2008 FORD TAURUS engine

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.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
111

REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the left rear door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the right rear door is not
completely closed.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
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.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized 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.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the park brake is engaged.
If the warning stays on after the park brake is off, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TRUNK AJAR.Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
115

OIL CHANGE REQUIRED/CHANGE OIL SOON.Displayed when the
engine oil life remaining is 5 percent or less. When oil life left is between
5% and 0%, the CHANGE OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed.
INTERIOR TRUNK CONTROL
Press the remote trunk release
control on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel.
CARGO AREA FEATURES
Cargo net (if equipped)
The cargo net secures lightweight
objects in the cargo area. Attach the
net to the anchors provided. Do not
put more than 50 lbs. (22 kg) in the
net.
This net is not designed to
restrain objects during a
collision.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
116

Unlocking and locking the doors using keyless entry
To unlock the driver’s door,enter the factory set 5-digit code or your
personal code. Each number must be pressed within five seconds of each
other. The interior lamps will illuminate.Note:If the two-stage unlocking
feature is disabled, all doors will unlock; for more information regarding
two-stage unlocking, refer to theTwo stage unlockingsection earlier in
this chapter.
To unlock all doors,enter the factory set code or your personal code,
then press the 3•4 control within five seconds.
To lock all doors,press the 7•8 and the 9•0 at the same time (with
the driver’s door closed). Youdo notneed to enter the keypad code first.
SECURILOCK™ PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system is an engine immobilization
system. This system is designed to help prevent the engine from being
started unless acoded Integrated Keyhead Transmitter (IKT)
programmed to your vehicleis used. The use of the wrong type of
coded key may lead to a “no-start” condition.
Your vehicle comes with two coded Integrated Keyhead Transmitters;
additional coded IKTs may be purchased from your authorized dealer.
Standard SecuriLock™ keys without remote entry transmitter
functionality can also be purchased from your authorized dealer if
desired. The authorized dealer can program your spare IKTs to your
vehicle or you can program the IKTs yourself. Refer toProgramming
spare Integrated Keyhead Transmittersfor instructions on how to
program the coded key.
Note:The SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system is not compatible with
non-Ford aftermarket remote start systems. Use of these systems may
result in vehicle starting problems and a loss of security protection.
Note:Large metallic objects, electronic devices that are used to
purchase gasoline or similar items, or a second coded key on the same
key chain may cause vehicle starting issues. You need to prevent these
objects from touching the coded IKT while starting the engine. These
objects will not cause damage to the coded IKT, but may cause a
momentary issue if they are too close to the IKT when starting the
engine. If a problem occurs, turn the ignition off, remove all objects on
the key chain away from the coded IKT and restart the engine.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
132

Replacing coded keys can be very costly. Store an extra programmed key
away from the vehicle in a safe place to help prevent any
inconveniences. Please visit an authorized dealer to purchase additional
spare or replacement keys.
Programming spare keys
You can program your own Integrated Keyhead Transmitters or standard
SecuriLock™ coded keys to your vehicle. This procedure will program
both the engine immobilizer keycode and the remote entry transmitter
portion of the IKT to your vehicle.Note: A maximum of eight coded
keys can be programmed to your vehicle; only four of these eight can be
IKTs with remote entry functionality.
Tips:
•Only use Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs) or standard
SecuriLock™ keys.
•You must have two previously programmed coded keys (keys that
already operate your vehicle’s engine) and the new unprogrammed
key(s) readily accessible.
•If two previously programmed coded keys are not available, you must
take your vehicle to your authorized dealer to have the spare key(s)
programmed.
Please read and understand the
entire procedure before you begin.
1. Insert the first previously
programmedcoded keyinto the
ignition.
2. Turn the ignition from the 1 (LOCK) position to the 3 (RUN) position.
Keep the ignition in the 3 (RUN) position for at least three seconds, but
no more than 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition to the 1 (LOCK) position and remove the firstcoded
keyfrom the ignition.
4. Within ten seconds of turning the ignition to the 1 (LOCK) position,
insert the second previouslycoded keyinto the ignition.
5. Turn the ignition from the 1 (LOCK) position to the 3 (RUN) position.
Keep the ignition in the 3 (RUN) position for at least three seconds, but
no more than 10 seconds.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
134

6. Turn the ignition to the 1 (LOCK) position and remove the second
previously programmedcoded keyfrom the ignition.
7. Within twenty seconds of turning the ignition to the 1 (LOCK)
position and removing the previously programmedcoded key,insert the
new unprogrammed key (new key/valet key) into the ignition.
8. Turn the ignition from the 1 (LOCK) position to the 3 (RUN) position.
Keep the ignition in the 3 (RUN) position for at least six seconds.
9. Remove the newly programmedcoded keyfrom the ignition.
If the key has been successfully programmed it will start the vehicle’s
engine and will operate the remote entry system (if the new key is an
Integrated Keyhead Transmitter). The theft indicator light will illuminate
for three seconds and then go out to indicate successful programming.
If the key was not successfully programmed, it will not start your
vehicle’s engine and/or will not operate the remote entry features. The
theft indicator light may flash on and off. Wait 20 seconds and you may
repeat Steps 1 through 8. If failure repeats, bring your vehicle to your
authorized dealer to have the new key(s) programmed.
To program additional new unprogrammed key(s), wait twenty seconds
and then repeat this procedure from Step 1.
PERIMETER ALARM SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The perimeter anti-theft system will help protect your vehicle from
unauthorized entry.
If there is any potential perimeter anti-theft problem with your vehicle,
ensureALL Integrated Keyhead Transmittersare brought to the
authorized dealer to aid in troubleshooting.
Arming the system
When armed, this system will respond if unauthorized entry is
attempted. When unauthorized entry occurs, the system will flash the
turn signal lamps and will sound the horn.
The system is ready to arm whenever the key is in the 1(LOCK)
position, or is removed from the ignition. Either of the following actions
will prearm the alarm system:
•Press the
control on the remote entry transmitter portion of your
Integrated Keyhead Transmitter.
When you press the lock control twice within three seconds on the
remote entry transmitter portion of your IKT, the horn will chirp once
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
135

•The ignition switch is in the OFF position
•The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled
While the design allows you to deactivate your Belt-Minder,this
system is designed to improve your chances of being safely
belted and surviving an accident. We recommend you leave the
Belt-Mindersystem activated for yourself and others who may use the
vehicle. To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the
Belt-Minderfeature while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT
START THE ENGINE)
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off. (Approximately
1 minute)
•Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt
warning light turns off.
3. For the seating position being disabled, at a moderate speed, buckle
then unbuckle the safety belt 9 times, ending in the unbuckled state.
(Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt
warning light turns off.)
•After Step 3, the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
4. Within approximately 7 seconds of the light turning off, buckle then
unbuckle the safety belt.
•This will disable the Belt-Minderfeature for that seating position if it
is currently enabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will
flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds.
•This will enable the Belt-Minderfeature for that seating position if it
is currently disabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will
flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds, followed by 3 seconds with the
light off, then followed by the safety belt warning light flashing 4 times
per second for 3 seconds again.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
158

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The total
load on each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer towingfound in
this chapter or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)– is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)– is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the B-Pillar or
the edge of the driver’s door.
The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR.
Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification Label vehicle
weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle handling
or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
208