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
Introduction
11
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)
System check and vehicle feature customization
Press the SETUP button repeatedly
to cycle the message center through
the following features:
RESET FOR SYSTEM CHECK
When this message appears, press RESET and the message center will
begin to cycle through the following systems and provide a status of the
item if needed.
Note:Some systems show a message only if a condition is present.
1. OIL LIFE
2. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
3. DOOR AJAR STATUS
4. TRUNK AJAR/CLOSED
5. BRAKE SYSTEM
6. TIRE PRESSURE
7. BLIND SPOT SYSTEM (if equipped)
8. CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM (if equipped)
9. FUEL LEVEL
10. MYKEY DISTANCE (If MyKey™ is programmed)
11. MYKEY(S) PROGRAMMED
12. ADMIN KEYS PROGRAMMED
OIL LIFE
This displays the remaining oil life.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
(approximately 7,500 miles [12,000 km] or 12 months) perform the
following:
1. Press and release SETUP to display “OIL LIFE XXX% HOLD RESET =
NEW”.
2. Press and hold RESET for two seconds and release to reset the oil life
to 100%.
Note:To change oil life 100% miles value from 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
or 12 months to another value, proceed to Step 3.
Instrument Cluster
21
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)
AWD OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the AWD system has been
automatically disabled to protect itself. This is caused by operating the
vehicle with the compact spare tire installed or if the system is
overheating. The AWD system will resume normal function and clear this
message after driving a short distance with the road tire re-installed or
after the system is allowed to cool.
CHECK AWD (if equipped)— Displayed in conjunction with the
Throttle Control/Transmission/AWD
light when the AWD system is
not operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
OIL LIFE CHANGE SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 10% or less.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches
0%.
BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when a
fault with the blind spot information system has a fault. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when
a fault with the cross traffic alert system has a fault. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE (if equipped)— Displayed when
blind spot information system is not available. SeeBlind Spot
Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alertin theDriving
chapter.
CROSS TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLE (if equipped)— Displayed
when cross traffic alert is not available. SeeBlind Spot Information
System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alertin theDrivingchapter.
SENSOR BLOCKED SEE MANUAL (if equipped)— Displayed when
the blind spot information system/cross traffic alert system sensors are
blocked. SeeBlind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross
Traffic Alertin theDrivingchapter.
VEHICLE COMING FROM LEFT (if equipped)— Displayed when
the blind spot information system with cross traffic alert (CTA) system is
operating and senses a vehicle. SeeBlind Spot Information System
(BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alertin theDrivingchapter.
VEHICLE COMING FROM RIGHT (if equipped)— Displayed when
the blind spot information system with cross traffic alert (CTA) system is
operating and senses a vehicle. SeeBlind Spot Information System
(BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alertin theDrivingchapter.
Instrument Cluster
26
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper blade and arm
away from the glass.
2. Squeeze the locking tabs to
release the blade from the arm and
pull the blade away from the arm to
remove it.
3. Attach the new blade to the arm and snap it into place.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield. Refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
Maintenance and Specifications
331
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)
•Do not overfill the engine
with oil. Oil levels above this
mark may cause engine
damage.If the engine is
overfilled, some oil must be
removed from the engine by an
authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal operating range, add
only certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the
engine oil filler cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the
opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until it stops.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
Maintenance and Specifications
333
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester. The level of
coolant should be maintained at the FULL COLD level or within the
COLD FILL RANGE in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add
coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Proper function of calibrated gauges.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the FULL COLD level or within the
COLD FILL RANGE as listed on the engine coolant reservoir
(depending upon application).
•Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Maintenance and Specifications
337
2010 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide(own2002), 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Fuel tank19.0 gallons
(71.9 L)——
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCONLV should only use MERCONLV fluid. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid
other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.3Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle. To determine your vehicle’s coolant type
(color), check your coolant reservoir.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
Maintenance and Specifications
362
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)