assemblies can be obtained from your dealer at no cost.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too
short for you when fully extended. Do not use extensions to change the
fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The seat belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The safety belt warning light
illuminates1-2 minutes and the
warning chime sounds 4-8 seconds.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled while the indicator
light is illuminated and the
warning chime is sounding...The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
Seating and safety restraints
89

Belt minder (if equipped)
The Belt Minder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt
warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the
driver that the driver's safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently
sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the
instrument cluster.
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the vehicle has
reached at least 5 km/h (3
mph) and 1-2 minutes have
elapsed since the ignition
switch has been turned to
ON...The Belt Minder feature is activated -
the safety belt warning light
illuminates and the warning chime
sounds for 6 seconds every 30
seconds, repeating for approximately
5 minutes or until safety belt is
buckled.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled while the safety belt
indicator light is illuminated
and the safety belt warning
chime is sounding...The Belt Minder feature will not
activate.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The Belt Minder feature will not
activate.
The purpose of the Belt Minder is to remind occasional wearers to wear
safety belts all of the time.
Seating and safety restraints
90

Determining if the system is operational
The supplemental restraint system uses a warning indicator in the
instrument cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theRestraints Warning Indicatorsection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light (same light
for front and side air bag system)
will either flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental
restraint system serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in
the event of a collision.
How do the air bag supplemental restraints work?
The air bags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation. After air bag
deployment, it is normal to notice a
smoke-like, powdery residue or
smell the burnt propellant. This may
consist of cornstarch, talcum
powder (to lubricate the bag) or
sodium compounds (e.g., baking
soda) that result from the
combustion process that inflates the
air bag. Small amounts of sodium
hydroxide may be present which
may irritate the skin and eyes, but
none of the residue is toxic.
While the system is designed to help
reduce serious injuries, contact with
a deploying air bag may also cause abrasions, swelling or temporary
hearing loss. Because air bags must inflate rapidly and with considerable
force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries such as fractures,
Seating and safety restraints
97

ABS warning lampABS
TheABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced.
With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal
braking is still effective unless the
brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake
released. (If your brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the ABS is
required, apply continuous force on the brake. The ABS will be
activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full steering control
of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will enable you
to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
²The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time necessary to apply
the brakes or always reduce stopping distance. Always leave enough
room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking
technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
114