
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces engine power
at the same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING
The stability and traction control
light illuminates steadily if the
system detects a failure. Make sure
you did not manually disable the traction
control system using the information
display controls or the switch. If the
stability control and traction control light
is still illuminating steadily, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with
the traction control disabled could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
switching traction control off may be
beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Note:
When you switch traction control off,
stability control remains fully active.
Switching the System Off
When you switch the system off or on, a
message appears in the information
display showing system status.
You can switch the system off by either
using the information display controls or
the switch. Using the Information Display
Controls
You can switch this feature off or on in the
information display. See General
Information (page 86).
Using a Switch
(If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on the
instrument panel to switch the system off
or on.
The switch illuminates when traction
control is off.
System Indicator Lights and
Messages The stability and traction control
light:
• Temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up.
• Flashes when a driving condition
activates either of the systems.
• Illuminates if a problem occurs in either
of the systems. The stability and traction control
off light temporarily illuminates
on engine start-up and stays on
when you switch the traction control
system off.
161
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Traction ControlE138639

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Vehicle modifications involving
braking system, aftermarket roof
racks, suspension, steering system,
tire construction and wheel and tire size
may change the handling characteristics
of your vehicle and may adversely affect
the performance of the electronic stability
control system. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with
and adversely affect the electronic stability
control system. Install any aftermarket
stereo loudspeaker as far as possible from
the front center console, the tunnel, and
the front seats in order to minimize the risk
of interfering with the electronic stability
control sensors. Reducing the
effectiveness of the electronic stability
control system could lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, personal injury and death. Remember that even advanced
technology cannot defy the laws of
physics. It’
s always possible to lose
control of a vehicle due to inappropriate
driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause
you to lose control of your vehicle
increasing the risk of personal injury or
property damage. Activation of the
electronic stability control system is an
indication that at least some of the tires
have exceeded their ability to grip the road;
this could reduce the operator ’s ability to
control the vehicle potentially resulting in
a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death. If your electronic
stability control system activates, SLOW
DOWN. The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on. If a driving condition activates either the
stability control or the traction control
system you may experience the following
conditions:
•
The stability and traction control light
flashes.
• Your vehicle slows down.
• Reduced engine power.
• A vibration in the brake pedal.
• The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
• If the driving condition is severe and
your foot is not on the brake, the brake
pedal may move as the system applies
higher brake forces.
The stability control system has several
features built into it to help you maintain
control of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle ’s ability
to prevent skids or lateral slides by
applying brakes to one or more of the
wheels individually and, if necessary,
reducing engine power.
162
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Stability Control

The fixed and active guidelines fade in and
out depending on the steering wheel
position. The active guidelines do not
display when the steering wheel position
is straight.
Always use caution while reversing.
Objects in the red zone are closest to your
vehicle and objects in the green zone are
farther away. Objects are getting closer to
your vehicle as they move from the green
zone to the yellow or red zones. Use the
side view mirrors and rear view mirror to
get better coverage on both sides and rear
of the vehicle.
Manual Zoom
WARNING
When manual zoom is on, the full
area behind your vehicle may not
show. Be aware of your surroundings
when using the manual zoom feature. Note:
Manual zoom is only available when
the transmission is in reverse (R).
Note: When you enable manual zoom, only
the centerline is shown.
Selectable settings for this feature are
Zoom in (+) and Zoom out (-). Press the
symbol in the camera screen to change the
view. The default setting is Zoom OFF.
This allows you to get a closer view of an
object behind your vehicle. The zoomed
image keeps the bumper in the image to
provide a reference. The zoom is only
active while the transmission is in reverse
(R).
Camera System Settings
The rear view camera system settings can
be accessed through the display screen.
See General Information (page 86). Enhanced Park Aids or Park Pilot
Selectable settings for this feature are ON
and OFF.
The system uses red, yellow and green
highlights that appear on top of the video
image when any of the sensing systems
detect an object.
Rear Camera Delay
Selectable settings for this feature are ON
and OFF.
The default setting for the rear camera
delay is OFF.
When shifting the transmission out of
reverse (R) and into any gear other than
park (P), the camera image remains in the
display until:
•
Your vehicle speed reaches
approximately
5 mph (8 km/h).
• You shift your vehicle into park (P).
172
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Parking Aids

