•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles:
It is not recommended to tow front wheel drive vehicles with the front
drive wheels on the ground. It is recommended to tow your vehicle with
the drive wheels on a dolly or two wheel car hauling trailer.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following
conditions:
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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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 Controlsystem. 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 Controloperation,
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 Controlswitch,
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 Controlsystem 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 Controlsystem off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
T/C O
F
F
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Driving
147
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 Controlsystem 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)
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Driving
153
Fuse/relay
locationFuse amp
ratingPower distribution box description
20 — Not used
21 — Not used
22 5A* Heated PCV valve
23 — Starter motor relay
24 — Fan relay
25 — Wiper speed relay
26 10A* Alternator
27 5A* Rear control unit
28 15A* HEGO sensor, Transmission shift
solenoid, A/C clutch relay, Canister vent
29 — Wiper park relay
30 — Fuel pump relay
31 — PCM power relay
32 — Fan relay
33 — A/C clutch relay
* - Mini Fuses ** - Maxi Fuses CB - Circuit breaker
Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced
by qualified technicians.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may damage
your tires.
Temporary spare tire information
The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller
than a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace the
temporary spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as possible.
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Roadside Emergencies
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If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
•Use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use tire chains
•Drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle’s reduced
ground clearance
•Try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
•Use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information (if equipped)
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for temporary
use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should replace it as
soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size and type as
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Roadside Emergencies
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the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by Ford. If the
dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be replaced rather
than repaired.
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel,do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to impairment of the
following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional caution
should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a dissimilar spare tire/wheel and seek
service as soon as possible.
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate hazard flashers and set parking brake.
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
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Roadside Emergencies
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•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
211
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
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