2004 FORD TAURUS Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
9

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Service
engine soon warning light to come
on. Refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
Instrument Cluster
10

Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (if
equipped):If the ABS light stays
illuminated or continues to flash, a
malfunction has been detected, have
the system serviced immediately.
Normal braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
11

Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Traction Control
active (if
equipped):Flashes when the
Traction Control
is active. If the
light remains on a malfunction has
been detected; have the system
serviced immediately, refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
Speed control (if equipped):
Illuminates when the speed control
is activated. Turns off when the
speed control system is deactivated.
Securilock
Anti-theft system:
Flashes when the Securilock

Passive Anti-theft System has been
activated. Refer toSecurilock
Passive Anti-theft Systemin theLocks
and Securitychapter.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
CRUISE
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between“H”and
“C”).If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Tachometer:Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13

Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The FUEL icon and arrow indicates
which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
Odometer:Registers the total
kilometers (miles) of the vehicle.
Refer toMessage Centerin the
Drivers Controlschapter on how to
switch the display from Metric to
English.
Trip odometer:Registers the
kilometers (miles) of individual
journeys. Press and release the
message center INFO button until
“TRIP”appears in the display (this
represents the trip mode). Press
and hold the RESET button for three seconds to reset.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
14

AM/FM STEREO (IF EQUIPPED)
1.Clock:To set the hour, press and
hold the H control. When the
desired hour appears, release the
control.
To set the minute, press and hold
the M control. When the desired
minute appears, release the control.
2.Bass:Press
/to
decrease/increase the bass output.
3.Treble:Press
/to
decrease/increase the treble output.
4.Balance:Press
/to shift
sound to the left/right speakers.
5.Fade:Press
/to shift
sound to the rear/front speakers.
6.Scan:Press SCAN to hear a brief
sampling of all listenable radio
stations. Press again to stop.
7.Memory preset buttons:To set
a station: Select frequency band
BASS
TREB
BAL
FADE
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
Entertainment Systems
15

AM/FM1/FM2; tune to a station, press and hold a preset button until
sound returns.
8.Tune:Press
/to change
frequency down/up.
9.Seek:Press and release
/
for previous/next strong station.
10.Power/volume:Press to turn
ON/OFF; turn to increase or
decrease volume levels.
11.AM/FM:Press to choose a
frequency band AM/FM1/FM2.
AM/FM STEREO CASSETTE/MACHAUDIO SYSTEM WITH AM/FM
STEREO CASSETTE (IF EQUIPPED)
1.Tape:Insert the cassette with the
opening to the right. If a tape is
already inserted into the system,
press TAPE to begin tape play.
VOL
PUSH ON
AM
FM
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
16