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Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
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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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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
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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.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
The EPA window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy
comparisons with other vehicles.
2008 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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