2002 FORD TAURUS instrument panel

The air conditioning compressor can operate in all modes except
and. However, the air conditioning will only function if the outside
temperature is about 6ÉC (43ÉF) 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.
²
(Floor) ± Distributes 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, 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 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Climate Controls
41

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 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner
will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Operating tips
²In humid weather conditions, place the climate control system in
Defrost mode before driving. This will reduce fogging on your
windshield. Once the windshield has been cleared, operate the climate
control system as desired.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in cold weather
conditions, don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF or
MAX A/C position.
²
To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in warm weather conditions,
don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF position.
²Under normal weather conditions, your vehicle's climate control
system should be left in any position other than the MAX A/C or OFF
when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº
through the outside air inlet duct.
²Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle's climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during warm
weather conditions, the air conditioner will perform more efficiently in
cooling the vehicle if driven for two or three minutes with the
windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been ªaired outº, operate the climate
control system as desired.
²Do not put objects under the front seat which may interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats (if equipped).
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield and underneath the hood).
²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce visibility through your windshield. Avoid
placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These objects
may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in addition
to, damaging the climate control system.
Climate Controls
42

To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select the position that distributes air through the Panel and Floor.
2. Set the temperature control to full heat.
3. Set the fan speed to full fan.
4. Direct the outer panel vents towards the side windows.
5. To increase airflow to the outer panel vents, close the central panel
vents.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
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
Climate Controls
43

²(Floor)-Distributes outside air through the floor ducts. Heating
and air conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. The air will
be heated or cooled based on temperature selection.
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. 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
(Panel)-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.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. The temperature
will remain unchanged and air will be cooled based on the selected
temperature. To exit, press AUTOMATIC or any other override
controls. MAX A/C is noisier than normal A/C but more economical
and will cool the inside of the vehicle faster. Airflow is from the
instrument panel registers. This mode can also be used to prevent
undesirable odors from entering the vehicle.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to reduce undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
Displaying outside temperature
Press OUTSIDE TEMP to display
the outside air temperature. It will
be displayed until OUTSIDE TEMP
is pressed again or until any other
control is pressed. When the EATC
system is off and OUTSIDE TEMP is
pressed, the outside temperature
will only be displayed for four
seconds.
The outside temperature reading is most accurate when the vehicle is
moving. Higher readings may be obtained when the vehicle is not
moving. The readings that you get may not agree with temperatures
given on the radio due to differences in vehicle and station locations.
AUTO
TEMPOFFTEMP
MAX
A/C
OUTSIDE
Climate Controls
48

Operating tips
²In humid weather conditions, place the climate control system in
F
before driving. This will reduce fogging on your windshield.
Once the windshield has been cleared, operate the climate control
system as desired.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in cold weather
conditions, don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF or
MAX A/C position.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in warm weather
conditions, don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF
position.
²Under normal weather 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.
²Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle's climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during warm
weather conditions, the air conditioner will perform more efficiently in
cooling the vehicle if driven for two or three minutes with the
windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been ªaired outº, operate the climate
control system as desired.
²Do not place 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 base of
the windshield.
²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Avoid placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These
objects may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in
addition to damaging the 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.
Climate Controls
49

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.
Activating the rear window defroster will also activate the heated mirrors
(if equipped). For more information refer toHeated outside mirrorsin
theDriver controls chapter.
CABIN AIR FILTER (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cabin air filter. This particulate air
filtration system is designed to reduce the concentration of airborne
particles such as dust, spores and pollen in the air being supplied to the
interior of the vehicle. The particulate filtration system gives the
following benefits to customers:
²Improves the customer's driving comfort by reducing particle
concentration
²Improves the interior compartment cleanliness
²Protects the climate control components from particle deposits
The filter is located just in front of the windshield under the cowl grille
on the passenger side of the vehicle.
For more information, or to replace the filter, contact your Ford, Lincoln
or Mercury Dealer.
R
Climate Controls
50

High beams
²Push forward to activate.
²Pull toward you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
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.
²Rotate to full down position (past detent) to turn off interior lamps.
The dome lamp will not illuminate if the control switch is in the OFF
position.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by a qualified service technician.
A
Lights
52

Rear dome lamp (if equipped)
The dome lamp lights when:
²any door is opened with the
control in the middle position.
²the instrument panel dimmer
switch is held up until the
courtesy lamps come on.
²any of the remote entry controls
are pressed and the ignition is
OFF.
²the lamp control is moved to the passenger side position.
With the ignition key in the ACC or ON position, the rear dome lamp can
be turned ON or OFF by sliding the control.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be replaced immediately. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs
must be marked with an authorized ªD.O.T.º for North America and an
ªEº for Europe to assure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern
and safe visibility. The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly
or void the lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn
time.
Lights
56