2017 FORD TAURUS towing

Overhead Console........................................136
Starting and Stopping theEngine
General Information.....................................137
Ignition Switch................................................137
Keyless Starting.............................................137
Starting a Gasoline Engine.......................138
Engine Block Heater.....................................141
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions.......................................143
Fuel Quality - E85........................................144
Fuel Quality - Gasoline...............................145
Fuel Filler Funnel Location........................145
Running Out of Fuel....................................146
Refueling..........................................................147
Fuel Consumption.......................................149
Emission Control System..........................150
Transmission
Automatic Transmission............................153
All-Wheel Drive
Using All-Wheel Drive.................................157
Brakes
General Information....................................164
Hints on Driving With Anti-LockBrakes...........................................................164
Parking Brake.................................................165
Traction Control
Principle of Operation................................166
Using Traction Control...............................166
Stability Control
Principle of Operation.................................167
Using Stability Control...............................168
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation.................................170
Rear Parking Aid............................................170
Active Park Assist...........................................171
Rear View Camera........................................175
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation.................................178
Using Cruise Control....................................178
Using Adaptive Cruise Control.................179
Driving Aids
Driver Alert......................................................186
Lane Keeping System.................................187
Blind Spot Information System...............191
Cross Traffic Alert.........................................193
Steering............................................................196
Collision Warning System..........................197
Load Carrying
Cargo Nets.....................................................200
Load Limit......................................................200
Towing
Towing a Trailer............................................206
Recommended Towing Weights...........207
Essential Towing Checks..........................208
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels......210
Driving Hints
Breaking-In.......................................................211
Economical Driving.......................................211
Driving Through Water................................212
Floor Mats........................................................212
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance...................................214
Hazard Warning Flashers...........................215
Fuel Shutoff....................................................215
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Table of Contents

Settings
DisplayCompass
Normal or TowingDTE calcula-tion
Easy Entry/Exit
AutolockLocksConvenience
Autounlock
All Doors or Driver FirstRemote Unlock
Remaining Life XXX% - Hold OK to ResetOil LifeReset
Auto or Last SettingsClimate ControlRemoteStartAutomatic or OffSeats and Wheel orFront Seats
5, 10 or 15 minutesDuration
System
Remote OpenWindows
Remote Close
Courtesy WipeWipers
Rain Sensing
1 Year, 2 Years, 3 Years or 4 YearsTire MobilityKit
Hold OK to Create MyKeyCreateMyKeyMyKey
Always On or User Selectable911 Assist
TractionCtrl
80 mph (130 km/h) or OffMax Speed
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Information Displays

Driver Assist
Traction Control
Blindspot
High, Normal or LowSensitivityCollision Warn
Cross Traffic Alert
Adaptive or NormalCruise Control
Driver AlertDriver Alert
Driver Alert Disp.
Front Park Aid
Alert, Aid or BothModeLane Keeping
High, Normal or LowIntensity
Rear Park Aid
Settings
In this mode, you can configure differentdriver setting choices.
Note:Some items are optional and maynot appear.
Settings
Auto Engine Off
Normal or TowingDTE Calcula-tion
Easy Entry/Exit
Auto HighbeamLighting
Off or number of secondsAutolamp Delay
AutolockLocksVehicle
Autounlock
All Doors or Driver's DoorRemote unlock
Remaining Life XXX% - Hold OK to ResetOil LifeReset
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Information Displays

FUEL QUALITY - E85
Choosing the Right Fuel - Flex FuelVehicles
Flex fuel vehicles have one of the followingidentifiers:
•Yellow fuel filler cap.
•Yellow bezel around the fuel filler inlet.
•Yellow fuel filler housing.
•Yellow E85 label on the fuel tank fillerdoor.
Your vehicle is designed to operate onregular unleaded gasoline with a minimumpump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 orregular unleaded gasoline blended with amaximum of 85% ethanol (E85).
Some fuel stations, particularly those inhigh altitude areas, offer fuels posted asregular unleaded gasoline with an octanerating below 87. We do not recommendthese fuels.
For best overall vehicle and engineperformance, premium fuel with an octanerating of 91 or higher is recommended. Theperformance gained by using premium fuelis most noticeable in hot weather as wellas other conditions, for example whentowing a trailer. See Towing (page 206).
Do not use any fuel other than thoserecommended because they could lead toengine damage that will not be covered bythe vehicle Warranty.
Note:Use of any fuel other than thoserecommended can impair the emissioncontrol system and cause a loss of vehicleperformance.
Do not use:
•Diesel fuel.
•Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
•Fuels containing more than 85%ethanol or E100 fuel.
•Fuels containing methanol.
•Fuels containing metallic-basedadditives, including manganese-basedcompounds.
•Fuels containing the octane boosteradditive, methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
•Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel isprohibited by law).
The use of fuels with metallic compoundssuch as methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (commonly knownas MMT), which is a manganese-basedfuel additive, will impair engineperformance and affect the emissioncontrol system.
Do not be concerned if the enginesometimes knocks lightly. However, if theengine knocks heavily while using fuel withthe recommended octane rating, contactan authorized dealer to prevent any enginedamage.
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Fuel and RefuelingE161513

