Page 77 of 406

Courtesy wipe feature:One extra wipe will occur a few seconds after
washing the front window to clear any excess washer fluid remaining on
the windshield.
Note:Do not operate the washer when the washer reservoir is empty.
This may cause the washer pump to overheat. Check the washer fluid
level frequently. Do not operate the wipers when the windshield is dry.
This may scratch the glass, damage the wiper blades and cause the wiper
motor to burn out. Before operating the wiper on a dry windshield,
always use the windshield washer. In freezing weather, be sure the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers.
Windshield wiper rainlamp feature
When the windshield wipers are turned on during daylight, and the
headlamp control is in the autolamp position, the exterior lamps will turn
on after a brief delay and will remain on until the wipers are turned off.
TILT/TELESCOPE STEERING WHEEL
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down to unlock the
steering column.
2. While the lever is in the down
position, move the steering wheel
up or down and in or out until you
find the desired position.
3. While holding the steering wheel
in place, pull the lever up to its
original position to lock the steering
column.
WARNING:Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
Driver Controls
77
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 81 of 406
CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features.Note:
The appearance and features of the center console may be different than
show based on your vehicle’s option level. These include:
•Cupholders
•Utility compartment with audio
input jack, USB port and power
point
•Pen holder
WARNING:Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects
can injure you in a collision.
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.
Driver Controls
81
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 83 of 406

POWER WINDOWS
WARNING:Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle and
do not let children play with the power windows. They may
seriously injure themselves.
WARNING:When closing the power windows, you should verify
they are free of obstructions and ensure that children and/or
pets are not in the proximity of the window openings.
Press and pull the window switches
to open and close windows.
•Press down (to the first detent)
and hold the switch to open.
•Pull up (to the first detent) and
hold the switch to close.
Rear Window Buffeting:When one or both of the rear windows are
open, the vehicle may demonstrate a wind throb or buffeting noise. This
noise can be alleviated by lowering a front window approximately
2–3 inches (5–8 cm).
One-touch up or down
This feature allows the driver’s window (and passenger’s window, if
equipped with this feature) to open or close fully without holding the
control down.
To operate one touch-down, press the switch completely down to the
second detent and release quickly. The window will open fully.
Momentarily press the switch to any position to stop the window
operation.
To operate one-touch up, pull the switch completely up to the second
detent and release quickly. The window will close fully. Momentarily
press the switch to any position to stop the window operation.
Global open windows (if equipped)
Press and hold
on the remote transmitter to begin opening the two
front windows and (if equipped) vent the moon roof.
•The
control can then be released and the windows will complete
the opening operation and fully vent the moon roof.
A
U
T
O
Driver Controls
83
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 85 of 406

INTERIOR MIRROR
The interior rearview mirror has two pivot points on the support arm
which lets you adjust the mirror up or down and from side to side.
WARNING:Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is in
motion.
Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror (if equipped)
The interior rear view mirror has an auto-dimming function (optional on
the driver’s side exterior mirror). The electronic day/night mirror will
change from the normal (high reflective) state to the non-glare
(darkened) state when bright lights (glare) reach the interior mirror.
When the interior mirror detects bright light from behind the vehicle, the
interior rear view mirror and the driver’s side exterior mirror (if
equipped) will automatically adjust (darken) to minimize glare.
The mirrors will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse) to ensure a bright clear view when
backing up.
Do not block the sensors on the front and back of the interior
rear view mirror since this may impair proper mirror
performance.
Note:A rear center passenger and/or raised rear center headrest (if
equipped) may also block the light from reaching the sensor.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
Note:If equipped with a rearview camera system, a video image will
display in the mirror or the navigation system display (if equipped) when
the vehicle is put in R (Reverse). As you shift into any other gear from R
(Reverse), the image will remain for a few seconds and then turn off.
Refer toRearview camera systemin theDrivingchapter.
Driver Controls
85
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 86 of 406

EXTERIOR MIRRORS
Power side view mirrors
WARNING:Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is in
motion.
To adjust your mirrors:
1. Rotate the control clockwise to
adjust the right mirror and rotate
the control counterclockwise to
adjust the left mirror.
2. Move the control in the direction
you wish to tilt the mirror.
3. Return to the center position to lock mirrors in place.
Automatic dimming feature (if equipped)
The driver’s side view mirror has an auto-dimming function. For more
information, refer toAutomatic dimming interior rear view mirrorin
this chapter.
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.
Driver Controls
86
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 87 of 406

Fold-away mirrors
Fold the side mirrors in carefully
when driving through a narrow
space, like an automatic car wash.
Blind spot mirrors (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with blind spot mirrors or a blind spot
information system. Refer toBlind spot mirrorsorBlind spot
information system (BLIS) with cross traffic alert (CTA)in the
Drivingchapter.
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.
Memory feature (if equipped)
The accelerator and brake pedal positions are saved when doing a
memory set function and can be recalled along with the vehicle
personality features when a memory position is selected through the
remote entry transmitter, keyless entry keypad or memory switch on the
driver’s door (if equipped with memory feature). Refer toFront seatsin
theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter.
Driver Controls
87
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 88 of 406

SPEED CONTROL
With speed control set, you can maintain a set speed without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal.
WARNING:Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on
roads that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Using speed control
The speed controls are located on the steering wheel. The following
buttons work with speed control:
RESUME:Press to resume a set
speed.
SET +:Press to increase the set
speed.
SET –:Press to decrease the set
speed.
OFF/ON:Press to turn speed
control off or on.
Setting speed control
To set speed control:
1. Press and release ON.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET + or SET -.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
5. The indicator
light on the instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
•Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
•If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
•If the vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below
your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage.
Disengaging speed control
Press the brake pedal to disengage the speed control. Disengaging the
speed control will not erase the previous set speed.
Driver Controls
88
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 90 of 406

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.
Driver Controls
90
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)