
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5(START).
2. Turn the key to 5 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start
within five seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait 10 seconds
and try again. If the engine still fails to start, press the accelerator to the
floor and try again; this will allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut
off in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Cold weather starting (flexible fuel vehicles only)
In cold weather, ethanol fuel distributors should supply winter grade
(E
d85) ethanol. If summer grade (Ed85) ethanol is used in cold weather,
you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle or hesitation
until the engine has warmed up. Consult your fuel distributor for the
availability of winter grade (E
d85) ethanol. High-quality blends of winter
grade (E
d85) ethanol will produce satisfactory cold weather starting and
driving results.
Cold starting performance can also be improved by using an engine block
heater. Engine block heaters are available as an option and can be
obtained from your Ford dealer. Consult the engine block heater section
for proper use of the engine block heater.
If you experience cold weather starting problems on (E
d85) ethanol, and
neither an alternative brand of (E
d85) ethanol nor an engine block
heater is available, adding unleaded gasoline to your tank will improve
cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate on (E
d85)
ethanol, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the two.
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions
(flexible fuel vehicles only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
3
4
1 2
5
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
143

3. Connect the negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal of the
assisting battery.
4. Make the final connection of the negative (-) cable. Make the
connection to an exposed metal part of the stalled vehicle’s engine, away
from the battery and the fuel injection system.Do notuse fuel lines,
engine rocker covers or the intake manifold asgroundingpoints.
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may cause an
explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of
both engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
+–+–
+–+–
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
170

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment, it
is recommended that the front wheels (drive wheels) be placed on a
dolly to prevent damage to the transaxle.
If your vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels on the ground:
•Place the transaxle in N (Neutral).
•DO NOT exceed the distance of 50 miles (80 km).
•DO NOT exceed the speed of 35 mph (56 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
173

INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CLUSTER LENS
Clean the instrument panel with a damp cloth, then with a clean, dry
cloth, or use Motorcraft Dash & Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-38-A).
•Avoid cleaners or polish that increase the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the air bag system.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the interior painted
surfaces.
INTERIOR TRIM
•Clean the interior trim areas with a damp cloth, then with a clean, dry
cloth; you may also use Motorcraft Dash & Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-38-A).
•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
air bags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Cleaning
186

A
Accessory delay ..........................44
Air cleaner filter .......................217
Air conditioning ..........................25
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ............................95–96, 102
and child safety seats ..............97
description ........................96, 102
disposal ....................................104
driver airbag ................96, 98, 103
indicator light .........................101
operation .....................96, 98, 103
passenger airbag .........96, 98, 103
side airbag ...............................102
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................198
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................145
Anti-theft system ........................75
arming the system ....................76
disarming a triggered
system .......................................76
Audio system (see Radio) ...15, 18
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................215
fluid, checking ........................215
fluid, refill capacities ..............218
fluid, specification ..................220
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................151
Auxiliary power point .................42
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........219
B
Battery .......................................196acid, treating emergencies .....196
jumping a disabled battery ....168
maintenance-free ....................196
replacement, specifications ...217
servicing ..................................196
BeltMinder ...................................90
Brakes ........................................144
anti-lock ...................................145
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................146
fluid, checking and adding ....215
fluid, refill capacities ..............218
fluid, specifications .........219–220
lubricant specifications ..219–220
parking ....................................146
shift interlock ..........................148
Bulbs ............................................33
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....218
Cargo net .....................................62
CD changer .................................20
CD-single premium ...............15, 18
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................162
Child safety restraints ..............105
child safety belts ....................105
Child safety seats ......................107
attaching with tether straps ..112
in front seat ............................109
in rear seat ......................109, 111
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............184
instrument panel ....................186
interior .....................................186
interior trim ............................186
plastic parts ............................185
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
227

Keys
positions of the ignition .........140
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................33
daytime running light ...............29
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....30
interior lamps ...........................32
replacing
bulbs ..................33, 35, 37–38, 40
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........146
Load limits .................................130
Locks
childproof ..................................64
doors ..........................................63
Lubricant specifications ...219–220
Lug nuts ....................................167
Lumbar support, seats ...............78
M
Message center ...........................53
english/metric button ...............58
system check button ................58
warning messages .....................59
Mirrors ...................................42, 44
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................44
heated ........................................45
side view mirrors (power) .......45
Moon roof ....................................48Motorcraft parts ........187, 209, 217
O
Octane rating ............................207
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................193
Overdrive ...................................150
P
Parking brake ............................146
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....217
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................82
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................160
Power door locks ........................63
Power mirrors .............................45
Power point .................................42
Power steering ..........................148
fluid, checking and adding ....214
fluid, refill capacity ................218
fluid, specifications .........219–220
Power Windows ...........................43
R
Radio ......................................15, 18
Rear window defroster ...............27
Relays ........................................162
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................69
locking/unlocking doors ...........63
opening the trunk .....................67
Roadside assistance ..................154
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............94
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
230

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