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Low fuel (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is at or near empty
(refer toFuel gaugein this
chapter).
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is engaged. Turns
off when the speed control system
is disengaged.
O/D off:Illuminates when the
overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned OFF,
refer to theDrivingchapter. If the
light flashes steadily or does not illuminate, have the transmission
serviced soon, or damage may occur.
Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the SecuriLock™ Passive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
Door ajar (if equipped):
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and any door or
decklid is open.
Throttle Control/Transmission:
Illuminates when a powertrain fault
has been detected. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
O/D
OFF
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Page 80 of 320
3. Turn the ignition switch to RUN and then back to LOCK.
4. Turn the headlamp switch to the autolamp position. The headlamps
will turn on.
5. Wait the desired amount of time for the exit delay you want (up to
three minutes), then turn the headlamp switch to
. The headlamps
will turn off.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
With the ignition on, the foglamps
can be turned on when the
headlamp control is pulled toward
you and is in any of the following
positions:
•Parking lamps
•Low beams
•Autolamps (when active)
The foglamps will not operate when
the high beams are active.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
O
F
F
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
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Page 82 of 320

Vertical aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
•(1) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. Measure the height of the
headlamp bulb center from the
ground and mark an 8 foot
(2.5 meter) horizontal reference line
on the vertical wall or screen at this
height (a piece of masking tape works well).
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and
open the hood.
To see a clearer light pattern for adjusting, you may want to block the
light from one headlamp while adjusting the other.
4. On the wall or screen you will
observe an area of high intensity
light. The top of the high intensity
area should touch the horizontal
reference line, if not, the beam will
need to be adjusted using the next
step.
5. Locate the vertical adjuster on
each headlamp. Using a Phillips #2
screwdriver, turn the adjuster either
clockwise (to adjust down) or
counterclockwise (to adjust up).
The horizontal edge of the brighter
light should touch the horizontal
reference line.
6. Close the hood and turn off the
lamps.
HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
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Page 84 of 320

Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs
must be marked with an authorized “D.O.T.” for North America and an
“E” for Europe to ensure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern
and safe visibility. The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly
or void the lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn
time.
Function Number of bulbsTrade
number
Headlamp high beam 2 9005
Headlamp low beam 2 H11
Front park/turn lamp 23457A or
3457AK
(amber)
Sidemarker lamp (front) 2194A
(amber)
Sidemarker lamp (rear) 2 194A
Tail lamp/brake/turn signal 2 3157K
Backup lamp 2 921
License plate lamp 2 168
High-mount brake lamp 1 921
Foglamp (if equipped) 2 H11
Map lamp 2 12V6W
Dome/reading lamps 3 578
All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your authorized dealer.
Replacing the interior bulbs
Check the operation of all bulbs frequently.
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.
Replacing headlamp (low beam) bulbs
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in the OFF position, then open the
hood.
2. Reach in behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulbs and
connectors.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
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Page 241 of 320
Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is located under the instrument panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 30A Smart window motor
2 15A Brake on/off switch,
High-mounted brake lamp
3 15A SDARS, Bluetooth, Family
entertainment system (FES)/Rear
seat control
4 30A Spare
5 10A SPDJB logic power
6 20A Turn signals
7 10A Low beam headlamps (left)
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
8 10A Low beam headlamps (right)
9 15A Interior lights, Cargo lamps
10 15A Backlighting, Puddle lamps
11 10A All wheel drive
12 7.5A Memory seat/mirror switches,
Memory module
13 5A FEPS module
14 10A Analog clock
15 10A Climate control
16 15A Spare
17 20A All power lock motor feeds,
Decklid release
18 20A Spare
19 25A Moon roof
20 15A OBDII connector
21 15A Fog lamps
22 15A Park lamps, License lamps
23 15A High beam headlamps
24 20A Horn relay
25 10A Demand lamps/Interior lamps
26 10A Instrument panel cluster
27 20A Adjustable pedal switch
28 5A Radio, Radio start signal
29 5A Instrument panel cluster
30 5A Overdrive cancel switch
31 10A Compass, Automatic dimming rear
view mirror
32 10A Restraint control module
33 10A Spare
34 5A AWD module
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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