Locks and Security 131
Keys 131
Locks 132
Anti-theft system 147
Seating and Safety Restraints 152
Seating 152
Safety restraints 166
Airbags 180
Child restraints 194
Tires, Wheels and Loading 209
Tire information 211
Tire inflation 213
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 227
Vehicle loading 231
Trailer towing 237
Recreational towing 239
Driving 241
Starting 241
Brakes 246
Traction Control™ 250
Transmission operation 252
Roadside Emergencies 264
Getting roadside assistance 264
Hazard flasher switch 265
Fuel pump shut-off switch 266
Fuses and relays 266
Changing tires 273
Lug nut torque 280
Jump starting 281
Wrecker towing 286
Table of Contents
2
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
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 X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
14
Radio Display Condition Action Required
ACQUIRING Radio requires more
than two seconds to
produce audio for the
selected channel.No action required.
This message should
disappear shortly.
SAT FAULT Internal module or
system failure
present.If this message does
not clear within a short
period of time, or with
an ignition key cycle,
your receiver may have
a fault. See your
authorized dealer for
service.
INVALID CHNL Channel no longer
available.This previously
available channel is no
longer available. Tune
to another channel. If
the channel was one of
your presets, you may
choose another channel
for that preset button.
UNSUBSCRIBED Subscription not
available for this
channel.Contact SIRIUS at
1–888–539–7474 to
subscribe to the
channel or tune to
another channel.
NO TEXT Artist information not
available.Artist information not
available at this time on
this channel. The
system is working
properly.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Entertainment Systems
43
(Wireless headphone volume is controlled with the rotary dial on the
right ear piece.)
8.Fast Forward/Next:In DVD mode, press and hold for a quick
advance within the DVD. Press and release to advance to the next
chapter. In CD/MP3 mode, press to access the next track.
9.Play/Pause:Press to play or pause a DVD.
10.SHUFFLE:Press to play all tracks on the current CD/MP3 disc in
random order.
11.STOP:Press to stop the current DVD or CD/MP3.
12.
/Speaker/Headphone(Single/Dual Play): Press to toggle
between Single Play (same media playing through all speakers) and Dual
Play (headphone mode — the rear speakers are muted). You can also
press the 2 and 4 memory presets on the audio system at the same time
to perform the same function.
13.Keypad:Use the numeric controls to enter in a specific CD/MP3
track or DVD chapter to be played.
14.C (Cancel):Press to cancel/clear the numeric input (i.e. chapter
number).
15.MEDIA:Press to cycle through the possible media sources: AM,
FM1, FM2, SAT (if equipped), CD, DVD, LINE IN (if equipped),
DVD-AUX.
Channel B can only access DVD and AUX sources.
16.VIDEO:Press to cycle through video states: DVD-DISC, DVD-AUX,
NON-DVD, Off.
17.EJECT:Press to eject a disc from the FES.
18.Fast reverse/Previous:When a DVD is playing, press and hold for a
quick reverse within the DVD. Press and release for the previous
chapter. Press PLAY to resume normal playback speed and volume.
In CD/MP3 mode, press to access the previous track.
19.MENU:Press to access the DVD disc menu for selections. Press
MENU again when in the DVD disc menu to access the system set-up
menu.
20.SUBTITLE(DVD dependent): Press to turn the subtitle feature ON
or OFF.
21.LANGUAGE(DVD dependent): Press to select the desired
language.
22.ENTER:Press to select the highlighted menu option.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Entertainment Systems
54
Memory feature (if equipped)
The accelerator and brake pedal positions are saved when doing a
memory set function and can be recalled along with the vehicle
personality features when a memory position is selected through the
remote entry transmitter, keyless entry keypad or memory switch on the
driver’s door (if equipped with memory feature). Refer toMemory
seats/power mirrors/adjustable pedalsin theSeating and Safety
Restraintschapter.
SPEED CONTROL
With speed control set, you can maintain a set speed without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal.
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that
are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Setting speed control
The controls for using your speed
control are located on the steering
wheel for your convenience.
1. Press the ON control and release
it.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET + control and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
5. The indicator
light on the
instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
•Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
SET
SET
RSM CNCLON
OFF
SET
SET
RSM CNCLON
OFF
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
106
Warnings Status
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
Liftgate 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.
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.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
124
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.
LIFTGATE AJAR.Displayed when the liftgate 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.
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.
POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) (IF EQUIPPED)
You can power open or close the liftgate with the following controls.
•instrument panel control button
•integrated keyhead transmitter button
•outside liftgate control button
•control button in the rear cargo area
Opening and Closing the power liftgate:
WARNING: Make sure all persons are clear of the power liftgate
area before using the power liftgate control.
Keep keys out of reach of children. Do not allow children to play
near an open or moving power liftgate.
The liftgate will only operate with the vehicle in P (Park).
When the liftgate is being power closed, a chime will sound three times
as the liftgate begins to power close. A single chime indicates a problem
with the close request, caused by:
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
125
•the ignition is in Run and the transmission is not in Park
•or the Battery Voltage is below the minimum operating voltage
•or the vehicle speed is at or above 3 mph (5 kph)
A fast continuous chime during power closing indicates there is an
excessive load on the liftgate (snow, bike rack, etc.) or a possible strut
malfunction. If any excessive load is removed and you still have a faster
chime, have the system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Do not attempt to manually force the liftgate to travel faster than the
power system will permit. This will activate the obstacle detection
feature.
Exercise care, when power opening or closing the liftgate in a garage or
other enclosed area with a low ceiling or close to a wall/garage door. The
liftgate could be damaged from the contact. Disable the power feature
and operate the liftgate manually if necessary.
When power operating the liftgate at temperatures below 32° F (0° C),
the liftgate may stop about 5 inches (12.7 cm) from the full open
position. The liftgate can be fully opened by pushing it upward to the
maximum open position.
The Power Liftgate feature can be
enabled or disabled using the
Message Center. With the control in
the OFF position, power operation
is disabled from the liftgate handle
button and from the rear cargo area button. The integrated keyhead
transmitter and instrument panel switch will operate the liftgate
regardless of the position state of the Message Center. Refer to the
Message Centersection in this chapter.
To power open or close the
liftgate from the Instrument
panel:
Press the button, located to the left
of the steering column, once to
power open or close the liftgate.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
126