2015 FORD TAURUS Owners Manual

The vehicle brakes will be automatically applied to slow your vehicle to
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. The maximum braking
which is applied by the system is limited and can be overridden by the
driver applying the brakes.
If the system predicts that its maximum braking level will not be
sufficient, an audible warning will sound while the system continues to
brake. This is accompanied by a heads-up display; a red warning bar
illuminating on the windshield. You should take immediate action.
To help you pass a vehicle in front of you, the adaptive control system
may provide a small temporary acceleration when you switch on your left
turn signal.
Setting the Gap Distance
Note:It is your responsibility to select a gap appropriate to the driving
conditions.
You can decrease or increase the
distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you by
pressing theGAPcontrol up or
down. The selected gap will display
in the information display as shown by the bars in the graphic. Four gap
distance settings are available.
Graphic
display (bars between
vehicles) Following
distance Following
distance at 60 mph
(100 km/h) Dynamic
behavior
1 bar 1 second 31 yards (28 m) Sporty
2 bars 1.4 seconds 43 yards (39 m) Normal
3 bars 1.8 seconds 55 yards (50 m) Normal
4 bars 2.2 seconds 67 yards (61 m) Comfort
Each time you restart your vehicle, the system will select the last chosen
gap for the current driver.
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Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control
Press the brake pedal or pressCNCLto disengage the system.
Disengaging the system 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.
You can override the set speed and gap distance by pressing the
accelerator pedal. When you are overriding the system, the green indicator light
illuminates and the follow vehicle does not show in the
information display. The system will resume operation when
you release the accelerator pedal. The 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 SETupward and
release.
• Increase or decrease the speed by holding SETupward or downward
until the desired set speed is shown on the information display. 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 SETupward or downward.
The system may apply the brakes to slow your vehicle down to the new
set speed. The set speed will display continuously in the information
display while the system is active.
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Resuming the Set Speed
Note:Resume should only be used if you are aware of the set speed and
intend to return to it.
Press and release RES. Your vehicle will return to the previously set
speed. The set speed will display continuously in the information display
while the system is active.
Low Speed Automatic Cancellation
The system is not functional at vehicle speeds below 16 mph (26 km/h).
An audible alarm sounds and the automatic braking released if your
vehicle drops below this speed.
Hilly Condition Usage
Note: An audible alarm sounds and the system shuts down if it is
applying brakes for an extended period of time. This allows the brakes to
cool down. The system will function normally again when the brakes
have cooled down.
You should select a lower gear position when the system is active in
situations such as prolonged downhill driving on steep grades, for
example driving in mountainous areas. Your vehicle needs additional
engine braking in these situations to reduce the load on the vehicle’s
regular brake system to prevent them from overheating.
Switching Off Adaptive Cruise Control
Note: The set speed memory will erase when you switch the system off.
Press and release OFFor turn off the ignition.
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Detection Issues
The radar sensor has a limited field of vision. It may not detect vehicles
at all or detect a vehicle later than expected in some situations. The lead
vehicle graphic will not illuminate if the system does not detect a vehicle
in front of you.Detection issues can occur:
A. When driving on a different line
than the vehicle in front.
B. With vehicles that edge into your
lane. The system can only detect
these vehicles once they move fully
into your lane.
C. 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 the system may brake late or unexpectedly. You should
stay alert and intervene when necessary.
If the front end of your vehicle is hit or damaged, the radar sensing zone
may be altered causing missed or false vehicle detections. See your
authorized dealer to have the radar checked for proper coverage and
operation.
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available
Several conditions exist which can cause the system to deactivate or prevent
the system from activating when requested. These conditions include:
• a blocked sensor
• high brake temperature
• a failure in the system or a related system.
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Blocked Sensor
WARNING:Do not use ACC when towing a trailer with brake
controls. Aftermarket trailer brakes will not function properly
when ACC is activated because the brakes are electronically controlled.
Failing to do so may result in loss of vehicle control, which could result
in serious injury.
