2012 FORD TAURUS light

ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamp.
Slide-on-rod feature
Rotate the visor towards the side
window and extend it rearward for
additional sunlight coverage.
Note:To stow the visor back into
the headliner, visor must be
retracted before moving it back
toward the windshield.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
The appearance of your vehicle’s overhead console will vary according to
your option package.
Storage compartment
The storage compartment may be
used to store a pair of sunglasses.
Press the release area on the rear
edge of the bin door to open the
storage compartment. The door will
open to the full open position.
Driver Controls
78
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

ELECTRONIC COMPASS (IF EQUIPPED)
The compass heading is displayed in the center integrated display (CID).
The compass reading may be affected when you drive near large
buildings, bridges, power lines and powerful broadcast antenna. Magnetic
or metallic objects placed in, on or near the vehicle may also affect
compass accuracy.
Usually, when something affects the compass readings, the compass will
correct itself after a few days of operating your vehicle in normal
conditions. If the compass still appears to be inaccurate, a manual
calibration may be necessary. Refer toCompass calibration
adjustment.
Most geographic areas (zones) have a magnetic north compass point that
varies slightly from the northerly direction on maps. This variation is four
degrees between adjacent zones and will become noticeable as the
vehicle crosses multiple zones. A correct zone setting will eliminate this
error. Refer toCompass zone adjustment.
Compass zone adjustment
1. Determine which magnetic zone
you are in for your geographic
location by referring to the zone
map.
2. Turn ignition to the on position.
3. Press and hold the 7 and 9 radio
preset buttons together for
approximately five seconds until
ZONE XX appears in the CID.
1 2 3
4
5
6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15
Driver Controls
79
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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).
Note:Do not plug optional electrical accessories into the cigarette
lighter socket (if equipped). Improper use of the lighter can cause
damage not covered by your warranty, and can result in fire or serious
injury.
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,
•do not leave battery chargers, video game adapters, computers and
other devices plugged in overnight or when the vehicle is parked for
extended periods.
Always keep the power point caps closed when not being used.
Driver Controls
82
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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)

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)

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.
Driver Controls
91
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
Driver Controls
93
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

POWER REAR SUNSHADE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
power rear sunshade that covers the
rear window of your vehicle. The
control is located in the center
console access bin next to the
power point.
Press the control to move the shade
up or down.
The power sunshade is equipped
with an automatic, one-touch, auto
down feature. To stop motion at any time during the auto down
operation, press the control a second time. To activate the automatic,
one-touch, auto down feature, press the control and release quickly.
The rear sunshade will automatically retract when the transmission is
shifted into R (reverse).
UNIVERSAL GARAGE DOOR OPENER (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a universal garage door opener which
can be used to replace the common hand-held transmitter.
HomeLinkWireless Control System (if equipped)
The HomeLinkWireless Control
System, located on the driver’s visor,
provides a convenient way to
replace up to three hand-held
transmitters with a single built-in
device. This feature will learn the
radio frequency codes of most
transmitters to operate garage
doors, entry gate operators, security systems, entry door locks, and
home or office lighting.
WARNING:When programming your HomeLinkWireless
Control System to a garage door or gate, be sure that people and
objects are out of the way to prevent potential injury or damage.
Do not use the HomeLinkWireless Control System with any garage
door opener that lacks safety stop and reverse features as required by
U.S. federal safety standards (this includes any garage door opener
Driver Controls
101
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)