2011 FORD TAURUS warning

WARNING:The collision warning system’s brake support can
only help reduce the speed at which a collision occurs if the
driver applies the vehicle’s brakes. The brake pedal must be pressed
just like for any typical braking situation.
Blocked sensor
If a message regarding a blocked
sensor is displayed, the radar signals
from the sensor, located behind a
fascia cover near the driver side of
the lower grille, have been
obstructed. When the radar signals
are obstructed, a vehicle ahead
cannot be detected and the collision
warning system will not function.
The following table lists possible
causes and actions for this message being displayed.
Cause Action
The surface of the radar in the
grille is dirty or obstructed in
some wayClean the grille surface in front of
the radar or remove the object
causing the obstruction
The surface of the radar in the
grille is clean but the message
remains in the displayWait a short time. It may take
several minutes for the radar to
detect that it is no longer
obstructed
Heavy rain, spray, snow, or fog is
interfering with the radar signalsDo not use the collision warning
system in these conditions because
it may not detect, warn, or
respond to potential collisions
Swirling water, or snow or ice on
the surface of the road may
interfere with the radar signalsDo not use the collision warning
system in these conditions because
it may not detect, warn, or
respond to potential collisions
Activating/deactivating collision warning system
To turn the warning system and/or chime on or off and set the warning
sensitivity <– –>, refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
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Note:If the system cannot be turned off in a MyKey™ equipped vehicle,
refer toMyKey™in theLocks and Securitychapter for more
information.
Note:If collision warnings are perceived as being too frequent or
disturbing then the warning sensitivity can be reduced, though the
manufacturer recommends using the highest sensitivity setting where
possible. Setting lower sensitivity would lead to fewer and later system
warnings. Refer to theMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for instructions on reducing the sensitivity.
BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM (BLIS) WITH CROSS
TRAFFIC ALERT (CTA) (IF EQUIPPED)
The BLIS
is a convenience feature
that aids the driver in assessing
whether a vehicle is within an area
on either side of the vehicle
extending rearward from the outside
mirrors to approximately 10 feet
(3 meters) beyond the bumper. This
area is referred to as the blind zone.
The BLIS
will alert the driver to
the presence of motorized vehicles
in these areas while driving on roads
and freeways.
The system is not designed to
prevent contact with other vehicles
or objects. The system is designed
to provide a warning to assist the
driver in detecting vehicles in the blind zones. The system will not detect
infrastructure, pedestrians, or cyclists.
WARNING:To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the BLIS
as a
replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors and looking
over your shoulder before changing lanes. BLIS
is not a replacement
for careful driving and only an assist.
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The BLIS
and CTA has a yellow
indicator (also referred to as the
alert) located in the left and right
exterior mirrors. When the vehicle is
started, the BLIS
automatically
illuminates both indicators for
several seconds indicating the
system is operating. The first time
you place the transmission in D (Drive) after starting the engine and
drive forward at a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h) the BLIS
system
becomes active. Afterwards, the BLIS
remains active for all speeds
including zero mph. BLIS
is also active if the transmission is placed in N
(Neutral). If the transmission is shifted out of D (Drive) or N (Neutral)
the system will enter the CTA mode (see CTA operation below). Once
shifted back in to D (Drive) the BLIS
mode will activate once driven
above 3 mph (5 km/h).
The BLIS
will trigger the alert for vehicles that enter your blind zone
from the rear or merge in to the blind zone from the side. Vehicles that
you pass, or a vehicle that enters the blind zone from the front, will
trigger the alert only after the vehicle is present in the blind zone for
three seconds.Note:For vehicles that pass through the blind zone
quickly, typically less than two seconds, the BLIS
will not illuminate the
alert.
The BLIS
consists of two radar
sensors each located rearward of
the rear wheels hidden behind the
bumper fascia. Do not place any
type of bumper sticker in this area.