WARNING: Do not use tires sizes other than those
recommended because this can affect the normal operation of
ACC. Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control, which
could result in serious injury.
A message regarding a blocked
sensor is displayed if the radar
signals from the sensor have been
obstructed. The sensor is located
behind a fascia cover near the driver
side of the lower grille. A vehicle
ahead cannot be detected and the
system will not function when the
radar signals are obstructed. The following table lists possible causes and
actions for this message being displayed.
Cause Action
The surface of the radar in the
grille is dirty or obstructed in
some way. Clean the grille surface in front of
the radar or remove the object
causing the obstruction.
The surface of the radar in the
grille is clean but the message
remains in the display. Wait a short time. It may take
several minutes for the radar to
detect that it is no longer
obstructed.
Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the radar signals. Do not use the system in these
conditions because it may not
detect any vehicle ahead.
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CauseAction
Swirling water, or snow or ice on
the surface of the road may
interfere with the radar signals. Do not use system in these
conditions because it may not
detect any vehicle ahead.
You are in a desert or remote area
with no other vehicles and no
roadside objects. Wait a short time or switch to
normal cruise control.
Due to the nature of radar technology, it is possible to get a blockage
warning and not be blocked. This can happen, for example, when driving
in sparse rural or desert environments. A false blocked condition will
either self-clear or clear after a key cycle.
Switching to Normal Cruise Control
WARNING: Normal cruise control will not brake due to slower
vehicles. Always be aware of which mode is selected and apply
the brakes when necessary.
You can manually change from adaptive cruise control to normal cruise
control through the information display. The cruise control indicator light will replace the adaptive
cruise control indicator light if normal cruise control is selected.
The gap setting will not be displayed, the system will not
automatically respond to lead vehicles and automatic braking will not be
activated. The system will default to adaptive cruise control when the
engine is started.
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DRIVER ALERT (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:The driver alert system is designed to aid you. It is
not intended to replace your attention and judgment. You are still
responsible to drive with due care and attention.
Note: The system will store the on/off setting in the information display
menu through ignition cycles.
Note: If enabled in the menu, the system will be active above 40 mph
(64 km/h). When below the activation speed the driver alert system
display will inform you that the system is unavailable.
Note: The system works as long as one lane marking can be detected by
the camera.
Note: If the camera is blocked or if the windshield is damaged, the
system may not function.
Note: The system may not be available in poor weather or other low
visibility conditions.
The system automatically monitors your driving behavior using various
inputs including the front camera sensor.
If the system detects that your driving alertness is reduced below a
certain threshold, the system will alert you using a chime and a message
in the cluster display
Switching the System On and Off
You may switch the system on or off through the Information Display.
Refer to the Information Displays chapter. The system on or off setting
is stored and will use your last setting the next time the vehicle is
started.
System Warnings
Note: The system will not issue warnings below approximately 40 mph
(64 km/h).
The warning system is in two stages. At first the system issues a
temporary warning that you need to take a rest. This message will only
appear for a short time. If the system detects further reduction in driving
alertness, another warning may be issued which will remain in the
information display for a longer time. Press OK on the steering wheel
control to clear the warning.
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System Display
When active the system will run automatically in the background and
only issue a warning if required. You can view the status at any time
using the information display. Refer to theInformation Displays
chapter.
The alertness level is shown by six steps in a colored bar.
The current assessment of your
alertness is within a typical range.
The current assessment of your
alertness indicates that you should
rest as soon as safely possible.
The status bar will travel from left to right as the calculated alertness
level decreases. As the rest icon is approached the color turns from
green to yellow to red. The yellow position represents the first warning
is active and the red position represents the second warning is active.
Note: If you have recently received a warning; you should consider
resting, even if the current assessment is with the typical range.
Note: If the camera sensor cannot track the road lane markings or if
your vehicle speed drops below approximately 40 mph (64 km/h), the
alertness level will change to grey for a short time and the information
display will inform you that the system is unavailable.
Resetting the System
You can reset the system by either:
• Switching the ignition off and on.
• Stopping the vehicle and then opening and closing the driver’s door.
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