2012 FORD TAURUS Owners Manual

Resuming a set speed
Press and release RESUME. This will automatically return the vehicle to
the previously set speed.
Increasing speed while using speed control
To set a higher speed:
•Press and hold SET + until you get to the desired speed, then release.
You can also use SET + to operate the tap-up function. Press and
release SET + to increase the vehicle set speed in 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
increments.
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to the desired speed, then press and
release SET +.
Reducing speed while using speed control
To reduce a set speed:
•Press and hold SET – until you get to the desired speed, then release.
You can also use SET – to operate the tap-down function. Press and
release SET – to decrease the vehicle set speed in 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
increments.
•Press the brake pedal until the desired vehicle speed is reached, then
release the pedal and press SET +.
Turning off speed control
To turn off the speed control, press OFF or turn off the ignition.
Note:When you turn off the speed control or the ignition, your speed
control set speed memory is erased.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) (IF EQUIPPED)
Adaptive cruise control is much like speed control, only this system is
designed to automatically adjust your speed to maintain a proper
distance between you and the vehicle in front of you in the same lane.
The driver can select from one of three GAP settings, the controls are
located on the steering wheel.
At startup, the system sets the gap
to the last selected setting. Once
activated, the driver can deactivate
the system at any time by either
pressing the brake pedal or pressing
the steering wheel ON/OFF control. In addition, the driver can
temporarily increase the vehicle speed above the current speed by
manually pressing on the accelerator pedal.
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WARNING:Always pay close attention to changing road
conditions, especially when using Adaptive Cruise Control.
Adaptive Cruise Control cannot replace attentive driving. Failing to
follow any of the warnings below or failing to pay attention to the road
may result in a collision, serious injury or death.
WARNING:Adaptive cruise control is not a collision warning or
avoidance system. Additionally, adaptive cruise control will not
detect:
•Stationary or slow moving vehicles below 6 mph (10 km/h).
•Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.
•Oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
WARNING:Do not use the adaptive cruise control when
entering or leaving a highway, in heavy traffic or on roads that
are winding, slippery or unpaved.
WARNING:Do not use in poor visibility, specifically fog, rain,
spray or snow.
Setting adaptive cruise control
Note:It is the driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive safely and be in
control of the vehicle at all times.
The controls for using your cruise
control are located on the steering
wheel.
1. Press and release the ON control.
The message center will display
CRUISE ON RADAR READY.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
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3. Press and release the SET +
control. The vehicle speed will be
stored in the memory and the
message center will display SET
XXX MPH (your desired speed).
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
5. The green
cruise indicator
light on the instrument cluster will
illuminate if there are no vehicles
detected in front of you, while the yellow
ACC indicator light on the
instrument cluster will illuminate if there is a vehicle detected in front of
you.
Following a vehicle
WARNING:When following a vehicle in front of you, the vehicle
will not decelerate automatically to a stop, nor will the vehicle
always decelerate quickly enough to avoid a collision without driver
intervention. Always apply the brakes when necessary. Failing to do so
may result in a collision, serious injury or death.
When a vehicle ahead of you enters the same lane or a slower vehicle is
ahead in the same lane, the vehicle speed will adjust automatically to
maintain a preset gap distance. The distance setting is adjustable, refer
toSetting the gap distancein this section.
The yellow
ACC indicator light
in the instrument cluster will be
illuminated and the message center
will temporarily display a preset
GAP <--->.
The vehicle will maintain a constant distance between the vehicle ahead
until:
•The vehicle in front of you accelerates to a speed above the set speed.
•The vehicle in front of you moves out of your lane or out of view.
•The vehicle speed falls below 18 mph (30 km/h).
•A new gap distance is set.
The vehicle brakes will be automatically applied to slow the vehicle to
maintain a safe distance between the vehicle in front. The maximum
braking which is applied by the ACC system is limited and can be
overridden by the driver applying the brakes.
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If the ACC system predicts that its
maximum braking level will not be
sufficient, an audible warning will
sound while the ACC continues to
brake. This is accompanied by the
heads-up display; a red warning bar
illuminating on the windshield. The driver should takeimmediateaction.
Note:The brakes may emit a sound when they are being modulated by
the adaptive cruise control system.
