
Lighting 89
Lighting control.......................................89
Autolamps...........................................90
Instrument lighting dimmer...............................90
Headlamp exit delay....................................90
Daytime running lamps..................................91
Automatic high beam control..............................91
Directionindicators ....................................93
Interior lamps.........................................94
Windows and Mirrors 95
Power windows.......................................95
Exteriormirrors.......................................96
Interiormirrors........................................99
Sun visors...........................................99
Sunshade...........................................100
Moonroof...........................................101
Instrument Cluster 102
Gauges.............................................102
Warning lamps and indicators............................103
Audible warnings and indicators..........................108
Information Displays 109
Controls............................................109
Trip computer........................................112
Information messages..................................120
Audio System 128
MyFord™ system.....................................130
Auxiliary input jack....................................137
USBport ...........................................138
Satellite radio information...............................139
Table of Contents3
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Maintenance 280
General information...................................280
Opening and closing the hood............................281
Under hood overview..................................282
Engine oil dipstick....................................286
Engine oil check......................................286
Engine coolant check..................................287
Automatic transmission fluid check........................292
Brake fluid check.....................................297
Power steering fluid check..............................297
Fuel filter...........................................297
Washer fluid check....................................298
Battery.............................................298
Checking the wiper blades...............................300
Air filter(s)..........................................300
Adjusting the headlamps................................302
Changing a bulb......................................304
Bulb specification chart.................................308
Vehicle Care 309
Cleaning products.....................................309
Cleaning the exterior...................................309
Waxing.............................................311
Repairing minor paint damage............................311
Cleaning the engine...................................311
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................312
Cleaning the interior...................................312
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......313
Cleaning leather seats..................................314
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................314
Vehicle storage.......................................315
Table of Contents7
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

If you think that the state of the passenger airbag status indicator lamp is
incorrect, check for the following:
•Objects lodged underneath the seat
•Objects between the seat cushion and the center console (if equipped)
•Objects hanging off the seat back
•Objects stowed in the seatback map pocket (if equipped)
•Objects placed on the occupant’s lap
•Cargo interference with the seat
•Other passengers pushing or pulling on the seat
•Rear passenger feet and knees resting or pushing on the seat
The conditions listed above may cause the weight of a properly seated
occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the front passenger sensing
system. The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or
lighter due to the conditions described in the previous list.
To know if the front passenger sensing system is operating
properly, refer toCrash sensors and Airbag Indicatorlater in
this chapter.
If the airbag readiness light is lit, do the following:
The driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects that may
be lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with
the seat.
If objects are lodged and/or cargo is interfering with the seat; please take
the following steps to remove the obstruction:
•Pull the vehicle over.
•Turn the vehicle off.
•Driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects lodged
underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.
•Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
•Restart the vehicle.
•Wait at least two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness light in
the instrument cluster is no longer illuminated.
•If the airbag readiness light in the instrument cluster remains
illuminated, this may or may/not be a problem due to the front
passenger sensing system.
Supplementary Restraints System49
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the second or third row seats. The Safety Canopy will not interfere with
children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.
The design and development of the Safety Canopy included
recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of side airbags (including the Safety
Canopy).
CRASH SENSORS AND AIRBAG INDICATOR
WARNING:Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of
the vehicle (including frame, bumper, front end body structure
and tow hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system,
increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of the vehicle.
The vehicle has a collection of crash and occupant sensors which provide
information to the Restraints Control Module (RCM) which deploys
(activates) the front safety belt pretensioners, driver airbag, passenger
airbag, seat mounted side airbags, and the Safety Canopy. Based on the
type of accident (frontal impact, side impact or rollover) the restraints
control module will deploy the appropriate safety devices.
The restraints control module also monitors the readiness of the above
safety devices plus the crash and occupant sensors. The readiness of the
safety system is indicated by a warning indicator light in the instrument
cluster or by a backup tone if the warning light is not working. Refer to
Warning lamps and Indicatorsin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Routine maintenance of the airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light will either flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after the
ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental
restraint system serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a collision.
Supplementary Restraints System53
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

