2010 FORD TAURUS center console

WARNING:Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat
back reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion
and affect the decision of the front passenger sensing system, resulting
in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.
The front passenger sensing system may detect small or medium objects
placed on the seat cushion. For most objects that are in the front
passenger seat, the passenger airbag will be disabled. Even though the
passenger airbag is disabled, thepass airbag offlamp may or may not
be illuminated according to the table below.
ObjectsPass Airbag Off
Indicator LightPassenger Airbag
Small (i.e. three-ring
binder, small purse,
bottled water)Unlit Disabled
Medium (i.e. heavy
briefcase, fully packed
luggage)Lit Disabled
Empty seat, or small
to medium object with
safety belt buckledLit Disabled
If you think that the status of the passenger airbag off indicator lamp is
incorrect, check for the following:
•Objects lodged underneath the seat
•Objects between the seat cushion and the center console (if
equipped)
•Objects hanging off the seat back
•Objects stowed in the seatback map pocket (if equipped)
•Objects placed on the occupant’s lap
•Cargo interference with the seat
•Other passengers pushing or pulling on the seat
•Rear passenger feet and knees resting or pushing on the seat
The conditions listed above may cause the weight of a properly seated
occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the passenger sensing system.
The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or lighter due
to the conditions described in the list above.
Seating and Safety Restraints
178
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:To reduce the risk of possible serious injury:
Do not stow objects in seat back map pocket (if equipped) or
hang objects off seat back if a child is in the front passenger seat.
Do not place objects underneath the front passenger seat or between
the seat and the center console (if equipped).
Check the “passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp for
proper airbag Status.
Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the front
passenger seat sensing system.
In case there is a problem with the
front passenger sensing system, the
airbag readiness lamp in the
instrument cluster will stay lit.
If the airbag readiness lamp is lit, do the following:
The driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects that
may be lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering
with the seat.
If objects are lodged and/or cargo is interfering with the seat; please take
the following steps to remove the obstruction:
•Pull the vehicle over.
•Turn the vehicle off.
•Driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects lodged
underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.
•Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
•Restart the vehicle.
•Wait at least two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness lamp is
no longer illuminated
•If the airbag readiness lamp remains illuminated, this may or may/not
be a problem due to the front passenger sensing system.
DO NOT attempt to repair or service the system; take your vehicle
immediately to an authorized dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer
Relationship Center at the phone number shown in theCustomer
Assistancechapter of thisOwner’s Guide.
Seating and Safety Restraints
179
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

vehicle from the on mode. If you would like to start the vehicle and you
are in on mode, you must first switch the vehicle off.
4. Start — press the START/STOP button (for any length of time) while
applying the brake pedal.Note:The indicator light on the start button
will illuminate when the vehicle is in on mode and when the engine is
started.
There may be areas inside your vehicle where the IA key is not detected.
If the message NO KEY DETECTED appears on your message center
when you press the START/STOP button, it may be necessary to move
your IA key to another area within the vehicle. The IA key may not be
detected near the roof (between the driver or passenger sunvisor and
the roof, or in the overhead console area) or in the extreme corners of
the rear package tray, near your audio speakers. It is not recommended
that you stow the IA key in these locations. If you move the IA key to a
location where it has been detected before and you still see the NO KEY
DETECTED message, your IA key’s battery may be low or you may be in
an area with excessive radio frequency interference. If this occurs, you
can use the backup method to start your vehicle (see below).
Backup Method of Starting:Your
IA key uses a radio frequency signal
to communicate with your vehicle
and authorize your vehicle to start
when you press the START/STOP
button and apply the brake pedal. If
excessive radio frequency
interference is present in the area,
or if the battery in your IA key is
low, it may be necessary to start
your car by inserting the IA key in
the backup slot, located in your center console utility compartment.
Insert the IA key into the slot with buttons facing out and with key ring
up. After inserting the IA key into the backup slot, use the START/STOP
button and brake pedal to start your vehicle as usual. The vehicle should
respond normally as long as the IA key is in the backup slot in the
center console utility compartment. Once the vehicle is started, the IA
key can be removed from the backup slot, if desired.
Fast Restart Feature:The Fast Restart feature allows you to re-start
your vehicle within 20 seconds of switching the vehicle off, if a valid IA
key is not present when the vehicle is switched off. When you switch
your vehicle off without a IA key in the passenger compartment or trunk,
the message RESTART NOW OR KEY IS NEEDED will be displayed on
Driving
238
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

ADVANCETRACSTABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTrac
system. In addition, installing any stereo
loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the AdvanceTrac

system. Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker as far as possible
from the front center console, the tunnel, and the front seats in order
to minimize the risk of interfering with the AdvanceTrac
sensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the AdvanceTrac
system could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTrac
system is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this
could reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle potentially
resulting in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. If your AdvanceTrac
system activates, SLOW DOWN.
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTrac
system, thesliding caricon
will illuminate
steadily, and you may hear a chime. If equipped with a message center,
the vehicle will also indicate a failure with the Brake system, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately. Operating your
vehicle with AdvanceTrac
disabled could lead to an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Your vehicle is equipped with the AdvanceTrac
system. The
AdvanceTrac
system provides the following stability enhancement
features for certain driving situations:
•Traction Control (TCS), which functions to help avoid drive-wheel
spin and loss of traction.
•Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides
Driving
244
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Cargo net ...................................108
CD ................................................30
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................287
Child safety seats ......................190
attaching with tether
straps .......................................197
in front seat ............................190
in rear seat ..............................190
LATCH .....................................194
recommendations ...................188
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................199
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............320
instrument panel ....................322
interior .....................................323
plastic parts ............................321
washing ....................................318
waxing .....................................319
wheels ......................................319
wiper blades ............................321
Climate control
(see Air conditioning
or Heating) ......................48, 51, 53
Clock adjust
AM/FM .......................................31
Collision Warning System .........260
Compass, electronic ....................76
calibration .................................77
set zone adjustment .................76
Console
overhead ....................................75
Controls
power seat ...............................145
steering column ........................95
Coolant
checking and adding ..............336refill capacities ................340, 360
specifications ..........................360
Cross Traffic Alert ....................263
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................84
Cupholder(s) .............................156
Customer Assistance ................277
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................369
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................315
Getting roadside assistance ...277
Getting the service you
need .........................................311
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................316
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................315
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................63
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................51
windshield ...........................51, 53
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................355
engine oil .................................331
Doors
central unlocking ....................112
Driving under special
conditions ..........................271, 274
sand .........................................272
snow and ice ...........................275
through water .................273, 276
E
Electronic message center .........19
Index
373
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)