
SPECIAL NOTICES
Emission warranty
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage,
Safety Restraint Coverage, Corrosion Coverage, and 6.0L Power Stroke
Diesel Engine Coverage. In addition, your vehicle is eligible for Emissions
Defect and Emissions Performance Warranties. For a detailed description
of what is covered and what is not covered, refer to theWarranty Guide
that is provided to you along with yourOwner’s Guide.
Service Data Recording
Service data recorders in your vehicle are capable of collecting and
storing diagnostic information about your vehicle. This potentially
includes information about the performance or status of various systems
and modules in the vehicle, such as engine, throttle, steering or brake
systems. In order to properly diagnose and service your vehicle, Ford
Motor Company, Ford of Canada, and service and repair facilities may
access vehicle diagnostic information through a direct connection to your
vehicle when diagnosing or servicing your vehicle.
Event Data Recording
Other modules in your vehicle — event data recorders — are capable of
collecting and storing data during a crash or near crash event. The
recorded information may assist in the investigation of such an event.
The modules may record information about both the vehicle and the
occupants, potentially including information such as:
•how various systems in your vehicle were operating;
•whether or not the driver and passenger seatbelts were buckled;
•how far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or the
brake pedal;
•how fast the vehicle was traveling; and
•where the driver was positioning the steering wheel.
To access this information, special equipment must be directly connected
to the recording modules. Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada do
not access event data recorder information without obtaining consent,
unless pursuant to court order or where required by law enforcement,
other government authorities or other third parties acting with lawful
authority. Other parties may seek to access the information
independently of Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
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These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Powertrain MalfunctionSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
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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
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
OIL PRESSURE LOW.Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped).Displayed when the
Traction Controlsystem is not operating properly. If this warning stays
on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction controlin theDrivingchapter.
DATA ERR.These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
•Fuel computer
•Charging system
•Coolant system
•Traction control (if equipped)
•Door sensor
•Brake fluid
•Compass (if equipped)•Outside temperature (if
equipped)
•Engine sensor
•Transmission sensor
•Fuel cap sensor
•Seat belt sensor
•Park brake
•Oil pressure sensor
Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a
regular basis.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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SEATING
Notes:
Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to slide under the
seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Do not pile cargo higher than the seatbacks to reduce the risk of
injury in a collision or sudden stop.
Before returning the seatback to its original position, make sure
that cargo or any objects are not trapped behind the seatback.
After returning the seatback to its original position, pull on the
seatback to ensure that it has fully latched. An unlatched seat may
become dangerous in the event of a sudden stop or collision.
Adjustable head restraints (front seats)
Head restraints help to limit head motion in the event of a rear collision.
The front seats in your vehicle have adjustable head restraints. Adjust
your head restraint so that it is located directly or as close as possible
behind your head.
Raise the head restraint by pulling it
upward.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
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To lower the head restraint:
•Push the release control.
•Push down on the head restraint.
Using the manual lumbar support (if equipped)
The lumbar control is located on the
front of the seat cushion.
Turn to adjust lumbar support.
Adjusting the front manual seat (if equipped)
Never adjust the driver’s seat or seatback when the vehicle is
moving.
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
Lift handle to move seat forward or
backward.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
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REAR SEATS
2nd seat/split-folding rear seat (if equipped)
Pull the loop forward to release the
seatback and then fold the seatback
down.
When raising the seatback(s), make sure you hear the seat latch into
place.
Make sure that the safety belt for the rear center passenger is properly
routed over the rear seatback.
Before returning the seatback to its original position, make sure
that cargo or any objects are not trapped behind the seatback.
After returning the seatback to its original position, pull on the
seatback to ensure that it has fully latched. An unlatched seat may
become dangerous in the event of a sudden stop or collision.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Personal Safety System
The Personal Safety Systemprovides an improved overall level of
frontal crash protection to front seat occupants and is designed to help
further reduce the risk of airbag-related injuries. The system is able to
analyze different occupant classifications and conditions and crash
severity before activating the appropriate safety devices to help better
protect a range of occupants in a variety of frontal crash situations.
Your vehicle’s Personal Safety Systemconsists of:
•Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints.
•Front safety belts with pretensioners, energy management retractors,
and safety belt usage sensors.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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•Driver’s seat position sensor.
•Front crash severity sensor.
•Front passenger sensing system
•Passenger Airbag Off indicator light.
•Restraints Control Module (RCM) with impact and safing sensors.
•Restraint system warning light and back-up tone.
•The electrical wiring for the airbags, crash sensor(s), safety belt
pretensioners, front safety belt usage sensors, driver seat position
sensor, and indicator lights.
How does the Personal Safety Systemwork?
The Personal Safety Systemcan adapt the deployment strategy of your
vehicle’s safety devices according to crash severity and occupant
classification and conditions. A collection of crash and occupant sensors
provides information to the Restraints Control Module (RCM). During a
crash, the RCM activates the safety belt pretensioners and/or either
none, one, or both stages of the dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints
based on crash severity and occupant classification and conditions.
The fact that the pretensioners or airbags did not activate for both front
seat occupants in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with
the system. Rather, it means the Personal Safety Systemdetermined
the accident conditions (crash severity, belt usage, etc.) were not
appropriate to activate these safety devices. Front airbags are designed
to activate in frontal and near-frontal collisions (not rollovers, side
impacts or rear impacts) unless the collision causes sufficient
longitudinal deceleration. The pretensioners are designed to activate in
frontal and near-frontal collisions, and in side collisions when the vehicle
is equipped with side airbags.
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints
The dual-stage airbags offer the capability to tailor the level of airbag
inflation energy. A lower, less forceful energy level is provided for more
common, moderate-severity impacts. A higher energy level is used for
the most severe impacts. Refer toAirbag Supplemental Restraints
section in this chapter.
Front crash severity sensor
The front crash severity sensor enhances the ability to detect the
severity of an impact. Positioned up front, it provides valuable
information early in the crash event on the severity of the impact. This
2006 Taurus(tau)
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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