2004 FORD TAURUS ignition

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
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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
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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
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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
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5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
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.
•A 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. The 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:
•Improves the customer’s driving comfort by reducing particle
concentration
•Improves the interior compartment cleanliness
•Protects 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, see your Ford, Lincoln or
Mercury Dealer.
R
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Climate Controls
28

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
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.
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise to OFF.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the ON position and
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or parking lamp.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate with your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
A
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
Lights
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Dome lamps and map lamps
•ON or
D: The dome light will
stay on.
•DOOR or middle position: The
dome light will only come on if a
door is opened.
•OFF or
: The lamp will not
come on at all.
With the control in the middle position, the dome lamp will illuminate
whenever a front door is opened. If either front door has been opened
from the outside, the lamp will remain on for 25 seconds after the door
is shut. If any other door has been opened from the inside, the lamp will
shut off immediately after the door is closed.
The map lamp controls (if
equipped) are located on the dome
lamp. Press the controls on either
side of each lens on each map lamp
to activate the lamps.
Rear dome lamp (if equipped)
The dome lamp lights when:
•any door is opened with the
control in the middle position.
•the instrument panel dimmer
switch is held up until the
courtesy lamps come on.
•any of the remote entry controls
are pressed and the ignition is
OFF.
•the 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 all the bulbs frequently.
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
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POWER WINDOWS
When closing the power
windows, you should verify
they are free of obstructions and
ensure that children and/or pets
are not in the proximity of the
window openings.
Press and hold the bottom part of the rocker switch to open the window.
Press and hold the top part of the rocker switch to close the window.
One touch down
Allows the driver’s window to open
fully without holding the control
down. Press completely down on
AUTO and release quickly. Press
again to stop.
Window lock
The window lock feature allows only
the driver to operate the power
windows.
To lock out all the window controls
except for the driver’s press the left
side of the control. Press the right
side to restore the window controls.
Accessory delay (if equipped)
With accessory delay, the window switches may be used for up to ten
minutes after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position or until
any door is opened.
MIRRORS
Automatic dimming inside rear view mirror (if equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with an inside rear view mirror which has an
auto-dimming function. The electronic day/night mirror will automatically
2004 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
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