Note:The BLIS
typically will not
detect parked vehicles, humans,
animals, or infrastructure (fences,
guard rails, trees, etc.). The BLIS

does not function when the transmission is in R (Reverse) or P (Park).
The BLIS
does not provide any additional warning when your turn
signal is activated.
BLIS
detection limitations:Due to the nature of radar technology,
there may be certain instances where vehicles entering and exiting the
blind spot zones may not be detected. Below is a list of circumstances
that may cause non-detection:
•Debris build-up on the rear quarter panel fascias
•Certain maneuvering of vehicles entering and exiting the blind zone
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•Vehicles passing through the blind zone at very fast rates
•Severe weather conditions
•When several vehicles forming a convoy pass through the blind zone.
BLIS
False Alerts
Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances
when the BLIS
will alert with no object present in the blind zone. This
is known as a false alert. Some level of false alerts are normal.
Circumstances that may cause a false alert are guardrails, freeway
concrete walls, cyclone fencing, sharp turns around a pole or building, or
coming to a stop with a vehicle directly behind but very close. False
alerts are temporary and self correct.
Cross traffic alert (CTA) system operation
The CTA system warns the driver of approaching vehicles when R
(Reverse) is selected and the vehicle is backing out of a front-in parking
spot. It sounds a series of tones and flashes the BLIS
indicator found on
the exterior mirror on the side of the approaching vehicle. Additionally,
the message center will display either, VEHICLE COMING FROM RIGHT
or VEHICLE COMING FROM LEFT to warn the driver from which
direction vehicles are approaching.
The system is not designed to prevent contact with other vehicles or
objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to assist the driver
in detecting vehicles in the blind zones. The system will not detect
infrastructure, pedestrians, or bicyclists.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, NEVER use the CTA
system as a replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors
and looking over your shoulder before backing out of a parking space.
CTA is not a replacement for careful driving and only an assist.
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CTA detection limitations:Due to the nature of radar technology,
there may be certain instances where vehicles entering and exiting the
blind spot zones may not be detected. Below is a list of circumstances
that may cause non-detection:
•Debris build-up on the rear quarter panel fascias
•The rear quarter panel radar beams are obstructed or partially
obstructed by an adjacently parked vehicle or object.
•Approaching vehicles passing at speeds greater than 15 mph
(24 km/h)
•Severe weather conditions
•Driving in reverse faster than 3 mph (5 km/h)
•Backing out of an angled parking spot
CTA false alerts
Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances
when the BLIS
will alert with no object present when backing up. This
is known as a false alert. Some level of false alerts are normal.
Circumstances that may cause a false alert when backing up are backing
out of a garage, backing in to a parking space, and objects very close to
the sensor. False alerts are temporary and self correct.
CTA and reverse sensing system (RSS) interaction
CTA works along with the reverse sensing system (RSS) (if equipped).
Become familiar with the warning tones of both systems.
BLIS
and/or CTA on/off and disable operation
The BLIS
and/or the CTA can be turned off via the message center. If
either the BLIS
and/or the CTA is turned off, the systems will
automatically turn back on at the next ignition key cycle. When either
the BLIS
and/or the CTA is turned off, the message center displays
BLIND SPOT SYS OFF and/or CTA SYSTEM OFF. When the BLIS

and/or the CTA system is off, the driver will not receive alerts. Refer to
Message centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKey™in theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
The BLIS
and/or the CTA can be disabled permanently even after an
ignition key cycle. This must be done by your authorized dealer.Note:
Once either of the systems are disabled, enabling must also be performed
at the dealership. When disabled, the message center will display BLIND
SPOT DISABLED and/or CTA DISABLED.
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BLIS
and/or CTA fault operation
If the BLIS
and/or CTA senses a fault on either the left or right sensor,
the BLIS
alert indicator will go on and remain on and the message
center will display BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT or CROSS TRAFFIC
SYSTEM FAULT. For faults that may cause the associated left or right
alert indicator not to illuminate, only the message center faults will
occur.
