2008 FORD TAURUS warning

Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel cap may
not be properly installed. Continued
driving with this light on may cause
the Check engine warning light to
come on, refer toFuel filler capin
theMaintenance and Specificationchapter.
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 authorized dealer. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level or a
brake system malfunction and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your authorized dealer.
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 authorized dealer. Driving extended distances with
the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and the risk of
personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer. 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 Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Traction Control™
(if equipped):Illuminates when
the Traction Control™ is active or
has been disabled (by the driver or
as a result of a system failure). If
the light remains on, it indicates a
Traction Control or an AWD Fault. Have the system serviced
immediately, refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains ON at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
When the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will illuminate for 3
seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn ON or
begins to flash, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For
more information on this system, refer toUnderstanding Your Tire
Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between “H” and
“C”).If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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MESSAGE CENTER
With the ignition in the ON position,
the message center, located on your
instrument cluster, displays
important vehicle information
through a constant monitor of
vehicle systems.You may select
display features on the message center for a display of status. The
system will also notify you of potential vehicle problems with a display of
system warnings followed by a long indicator chime.
Selectable features
Reset
Press this control to select and reset functions shown in the INFO menu
and SETUP menu.
Info menu
This control displays the following
control displays:
•Odometer
•Trip Odometer
•Distance to Empty
•Average Fuel Economy
•Trip Elapsed Drive Time
•Compass Display
•Compass Zone Adjustment
•Compass Calibration Adjustment
Odometer/Trip odometer
Refer toGaugesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Distance to empty (DTE)
Selecting this function from the
INFO menu estimates approximately
how far you can drive with the fuel
remaining in your tank under
normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition OFF
when refueling to allow this feature to correctly detect the added fuel.
2008 Taurus(tau)
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USA(fus)
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The DTE function will display FUEL LEVEL LOW and a single tone
when you have approximately 50 miles (80 km) to empty. If you RESET
this warning message, this display and tone will return within 10 minutes.
DTE is calculated using a running average fuel economy, which is based
on your recent driving history of 500 miles (800 km). This value is not
the same as the average fuel economy display. The running average fuel
economy is reinitialized to a factory default value if the battery is
disconnected.
Average fuel economy (AFE)
Select this function from the INFO
menu to display your average fuel
economy in miles/gallon or
liters/100 km.
If you calculate your average fuel
economy by dividing 100 miles traveled by gallons of fuel used
(kilometers traveled by liters used), your figure may be different than
displayed for the following reasons:
•Your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
•Differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
•Variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
•Rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 gallon (liter)
1. Drive the vehicle at least 5 miles (8 km) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the RESET control after setting the speed
control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
For more information refer toFuel Informationin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
Trip elapsed drive time
Select this function from the INFO
menu to display a timer.
To operate the Trip Elapsed Drive
Time perform the following:
1. Press and release RESET in order
to start the timer.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
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Setup menu
Press this control for the following
displays:
•System Check
•Oil Life
•Language
•Units (English/Metric)
•Autolamp Delay (if equipped)
•Autolock (if equipped)
•Autounlock (if equipped)
•Easy entry/exit seat (if equipped)
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either
an OK message or a warning message for two to four seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
1. OIL LIFE
2. CHARGING SYSTEM
3. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
4. DOORS CLOSED
5. TRUNK CLOSED
6. BRAKE SYSTEM
7. TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
8. DISTANCE TO EMPTY
Oil life
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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1. To disable/enable the autolamp
delay feature, select this function
from the SETUP control for the
current display mode.
2. Press the RESET control to select
the new Autolamp delay values of 0,
10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 seconds.
Autolock (if equipped)
This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the vehicle is
shifted into any gear, putting the vehicle in motion.
1. To disable/enable the autolock
feature, select this function from the
SETUP control for the current
display mode.
2. Press the RESET control to turn
the autolock ON or OFF.
Autounlock (if equipped)
This feature automatically unlocks all vehicle doors when the driver’s
door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being turned off.
1. To disable/enable the autounlock
feature, select this function from the
SETUP control for the current
display mode.
2. Press the RESET control switch
to turn the autounlock ON or OFF.
Easy entry/exit seat (if equipped)
This feature automatically moves the drivers seat backwards for easy exit
from the vehicle.
1. To disable/enable the easy
entry/exit seat feature, select this
function from the SETUP control for
the current display mode.
2. Press the RESET control to turn
the easy entry/exit seat ON or OFF.
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
2008 Taurus(tau)
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In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for several
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
•They will not disappear until a condition is changed.
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warnings Status
Driver door ajar Warning cannot be reset (CLOSE
DOOR TO RESET) will be displayed
Passenger door ajar
Rear Left door ajar
Rear Right door ajar
Fuel level low Warning returns after 10 minutes
Check charging system
Check brake system
Brake fluid level low Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to RUN
Park brake engaged
Low tire pressure
Tire pressure monitor fault
Tire pressure sensor fault
Trunk ajar
Washer fluid level low
Change oil soon
Oil change required
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
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