2011 FORD TAURUS instrument panel

For maximum cooling performance (MAX A/C):
1. Press MAX A/C. The system will default to single-zone operation and
set the temperature to 60°F (16°C).
2. A/C,
andwill be selected.
3. Fan speed will be increased to the highest speed, but can be adjusted
as desired.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan to the highest speed.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
R
The rear defroster control is located on the climate control panel and
works to clear the rear window of fog and thin ice.
The ignition must be on to operate the rear window defroster.
The rear defroster turns off automatically after 10 minutes or when the
ignition is turned off. To manually turn off the defroster before
10 minutes have passed, press the control again.
Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean the inside
of the rear window or to remove decals from the inside of the
rear window. This may cause damage to the heated grid lines and
will not be covered by your warranty.
Climate Controls
60
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the low beam headlamps
on.
Autolamp control
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the
control to
.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the
control from the autolamp
position.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for a predetermined amount of time after the ignition switch is
turned to off. You can change the amount of time the lamps stay on by
using the programming procedure that follows:
Note:If the vehicle is equipped with autolamps, it will have the
headlamps on with windshield wipers feature.If the windshield
wipers are turned on, the exterior lamps will turn on with the headlamp
control in the autolamp position.
Autolamps - programmable exit delay
Programmable exit delay allows the length of the autolamp exit delay to
be changed.
To program the auto lamp exit time delay:
1. Start with the ignition off and the headlamp control in the autolamp
position.
2. Turn the headlamp control to off.
3. Turn the ignition on and then back to off.
Lights
62
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

4. Turn the headlamp control to the autolamp position. The headlamps
will turn on.
5. Wait the desired amount of time for the exit delay you want (up to
three minutes), then turn the headlamps off.
You can also use the message center to program the autolamp exit time
delay. SeeMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Auto high beams (if equipped)
During nighttime driving, the automatic high beam system automatically
turns on your high beams if it is dark enough and no other traffic is
present. When it detects an approaching vehicle’s headlights or a
preceding vehicle’s tail lamps, the system turns off the high beams (low
beams remain on) before they distract other drivers.
If the vehicle is equipped with automatic high beams, the high beam
switch will operate differently depending on the status of the automatic
high beam system. Each of the possible operating scenarios are detailed
below:
Scenario 1:
Conditions -The automatic high beam system is set to ON in the
message center. The headlamp switch is in
(autolamps). The
automatic high beam system has turned the high beams on.
Operation -The high beam switch will not perform any function.
Scenario 2:
Conditions -The automatic high beam system is set to ON in the
message center. The headlamp switch is in
(autolamps). The
automatic high beam system has not turned the high beams on.
O
F
F
Lights
63
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Operation -The high beam switch can be used to turn the high beams
on. They will then remain on until the switch has been returned to the
neutral position and the auto high beam system has turned the high
beams off.
Scenario 3:
Conditions -The automatic high beam system is set to ON in the
message center. The headlamp switch is in
(off),(park lamps),
or
(on).
Operation -The high beam switch can be used to turn the high beams
on and off.
Scenario 4:
Conditions -The automatic high beam system is set to OFF in the
message center. The headlamp switch is
in
(autolamps),(off),(park lamps), or(on).
Operation -The high beam switch can be used to turn the high beams
on and off.
Enabling/disabling auto high beams
Enabling/disabling and/or checking the status of the automatic high beam
system can be performed using the message center. SeeMessage center
in theInstrument clusterchapter.
Activating high beams
If there is no traffic in front of the vehicle, the high beams will come on
automatically and the
light will display in the instrument panel if
the following are true:
•The headlamp control is in auto lamp
mode.
•The ambient light level is low enough that high beams are needed.
•Vehicle speed must be greater than 32 mph (51 km/h).
•Severe weather is not detected.
Deactivating high beams
The automatic high beams will deactivate if any of the following events
occur:
•An approaching vehicle’s headlights or a preceding vehicle’s tail lamps
are detected.
•The headlamp control is moved out of the autolamps position.
Lights
64
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
lit components in the vehicle during
headlamp and parking lamp
operation.
•Tapthetoporbottomofthe
control to brighten/dim all interior
lit components incrementally, or
•Press and hold at the first position the top or bottom of the control
until the desired lighting level is reached.
•Press and hold the top of the control to the full on position to activate
the “dome on” feature. This will turn on the interior courtesy lights.
The lights will remain on until the bottom of the control is pressed.
Note:If the battery is disconnected, discharged, or a new battery is
installed, the dimmer control requires re-calibration. Press the dimmer
control from the full dim position to the full 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). The center of the lamp is
marked bya3mmcircleontheheadlamp lens.
Lights
67
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

“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.
Function Number of bulbs Trade number
Low series headlamps
(high/low beam)2 HB3
*High series headlamps
(high/low beam) (HID)2 D3S
Front park/turn lamp 2 3457AK (amber)
Sidemarker lamp (front) 2 168
Tail/sidemarker lamp
(rear)2 916
Tail/brake lamp 2 3057K
Backup lamp 2 HPC 16W
License plate lamp 2 C5W
High-mount brake lamp 1 LED
Supplemental park lamp 2 LED
Map lamp 2 W5WL
Dome/reading lamps 2 W5WL
Rear turn lamp 2 WY21W (amber)
All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your authorized dealer.
* To replace these lights - see your authorized dealer.
Replacing interior bulbs
Check the operation of all bulbs frequently.
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all bulbs frequently.
Replacing headlamp (low/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 bulbs and
connectors.
Lights
71
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Some consoles will have panel doors
covering the cupholders and
switches. Press the doors to open
them.
Some cupholders will be equipped
with a divider. Pull up on the divider
and move it in the slots right or left
for the best fit with the cup you are
using.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12V DC)
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only. Do not insert
any other object in the power outlet as this will damage the
outlet and blow the fuse. Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Auxiliary power points can be found in the following locations:
•On the instrument panel under a panel door (press the door to open)
•In the center console utility compartment
•On the rear of the center console accessible from the rear seat
Do not use the power point for operating the cigarette lighter element (if
equipped).
To prevent the fuse from being blown, do not use the power point(s)
over the vehicle capacity of 12V DC/180W. If the power point or cigar
lighter socket is not working, a fuse may have blown. Refer toFuses and
relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter for information on
checking and replacing fuses.
To have full capacity usage of your power point, the engine is required to
be running to avoid unintentional discharge of the battery. To prevent
the battery from being discharged:
•do not use the power point longer than necessary when the engine is
not running,
Driver Controls
82
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Heated outside mirrors(if equipped)
Both mirrors are heated
automatically to remove ice, mist
and fog when the rear window
defrost is activated.
Do not remove ice from the
mirrors with a scraper or
attempt to readjust the mirror
glass if it is frozen in place.
These actions could cause damage to the glass and mirrors.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
Fold-away mirrors
Pull the side mirrors in carefully
when driving through a narrow
space, like an automatic car wash.
POWER ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDALS (IF EQUIPPED)
The accelerator and brake pedal
should only be adjusted when the
vehicle is stopped and the gearshift
lever is in the P (Park) position.
Press and hold the rocker control
(located on the instrument panel) to
adjust accelerator and brake pedal.
•Press the top of the control to
adjust the pedals away from you.
•Press the bottom of the control to adjust the pedals towards you.
WARNING:Never adjust the accelerator and brake pedal with
feet on the pedals while the vehicle is moving.
Driver Controls
87
2011 Taurus(500)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)