Page 22 of 232

•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10–12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don’t:
•Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
•Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
CD/CD player care:
Do:
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
Don’t:
•Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
•Insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer magazine.
•Clean using a circular motion.
CD units are designed to play commercially pressed 4.75 in
(12 cm) audio compact discs only. Due to technical
incompatibility, certain recordable and re-recordable compact
discs may not function correctly when used in Ford CD players.
Irregular shaped CDs, CDs with a scratch protection film
attached, and CDs with homemade paper (adhesive) labels should
not be inserted into the CD player. The label may peel and cause
the CD to become jammed. It is recommended that homemade
CDs be identified with permanent felt tip marker rather than
adhesive labels. Ballpoint pens may damage CDs. Please contact
your dealer for further information.
Audio system warranty and service:Refer to theWarranty Guide
for audio system warranty information. If service is necessary, see your
dealer or qualified technician.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Entertainment Systems
22
Page 23 of 232

MANUAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
1.Temperature selection:
Controls the temperature of the
airflow in the vehicle.
2.Passenger airbag indicator
light:Refer toFront passenger
sensing systemin theSeating and
Safety Restraintschapter.
3.Air flow selections:Controls
the direction of the airflow in the vehicle. See the following for a brief
description on each control.
MAX A/C:Distributes recirculated air through the instrument panel
registers to cool the vehicle. This re-cooling of the interior air is more
economical and efficient. Recirculated air may also help reduce
undesirable odors from entering the vehicle.
A/C:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents to cool
the vehicle.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents.
OFF:Outside air is shut out and the climate system is turned off.
:Distributes air through the instrument panel and floor vents.
:Distributes air through the floor vents.
:Distributes air through the windshield defroster vents and floor
vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents. Can
be used to clear the windshield of fog and thin ice.
4.Fan speed adjustment:Controls the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
5.Rear defroster control:Press
to activate/deactivate the rear
window defroster. For more
information, refer toRear window defrosterlater in this chapter.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
23
Page 24 of 232

Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity buildup within the cabin, do not drive with the
selector in the OFF or MAX A/C position when outside temperature is
below 40°F (3°C).
•To improve A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open for
the first 2–3 minutes after starting the vehicle or until the vehicle has
“aired out.”
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•For best cooling results when using the MAX A/C mode, move the
temperature control to full cold and initially set the fan to highest
speed, then adjust the temperature and fan to maintain comfort.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
4. 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.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
24
Page 27 of 232

•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle,do notdrive with the
airflow selector in the OFF position, or with
(recirculated air)
engaged without A/C engaged as well.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•For maximum cooling in the AUTO mode, press AUTO and set to
desired temperature; do not press A/C or
(recirculated air). In
the manual override mode, press
,and A/C, then set the
temperature to 60°F (16°C) and the fan to the highest setting.
•To improve the A/C cool down of the vehicle cabin, drive with the
windows slightly open for the first 2–3 minutes after starting the
vehicle or until the vehicle has “aired out.”
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
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.
R
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
27
Page 29 of 232

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
.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise to
.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the ON position,
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or parking lamp position and
•the parking brake must be disengaged.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate the 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
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
29
Page 30 of 232
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
switches in the vehicle during
headlamp and parklamp operation.
Move the control to the full upright
position, past detent, to turn on the
interior lamps.
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.
Vertical aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
A
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
30
Page 31 of 232
•(1) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. Measure the height of the
headlamp bulb center from the
ground and mark an 8 foot (2.4
meter) horizontal reference line on
the vertical wall or screen at this
height (a piece of masking tape works well).
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and
open the hood.
4. On the wall or screen you will
observe an area of high intensity
light. The top of the high intensity
area should touch the horizontal
reference line, if not, the beam will
need to be adjusted.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
31
Page 32 of 232
To see a clearer light pattern for
adjusting, you may want to block
the light from one headlamp while
adjusting the other.
5. Locate the vertical adjuster on
each headlamp. Usinga4mm
wrench, turn the adjuster either
clockwise (to adjust down) or
counterclockwise (to adjust up).
The horizontal edge of the brighter
light should touch the horizontal
reference line.
6. HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT
REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE
AND IS NON-ADJUSTABLE.
7. Close the hood and turn off the
lamps.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
•Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
•Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
INTERIOR LAMPS
Map lamps/dome lamp
The map lamp controls are located
on the dome lamp. Press the
controls on either side of each lens
on each map lamp to activate the
lamps.
The dome lamp will illuminate
whenever any door is opened, and
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
32