The current gap setting and SET also
appears in the instrument cluster.
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Speed
1. Drive to desired speed.
2. Press and release
Set+ or Set-.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
4. The information display will show a green indicator light, current gap
setting and desired set speed. 5. A vehicle graphic illuminates if there is
a vehicle detected in front of you.
Note: When adaptive cruise control is
active, the speedometer may vary slightly
from the set speed displayed in the
information display. Following a Vehicle WARNINGS
When following a vehicle in front of
you, your vehicle will not decelerate
automatically to a stop, nor will your
vehicle always decelerate quickly enough
to avoid a crash without driver intervention.
Always apply the brakes when necessary.
Failing to do so may result in a crash,
serious injury or death. Adaptive cruise control only warns
of vehicles detected by the radar
sensor. In some cases there may be
no warning or a delayed warning. You
should always apply the brakes when
necessary. Failing to do so may result in a
crash, serious injury or death. Note:
The brakes may emit a sound when
modulated by the adaptive cruise control
system.
When a vehicle ahead of you enters the
same lane or a slower vehicle is ahead in
the same lane, the vehicle speed adjusts
to maintain a preset gap distance. The
distance setting is adjustable.
The lead vehicle graphic will illuminate.
To help you pass a vehicle in front of you,
the adaptive cruise control system may
provide a small temporary acceleration
when you switch on your left turn signal
while following a lead car.
Your vehicle maintains a consistent gap
from 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 16 mph
(26 km/h)
• a new gap distance is set.
175
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Cruise ControlE173594 E173595

Each time you start the vehicle, the system
will select the last chosen gap for the
current driver.
Disengaging Adaptive Cruise
Control
Press the brake pedal or press CNCL. The
last set speed will appear in grey.
Overriding Adaptive Cruise Control WARNING
Whenever the driver is overriding the
system by pressing the accelerator
pedal, the system 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 override the system,
the green indicator light
illuminates and the lead vehicle
graphic 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
•
Press and release
Set+ or Set-. When
you select km/h as the display
measurement in the information
display the set speed changes in
approximately 2 km/h increments.
When you select mph as the display
measurement in the information
display the set speed changes in
approximately 1 mph increments.
• Press and hold
Set+ or Set- to
increase or decrease the set speed.
Release the control when you reach
the desired speed.
• Press the accelerator or brake pedal
until you reach the desired speed. Press
and release
Set+ or Set-.
The system may apply the brakes to slow
the vehicle to the new set speed. The set
speed displays continuously in the
information display when the system is
active.
Note: If you accelerate by pressing the
accelerator pedal, the set speed will not
change. When you release the accelerator
pedal, your vehicle returns to the speed that
you previously set.
Resuming the Set Speed
Note: Only use resume if you are aware of
the set speed and intend to return to it.
Press and release
RES. The 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 will sound and the
automatic braking releases if the vehicle
drops below this speed.
177
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Cruise ControlE144529

Switching to Normal Cruise
Control
WARNING
Normal cruise control will not brake
due to slower vehicles. Always be
aware of which mode you have
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
replaces the adaptive cruise
control indicator light if you
select normal cruise control.
The gap setting will not display, the system
will not automatically respond to lead
vehicles and automatic braking will not
activate. The system defaults to adaptive
cruise control when you start the vehicle.
180
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Cruise ControlE71340

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 indicates the first
warning is active and the red position
indicates the second warning is active.
Note:
If you have recently received a
warning; you should consider resting, even
if the current assessment is within 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.
LANE KEEPING SYSTEM
(If
Equipped) WARNINGS
The system does not relieve you of
your responsibility to drive with due
care and attention. WARNINGS
At all times you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising
the system and intervening if
required. The system is designed to aid the
driver. It is not intended to replace
the driver's attention and judgement.
The driver is still responsible to drive with
due care and attention. In cold and severe weather
conditions the system may not
function. Rain, snow, spray can all
limit sensor performance. Large contrasts in lighting can limit
sensor performance.
The system will not operate if the
sensor cannot track the road lane
markings.
The vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer for inspection if
damage occurs in the immediate
area surrounding the sensor. Note:
The system works above
40 mph
(64 km/h).
Note: The system works as long as the
camera can detect one lane marking.
Note: The system may not function if the
camera is blocked or there is damage to the
windshield.
Note: When Aid mode is on and the system
detects no steering activity for a short
period, the system will alert you to put your
hands on the steering wheel. The system
may detect a light grip or touch on the
steering wheel as hands off driving.
182
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE131359

Troubleshooting
Why is the feature not available (line markings are gray) when I can see the lane markings
on the road?
Vehicle speed is outside the operational range of the feature
Sun is shining directly into the camera lens
Quick intentional lane change
Staying too close to the lane marking
Driving at high speeds in curves
The last Alert warning or Aid intervention occurred a short time ago
Ambiguous lane markings (mainly in construction zones)
Rapid transition from light to dark or vice versa
Sudden offset in lane markings
ABS or AdvanceTrac activation
Camera blockage due to dirt, grime, fog, frost or water on the windshield
Driving too close to the vehicle in front of you
Transitioning between no lane markings to lane markings or vice versa
Standing water on the road
Faint lane markings (partial yellow lane markings on concrete roads)
Lane width too narrow or too wide
Camera not calibrated after a windshield replacement
Driving on tight roads or on uneven roads
185
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving Aids