Second row center console features (if equipped)
The second row center console
incorporates the following features:
•Utility compartment
•Cupholders
•Flip forward armrest to provide a
flat load floor
Use only soft cups in the
cupholder. Hard objects can
injure you in a collision.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12VDC)
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only. Do not insert
any other object in the power outlet as this will damage the
outlet and blow the fuse. Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by your warranty.
The auxiliary power points are
located on the instrument panel and
in the center console utility
compartment.
Do not use the power point for
operating the cigarette lighter
element (if equipped).
To prevent the fuse from being
blown, do not use the power
point(s) over the vehicle capacity of
12 VDC/180W. If the power point or cigar lighter socket is not working, a
fuse may have blown. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter for information on checking and replacing fuses.
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not use the power
point longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
Always keep the power point caps closed when not being used.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
100
Note:Your AWD vehicle is not intended for off-road use. The AWD
feature gives your vehicle some limited off-road capabilities in which
driving surfaces are relatively level, obstruction-free and otherwise
similar to normal on-road driving conditions. Operating your vehicle
under other than those conditions could subject the vehicle to excessive
stress which might result in damage which is not covered under your
warranty.
For AWD vehicles, a spare tire of a different size other that the tire
provided should never be used. A dissimilar spare tire size (other than
the spare tire provided) or major dissimilar tire sized between the front
and rear axles could cause the AWD system to stop functioning and
default to front wheel drive.
Do not become overconfident in the ability of AWD vehicles.
Although a AWD vehicle may accelerate better than two-wheel
drive vehicle in low traction situations, it won’t stop any faster than
two-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive at a safe speed.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Utility Vehicles can differ from some
other vehicles in a few noticeable
ways. Your vehicle may be:
•Higher – to allow higher load
carrying capacity.
•Shorter – to give it the capability
to approach inclines. All other
things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering
inputs than a vehicle with a
longer wheelbase.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
210
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your authorized dealer plus any aftermarket
equipment.
Payload– is the combined weight of cargo and passengers that the
vehicle is carrying. The maximum payload for your vehicle can be found
on the Tire Label on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door
(vehicles exported outside the US and Canada may not have a Tire
Label). Look for“THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND
CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXX kg OR XXX lb.”for
maximum payload. The payload listed on the Tire Label is the maximum
payload for the vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If any aftermarket
or authorized-dealer installed equipment has been installed on the
vehicle, the weight of the equipment must be subtracted from the
payload listed on the Tire Label in order to determine the new payload.
The appropriate loading capacity of your vehicle can be limited
either by volume capacity (how much space is available) or by
payload capacity (how much weight the vehicle should carry). Once
you have reached the maximum payload of your vehicle, do not add
more cargo, even if there is space available. Overloading or improperly
loading your vehicle can contribute to loss of vehicle control and
vehicle rollover.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
232
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400–750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lb.). In metric units (635–340 (5 x 68) = 295 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•
Another example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is there enough load capacity
to carry you, 4 of your friends and all the golf bags? You and four friends
average 220 lb. (99 kg) each and the golf bags weigh approximately 30
lb. (13.5 kg) each. The calculation would be: 1400 - (5 x 220) - (5 x 30)
= 1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you have enough load capacity in your
vehicle to transport four friends and your golf bags. In metric units, the
calculation would be: 635 kg - (5 x 99 kg) - (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 - 495 -
67.5 = 72.5 kg.
•A final example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up cement
from the local home improvement store to finish that patio you have been
planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of the vehicle with the
rear seat folded down, you have room for 12-100 lb. (45 kg) bags of
cement. Do you have enough load capacity to transport the cement to
your home? If you and your friend each weigh 220 lb. (99 kg), the
calculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (12 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 =
- 240 lb. No, you do not have enough cargo capacity to carry that much
weight. In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) -
(12 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 540 = -103 kg. You will need to reduce the load
weight by at least 240 lb. (104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lb. (45 kg)
cement bags, then the load calculation would be:
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
236
1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 lb. Now you have
the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home. In
metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (9 x 45 kg)
=635-198-405=32kg.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is capable of towing a trailer up to 2,000 lb. (908 kg) gross
trailer weight with a maximum tongue load of 200 lb. (90 kg). Do not tow a
trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components
carefully after towing.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle.
Use a trailer hitch with at least
three attachment points to each of
the rear rails. Use of a trailer hitch
with only two attachment points to
each rear rail is not recommended.
See your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
237
fluid, refill capacity ................334
fluid, specifications .................334
Power Windows .........................101
R
Radio ................................16, 20, 28
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................44
Relays ........................................266
Remote entry system .......137–138
illuminated entry ............142, 144
locking/unlocking doors .138–139
opening the trunk ...................140
panic alarm .............................139
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................142
replacing the batteries ...........141
Reverse sensing system ...........255
Roadside assistance ..................264
Roof rack ...................................130
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........174
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................166, 170–173
Safety Canopy ...................189, 191
Safety defects, reporting ..294–295
Safety restraints ........166, 170–174
Belt-Minder...........................175
extension assembly ................174
for adults .........................171–173
for children .....................194–195
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................168
safety belt maintenance .........174
warning light and chime ........175Safety seats for children ..........199
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................337
Satellite Radio Information ........41
Seats ..........................................152
child safety seats ....................199
front seats ...............152–153, 156
heated ............................78, 80, 82
memory seat ...................140, 157
second row seats ............158, 161
third row seats ........161, 164–165
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................147
Servicing your vehicle ..............303
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................21
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................29
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........276
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................333, 336
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................334
Speed control ............................106
Starting your vehicle ........241–243
jump starting ..........................281
Steering wheel
controls ....................................109
tilting .........................................97
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................97
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........273
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....227
Tires ...........................211–212, 273
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
345