AUTOLAMPS
WARNING:In severe weather conditions, it may be necessary to
switch your headlamps on manually.
Note:If the vehicle is equipped with autolamps, it will have the
windshield wiper rainlamp feature.When the windshield wipers are
turned to low- or high-speed wiping 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.
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
The headlamps will remain on for a
period of time after you switch the
ignition off. You can adjust the time
delay using the message center in
the instrument cluster. See
Information displays.
INSTRUMENT LIGHTING DIMMER
•Press repeatedly or press and
hold at the first position until the
desired level is reached.
•Fully press and hold the top of
the control to activate the “dome
on” feature. This will turn on the
interior courtesy lights. Fully
press and hold the bottom of the
control to turn off the interior
courtesy lights.
HEADLAMP EXIT DELAY
You can set the delay time to keep the headlamps on for up to three
minutes after the ignition is turned off.
Follow the steps below to change the delay time (Steps 1 through 6 must
be done within 10 seconds):
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Turn the lighting control to the autolamp position.
90Lighting
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

3. Turn the lighting control to the off position.
4. Turn the vehicle on and then turn the vehicle off.
5. Turn the lighting control to the autolamp position (the headlights
should turn on).
6. Turn the lighting control to the off position when the desired delay
time (up to three minutes) has been reached.
Note:You can also adjust the time delay using the display controls in the
instrument cluster. See theInformation Displayschapter.
DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk
or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL)
system does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the on position and
•the lighting control is in the off, autolamp or parking lamp position.
•the transmission is not in P (Park).
AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
The system will automatically turn on your high beams if it is dark
enough and no other traffic is present. When it detects an approaching
vehicle’s headlights, a preceding vehicle’s tail lamps or street lighting, the
system will turn off the high beams (low beams remain on) before they
distract other drivers.
Note:If it appears that automatic control of the high beams is not
functioning properly, check the windshield in front of the camera for
blockage. A clear view of the road is required for proper system
operation. Any windshield damage in the area of the camera field-of-view
should be repaired.
Lighting91
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Note:If a blockage is detected (e.g. bird dropping, bug splatter, snow, or
ice) and no changes are observed, the system will go into low beam
mode until the blockage is cleared. A message may also appear in the
instrument cluster display noting the front camera is blocked.
Note:Typical road dust, dirt and water spots will not affect the
automatic high beam system’s performance. However, in cold or
inclement weather conditions, the automatic high beam system’s
availability may be decreased. If the driver wants to change the beam
state independently of the system, the driver may turn the high beams
ON or OFF using the multifunction switch stalk. Automatic control will
resume when conditions are correct.
Note:Modification of the vehicle ride height (e.g. using much larger
tires) may degrade feature performance.
A camera sensor is centrally mounted behind the windshield of the
vehicle, and monitors the conditions to decide when to switch the high
beams off and on.
Once the system is active the high beams will switch on if:
•The ambient light level is low enough that high beams are needed.
•There is no traffic in front of the vehicle
•Vehicle speed must be greater than 25 mph (40 kph)..
•Severe weather is not detected.
The high beams will switch off if:
•An approaching vehicle’s headlights or a preceding vehicle’s tail lamps
are detected.
•The vehicle speed falls below 16 mph (25 kph).
•The ambient light level is high enough that high beams are not
needed.
•Severe rain, snow or fog is detected.
•The camera is blocked.
92Lighting
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

GAUGES
Type 1
Cluster shown in standard measure – metric clusters similar.
A. Tachometer
B. Information display. SeeInformation displaysfor more information.
C. Speedometer
D. Fuel gauge
Fuel gauge
Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel tank (when the
ignition is on). The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the vehicle is in
motion or on a grade. The fuel icon and arrow indicates which side of the
vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
A
D
CB
102Instrument Cluster
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)