2008 FORD TAURUS X power steering

Introduction 4
Instrument Cluster 10
Warning lights and chimes 10
Gauges 14
Entertainment Systems 16
How to get going 16
AM/FM stereo with CD 20
AM/FM stereo with in-dash six CD 28
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) 36
USB port 38
Satellite radio information 41
Family entertainment system 44
Navigation system 73
Climate Controls 74
Manual heating and air conditioning 74
Automatic temperature control 76
Rear window defroster 86
Lights 87
Headlamps 87
Turn signal control 91
Bulb replacement 91
Driver Controls 96
Windshield wiper/washer control 96
Steering wheel adjustment 97
Power windows 101
Mirrors 103
Speed control 106
Moon roof 111
Message center 116
Table of Contents
1
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

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
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
9

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
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•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
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Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the same size,
load index, speed rating and type (such as P-metric versus
LT-metric or all-season versus all-terrain) as those originally provided
by Ford. The recommended tire and wheel size may be found on either
the Safety Compliance Certification Label or the Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or edge of the driver’s door. If this information
is not found on these labels then you should consult your Ford dealer.
Use of any tire or wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the
safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. Additionally the use of non-recommended tires and wheels
could cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer
unit failure. If you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an
authorized dealer.
When mounting replacement tires and wheels, you should not
exceed the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall of the
tire to set the beads without additional precautions listed below. If the
beads do not seat at the maximum pressure indicated, re-lubricate and
try again.
When inflating the tire for mounting pressures up to 20 psi greater
than the maximum pressure on the tire sidewall, the following
precautions must be taken to protect the person mounting the tire:
1. Make sure that you have the correct tire and wheel size.
2. Lubricate the tire bead and wheel bead seat area again.
3. Stand at a minimum of 12 feet away from the tire wheel assembly.
4. Use both eye and ear protection.
For a mounting pressure more than 20 psi greater than the maximum
pressure, a Ford Dealer or other tire service professional should do the
mounting.
Always inflate steel carcass tires with a remote air fill with the person
inflating standing at a minimum of 12 ft. away from the tire wheel
assembly.
Important:Remember to replace the wheel valve stems when the road
tires are replaced on your vehicle.
It is recommended that the two front tires or two rear tires generally be
replaced as a pair.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
218

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. LOCK, locks the automatic
transaxle gearshift lever and allows
key removal. This position also shuts
the engine and all electrical
accessories off without locking the
steering wheel. To lock the steering
wheel, remove the key then turn the
steering wheel.
2. ACC, allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to operate
while the engine is not running. This position also unlocks the steering
wheel.
3. RUN, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Starting your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
To avoid potential transmission damage at extremely cold temperatures
(below -20°F [-30°C]), it is recommended that the vehicle be warmed up
to normal operating temperature before driving at highway speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h). Normal operating temperature is normally reached
after 10 minutes of moderate driving or idling.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
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All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTracoperation.
If the AdvaceTrac system is activated for an extended period of time, the
brake portion of the system will shut down to allow the brakes to cool
down. A limited AdvanceTracfunction using only engine power
reduction will still help control the wheels from over-spinning. When the
brakes have cooled down, the system will again function normally.
Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will function
normally during the cool-down period.
Do not alter or modify your vehicle’s suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle’s handling can adversely affect
the AdvanceTracsystem. Also, do not install a stereo
loudspeaker near the front center console or under either front
seat. The speaker vibrations can adversely affect the
AdvanceTracsensors located in this area.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of an AdvanceTracevent
is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded their
ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
TRACTION CONTROL™ (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control™ system. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle. It
is especially useful on slippery road surfaces. The system operates by
detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of the
electronic elements already present in the anti-lock braking system
(ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Control™ portion of the ABS computer. Excess wheel spin is
controlled through either engine or brake torque reduction. This is
realized via the fully electronic engine control system. This process is
very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast acting. The wheels
“search” for optimum traction several times a second and adjustments
are made accordingly.
The Traction Control™ system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice
covered roads.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
250

During Traction Control™ operation the engine will not “rev-up” when
you push further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior.
If you should become stuck in deep
snow or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction
Control™ system off. This may
allow excess wheel spin to “dig” the
vehicle out or enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control™
event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system, never hold the
steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it stops) for more than
a few seconds when the engine is running.
It is also important to maintain a proper power steering fluid level in the
power steering fluid reservoir:
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
SeeChecking and adding power steering fluidin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the maximum
level, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir. SeeChecking and
adding power steering fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
2008 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
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