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These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
Introduction
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2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 52 of 406

4.A/C:Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use with
recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency. A/C
engages automatically in MAX A/C,
(defrost)
and
(floor/defrost).
5.
Recirculated air:Press to activate/deactivate air recirculation in
the vehicle. Recirculated air may reduce the amount of time needed to
cool down the interior of the vehicle and may also help reduce undesired
odors from reaching the interior of the vehicle. Recirculated air engages
automatically when MAX A/C is selected or can be engaged manually in
any airflow mode except
(defrost). When the ignition switch is
turned off and back on, the climate system will return to the recirculated
air mode only if the A/C button LED is illuminated and the air
distribution selection is either
(panel) or(panel/floor).
6.MAX A/C:Distributes recirculated air through the instrument panel
vents to cool the vehicle. This re-cooling of the interior air is more
economical and efficient. Recirculated air may also help reduce
undesirable odors from entering the vehicle. Press the MAX A/C button
again for normal A/C operation.
7.Temperature control:Controls the temperature of the airflow in the
vehicle.
8.
Fan speed adjustment:Turn to select the desired fan speed.
9.
Power:Press to activate/deactivate the climate control system.
When the system is off, outside air is prevented from entering the
vehicle.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build-up on the windshield during humid weather,
select
(defrost).
•To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
system off or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2-3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
•A small amount of air may be felt from the floor vent regardless of the
air distribution setting that is selected.
Climate Controls
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2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
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VOICE COMMANDS IN CLIMATE MODE
Please refer to theVoice commands in climate modesection of the
Navigation supplementfor more information on using voice commands
with the climate control system.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build-up on the windshield during humid weather,
select
(defrost).
•To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle: do not drive with the
system off or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after starting the vehicle or until the vehicle has
“aired out.”
•A small amount of air may be felt from the floor vent regardless of the
air distribution setting that is selected.
During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
MAX A/C, reduce blower fan speed from the highest setting and put the
vehicle’s transmission in P (Park) to continue to receive cool air from
your A/C system.
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 determined by the vehicle’s internal temperature,
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.
Climate Controls
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2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
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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.
•The vehicle speed falls below 27 mph (43 km/h).
•The ambient light level is high enough that high beams are not
needed.
•Severe rain, snow or fog is detected.
Lights
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2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)