Blocked sensor
An extreme build-up of materials on
the quarter panel fascias such as
mud or snow can cause degraded
performance of the BLIS
. Also,
heavy rain can cause the same
effect. The BLIS
can detect this
degraded performance and issue a
blocked warning to the driver via
the message center. If a condition is determined by the system, the
message center displays BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE or CROSS
TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLE warning and the appropriate left and/or right
exterior mirror alert indicator will illuminate. The message center
warning may be cleared by the driver but the exterior mirror alert
indicator will remain illuminated.
WARNING:Just prior to the system recognizing a blocked
condition and alerting the driver, the number of missed objects
will increase. To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the BLIS
as a
replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors and looking over
your shoulder before changing lanes. BLIS
is not a replacement for
careful driving and only an assist.
Once the blockage is removed, the system will require some driving time
and detection of at least two vehicle objects prior to resetting or the
driver can cycle the ignition key. If, however, blockage is still present
after the key cycle, the system will sense again that it is blocked after
driving in traffic.
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The following table lists possible causes and actions for this message
being displayed:
The surface of the radar is
dirty or obstructed in some
wayClean the fascia area in front of the radar,
either side, or remove obstruction.
The surface of the radar is
not dirty or obstructedDrive normally in traffic for a few minutes
to allow the radar to detect that it is no
longer blocked.Note:The vehicle must
be in D (Drive) and a few vehicles must
pass so that the BLIS
can clear a
blocked state.
Heavy rainfall or heavy
snowfall is interfering with
the radar signalsNo action required by the driver. The
system will automatically reset to an
unblocked state once the rainfall/snowfall
rate decreases or stops. Do not use BLIS

and/or CTA in heavy rainfall or heavy
snowfall.
Due to the nature of radar technology, it is possible to get a blockage
warning and not be blocked. This is rare and known as a false blockage
warning. A false blocked condition will either self clear or clear after a
key cycle.
Trailer tow false alerts
When towing a trailer, the sensors may detect the trailer thus causing a
false alert. It may be desirable to turn the BLIS
off if the false alerts
become annoying.
Day and night brightness
The BLIS
and/or CTA alert will automatically dim when the headlamp
switch is in PARK, ON, or AUTO ON and night time darkness has been
detected by the sun sensor.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a full-time All Wheel Drive (AWD)
system. The AWD system is an active system, meaning it not only
responds to wheel slip between the front and rear axles but also has the
ability to anticipate wheel slip and transfer torque to the rear wheels
before slip occurs. The AWD system is active all the time and requires no
input from the operator.
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All components of the AWD system are sealed for life and require no
maintenance.
Note:When an AWD system fault is present, the warningCHECK AWD
will display in the message center. The AWD system is not functioning
correctly and defaulted to front wheel drive. When this warning is
displayed, have your vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer
If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, a spare tire of a different size
other than the tire provided should never be used. If the spare tire is
installed, the AWD system may disable automatically and enter front
wheel drive only mode to protect driveline components. This condition
may be indicated by anAWD OFFmessage in the message center (see
Message centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more
information). If there is anAWD OFFmessage in the message center
from using the spare tire, this indicator should turn off after reinstalling
the repaired or replaced normal road tire and driving a short distance. It
is recommended to reinstall the repaired or replaced road tire as soon as
possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes between the front and rear axles
could cause the AWD system to stop functioning and default to front
wheel drive or cause damage to the AWD system.
Note:TheAWD OFFmessage may also be displayed in the message
center if the AWD system has overheated and defaulted to front wheel
drive. This condition may occur if the vehicle was operated in extreme
conditions with excessive wheel slip, such as deep sand. To resume
normal AWD function as soon as possible, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and allow it to idle. TheAWD OFFmessage will turn off when
the system cools and normal AWD function returns.
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.
Driving on slippery surfaces with AWD vehicles
AWD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough roads and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the highway.
When driving at slow speeds off-highway under high outside
temperatures, use a low gear when possible. Lower gear operation will
maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.
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