2006 FORD TAURUS traction control

11.Maximum Load:Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label, which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door, for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
12.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
•Treadwear:The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
12) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
•Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
•Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire
manufacturers’ maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at
which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is
normally higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door.
The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower than the
recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
124

Park brake warning chime
Sounds when the parking brake is set, the engine is running, the vehicle
speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h), and the transaxle is not in P
(Park) or N (Neutral). The chime will shut off when the parking brake is
disengaged.
TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control
system. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads
and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction in these conditions.
During Traction Control
operation,
the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric
motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the
engine will not “rev-up” when you push further on the accelerator. This
is normal system behavior and should be no reason for concern.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control

event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
The Traction Control
switch,
located on the right-hand side of the
instrument cluster, has an indicator
light that illuminates when the
system is off. The Traction Control

system will automatically turn on
every time the ignition is turned off
and on. The Traction Control
system should normally be left on.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Control
system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
T/C O
F
F
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
147

If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Control
button will not turn the system on or
off and your vehicle should be serviced.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system, never hold the steering
wheel at its furthest turning points (until it stops) for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
It is also important to maintain a proper power steering fluid level in the
power steering fluid reservoir:
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
SeeChecking and adding power steering fluidin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the maximum
level, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir. SeeChecking and
adding power steering fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
148

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If necessary, try turning the Traction Control
system off. This will allow
the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck vehicle. For more
information, refer toTraction Control
(if equipped)in this chapter.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the
bottom of the wheel rims (for cars). When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine or your vehicle may
stall.Driving through deep water where the transmission vent
tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission and
cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
153

Fuse/relay
locationFuse amp
ratingPassenger compartment fuse panel
description
19 10A Heated mirrors, Rear defrost switch
indicator
20 10A Restraints (air bag module/OCS module)
21 15A Transmission range sensor (transmission
position switch)
22 15A Front washer pump, Cluster (RUN/ACC),
Integrated Control Panel (ICP) logic,
Electrochromatic mirror
23 30A Front wiper motor
24 — Not used
25 20A Power point
26 20A Power locks, Trunk release
27 10A Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Speed
control, Traction control, Brake-shift
interlock, A/C function switch (manual A/C
only), Temperature blend door (manual A/C
only), Defrost coil
28 15A Turn signals, Back-up lamps
29 20A Cigar lighter
30 10A Courtesy lighting, Battery saver, Power
mirrors, Decklid lamp, Glove box lamp
31 10A Blower motor relay coil, Electronic
Automatic Temperature Control (EATC)
logic
32 10A Cluster, Flex fuel module, ICP logic, Passive
anti-theft module (GEM power), Compass
33 15A Hazard flasher, Cluster power, ICP power,
EATC
34 5A GEM logic
35 10A Backlighting, Ashtray light
36 2A Powertrain Control Module (PCM) relay,
Fuel pump relay, A/C clutch
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
159

Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................80, 84–88
Safety defects, reporting ..........182
Safety restraints ..............80, 84–88
belt minder ...............................90
extension assembly ..................94
for adults .............................85–87
for children .....................104–105
lap belt ......................................89
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................82
safety belt maintenance ...........94
warning light and chime ....89–90
Safety seats for children ..........107
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................222
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............80
Seats ............................................77
child safety seats ....................107
front seats .................................78
Servicing your vehicle ..............189
Setting the clock
AM/FM/Cassette ........................15
AM/FM/CD .................................18
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........162
Spark plugs,
specifications .............217, 220–221
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................219–220
Speed control ..............................45
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......143
Starting your
vehicle ........................140–141, 143
jump starting ..........................168Steering wheel
tilting .........................................41
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................41
Tires ...........................116–117, 162
alignment ................................128
care ..........................................126
changing ..........................162, 164
checking the pressure ............119
inspecting and inflating .........118
label .........................................126
replacing ..................................121
rotating ....................................128
safety practices .......................127
sidewall information ...............121
snow tires and chains ............130
spare tire .................................163
terminology .............................117
tire grades ...............................117
treadwear ........................116, 126
Towing .......................................136
recreational towing .................139
trailer towing ..........................136
wrecker ....................................173
Traction control ........................147
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............218
lubricant specifications ..........220
Transmission .............................148
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....148
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................215
lubricant specifications ..........219
Trunk .....................................62, 64
remote release ....................62, 67
Turn signal ..................................32
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................221
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
231