WARNING:Adaptive cruise control only warns of vehicles
detected by the radar sensor. In some cases there may be no
warning or the warning may be delayed. The driver should always
apply the brakes when necessary. Failing to do so may result in a
collision, serious injury or death.
Setting the gap distance
The distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle in front of you can
be decreased or increased by
pressing<--->control. GAP <--->
will be displayed in the message
center. Three gap distance settings
are available:
Message
center displayFollowing
distanceFollowing
distance at
60 mph
(100 km/h)Dynamic
behavior
GAP <-> 1 second 29 yards (28 m) Sporty
GAP <---> 1.5 seconds 44 yards (42 m) Normal
GAP <-----> 2.3 seconds 66 yards (64 m) Comfort
Each time the vehicle is restarted, the last chosen gap will be
automatically selected.
Note:It is the driver’s responsibility to select a gap appropriate to the
driving conditions.
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Disengaging adaptive cruise control
Press the brake pedal to disengage the adaptive cruise control. CRUISE
CANCELLED will be displayed in the message center.
Disengaging the adaptive cruise control will not erase your previous set
speed.
Overriding adaptive cruise control
WARNING:Whenever the driver is overriding the ACC by
pressing the accelerator pedal, the ACC will not automatically
apply the brakes to maintain separation from any vehicle ahead.
The set speed and gap distance can be overridden by pressing the
accelerator pedal.
When the driver is overriding ACC, the green
cruise indicator light
is illuminated, and CRUISE OVERRIDE is displayed in the message
center. When the accelerator is released, the ACC function will operate
again and vehicle speed will decrease to the set speed, or a lower speed
if following a slower vehicle.
Changing the set speed
There are three ways to change the
set speed:
•Accelerate or brake to the
desired speed and press and
release the SET + or SET –
control
•Increase or decrease the speed by
holding either the SET + or SET
– control, until the desired set
speed is shown on the message
center. The vehicle speed will gradually change to the selected speed.
•Increase or decrease the speed in increments of 1 mph (2 km/h) by
briefly pressing the SET + or SET – control.
The ACC may apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down to the new set
speed. The set speed will display continuously in the message center
while ACC is active.
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Resuming the set speed
Press and release the RESUME
control. This will automatically
return the vehicle to the previously
set speed. The set speed will display
continuously in the message center
while ACC is active.
Note:RESUME should only be used
if the driver is aware of the set
speed and intends to return to it.
Low speed automatic cancellation
ACC is not functional at vehicle speeds below 18 mph (30 km/h). Once
the vehicle speed drops below 18 mph (30 km/h), an audible alarm will
sound, the head’s up display will flash and the automatic braking will be
released.
Hilly condition usage
It is recommended that the driver select a lower gear position when ACC
is active in situations such as prolonged downhill driving on steep grades
(i.e., driving in mountainous areas). In these situations, additional engine
braking is needed to reduce the load on the vehicle’s regular brake
system to prevent them from overheating. For more information,
referenceAutomatic transmission operationin theDrivingchapter.
Note:If ACC is applying brakes for an extended period of time, an
audible alarm will sound, the head’s up display will flash and ACC will
shut down. This is to allow the brakes to cool down. When the brakes
have cooled down, the ACC will again function normally.
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Turning off cruise control
Press the OFF button to turn off the
cruise control.
Note:When you turn off the cruise
control or the ignition, your cruise
control set speed memory is erased.
Detection issues
The radar sensor has a limited field of vision. In some situations it may
not detect vehicles at all or detect a vehicle later than expected.
Detection issues can occur:
•When driving on a different line than the vehicle in front.
•With vehicles that edge into your lane. These vehicles can only be
detected once they have moved fully into your lane.
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•There may be issues with the detection of vehicles in front when
driving into and coming out of a bend or curve in the road.
In these cases ACC may brake late or unexpectedly. The driver should
stay alert and intervene when necessary.
If the front end of the vehicle is hit or damaged, the radar sensing zone
may be altered causing missed or false vehicle detections. Check with
your authorized dealer to have the ACC radar checked for proper
coverage and operation.
ACC not available
Several conditions exist which can cause ACC to deactivate or prevent
ACC from activating when requested. These conditions include:
•The sensor is blocked, refer toBlocked sensorin this section.
•Brake temperature is high, refer toHilly condition usagein this
section.
•A failure has occurred in the ACC system or related system.
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