2009 FORD TAURUS lights

Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the on position,
•the headlamp control is in the off, autolamps or parking lamp position
and
•the transmission must be out of the P (Park) position.
WARNING:Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp
(DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not
provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate
your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
switches in the vehicle during
headlamp and parking lamp
operation.
Move the control to the full upright
position, past detent, to turn on the
interior lamps. Move the control to
the full downward position, past
detent, to turn off the interior lights.
The instrument panel/switch lighting
remains lit.
2009 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
84

Note:If the battery is disconnected, discharged, or a new battery is
installed, the dimmer switch requires re-calibration. Rotate the dimmer
switch from the full dim position to the full dome/on position to reset.
This will ensure that your displays are visible under all lighting
conditions.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident, the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by your authorized dealer.
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
(2.4 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.
2009 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
85

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.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
•Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
•Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
INTERIOR LAMPS
Dome lamps and map lamps
The map lamps are located on the
overhead console. Press the controls
on either side of each map lamp to
turn on the lamps.
2009 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
86

Your vehicle may also have reading
lamps within the rear dome lamp(s).
Press the switches on either side of
the dome lamp to turn on the
lamps.
BULB REPLACEMENT
Headlamp condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, condensation can occur
when the temperature is cold. When normal condensation occurs, a thin
film of mist can form on the interior of the lens. The thin mist eventually
clears and exits through the vents during normal operation. Clearing
time may take as long as 48 hours under dry weather conditions.
Examples of acceptable condensation are:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets)
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens
Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp water
leak) are:
•Water puddle inside the lamp
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens
Take your vehicle to dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
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.
2009 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
87

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
Fog lamp (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 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 the headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the
hood.
2. Reach in behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulbs and
connectors.
2009 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
88

3. Remove the outboard rubber boot
from the lamp assembly by pulling
rearward.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing headlamp (high beam) bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the
hood.
2. Reach in behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulb sockets
and connectors.
3. Remove the inboard rubber boot
from the lamp assembly by pulling
rearward.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
2009 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
89

Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal/sidemarker 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 bulb sockets
and connectors.
3. Locate the parking/turn signal
lamp electrical connector and
remove it by pulling it straight off.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
5. To remove the bulb, pull it
straight out of the bulb socket.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing rear brake/tail/turn/backup and side marker lamp bulbs
The brake/tail/turn/backup and side marker lamp bulbs are located in the
tail lamp assembly. Follow the same steps to replace either bulb.
•(1)Backup lamp
•(2)Brake/tail/turn lamp
•(3)Side marker lamp
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in the off position and open the
trunk.
2009 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
90

2. Remove the press pin and cargo
net fastener (if equipped) and
carefully pull the carpet away to
expose the backside of the tail lamp
assembly.
3. Remove the nut and washer
assemblies, then pull the lamp
assembly away from the vehicle.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
rotating it counterclockwise, then
pulling it out of the lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight from the
socket.
Install new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing high-mount brake lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the ignition control is
in the off position.
2. Open the trunk and reach under
the decklid.
3. Remove the bulb socket by
rotating it counterclockwise, then
pulling it out of the lamp assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight from the
socket.
Install new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the off position.
2. Remove the two screws from the
license plate lamp assembly.
3. Carefully pull the bulb out from
the contacts.
Install new bulb(s) in reverse order.
2009 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
91