Switching Between E85 andGasoline
We do not recommend repeatedlyalternating between E85 and gasoline. Ifyou switch from using E85 to gasoline, orfrom gasoline to E85, add as much fuel aspossible, at least half a tank. Drive yourvehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi(8 km) to allow it to adapt to the changein ethanol concentration. If you use E85exclusively, we recommend that you fillthe fuel tank with regular unleadedgasoline at each scheduled oil change.
FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel
Your vehicle is designed to operate onregular unleaded gasoline with a minimumpump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those inhigh altitude areas, offer fuels posted asregular unleaded gasoline with an octanerating below 87. We do not recommendthese fuels.
For best overall vehicle and engineperformance, premium fuel with an octanerating of 91 or higher is recommended. Theperformance gained by using premium fuelis most noticeable in hot weather as wellas other conditions, for example whentowing a trailer. See Towing (page 206).
Do not use any fuel other than thoserecommended because they could lead toengine damage that will not be covered bythe vehicle Warranty.
Note:Use of any fuel other than thoserecommended can impair the emissioncontrol system and cause a loss of vehicleperformance.
Do not use:
•Diesel fuel.
•Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
•Fuel containing more than 15% ethanolor E85 fuel.
•Fuels containing methanol.
•Fuels containing metallic-basedadditives, including manganese-basedcompounds.
•Fuels containing the octane boosteradditive, methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
•Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel isprohibited by law).
The use of fuels with metallic compoundssuch as methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (commonly knownas MMT), which is a manganese-basedfuel additive, will impair engineperformance and affect the emissioncontrol system.
Do not be concerned if the enginesometimes knocks lightly. However, if theengine knocks heavily while using fuel withthe recommended octane rating, contactan authorized dealer to prevent any enginedamage.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is under the luggagecompartment floor covering.
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Fuel and RefuelingE161513

The system uses three types of guides tohelp you see what is behind your vehicle:
•Active guidelines (if equipped): Showthe intended path of your vehicle whenreversing.
•Fixed guidelines: Show the actual pathyour vehicle is moving in while reversingin a straight line. This can be helpfulwhen backing into a parking space oraligning your vehicle with anotherobject behind you.
•Centerline: Helps align the center ofyour vehicle with an object (forexample, a trailer).
Note:When towing, the camera only seeswhat you are towing. This might not provideadequate coverage as it usually provides innormal operation and some objects mightnot be seen. In some vehicles, the guidelinesmay disappear when you connect the trailertow connector.
The camera may not operate correctlyunder the following conditions:
•Nighttime or dark areas if one or bothreverse lamps are not operating.
•Mud, water or debris obstructs thecamera's view. Clean the lens with asoft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasivecleaner.
•The rear of your vehicle is hit ordamaged, causing the camera tobecome misaligned.
Active Guidelines (If Equipped)
Note:Active guidelines are only shown withfixed guidelines while your vehicle is inreverse (R).
Active guidelineA
CenterlineB
Fixed guideline: Green zoneC
Fixed guideline: Yellow zoneD
Fixed guideline: Red zoneE
Rear bumperF
To use active guidelines, turn the steeringwheel to point the guidelines toward anintended path. If you change the steeringwheel position while reversing, your vehiclemight deviate from the original intendedpath.
The fixed and active guidelines fade in andout depending on the steering wheelposition. The active guidelines do notdisplay when the steering wheel positionis straight.
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Parking AidsABCD
F
E
E142436

Switching Cruise Control Off
Press and release OFF when the system isin stand by mode or switch the ignition off.
Note:You erase the set speed when youswitch the system off.
USING ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL (If Equipped)
WARNINGS
Always pay close attention tochanging road conditions when usingadaptive cruise control. The systemdoes not replace attentive driving. Failingto pay attention to the road may result ina crash, serious injury or death.
Adaptive cruise control may notdetect stationary or slow movingvehicles below 6 mph (10 km/h).
Do not use adaptive cruise controlon winding roads, in heavy traffic orwhen the road surface is slippery.This could result in loss of vehicle control,serious injury or death.
Do not use adaptive cruise controlwhen towing a trailer that has trailerbrakes. The auto-brake componentof the adaptive cruise control system doesnot operate the trailer brakes. Usingadaptive cruise control when towing atrailer that has trailer brakes may result inthe loss of vehicle control, which couldresult in serious injury.
Adaptive cruise control is not a crashwarning or avoidance system.
Adaptive cruise control does notdetect pedestrians or objects in theroad.
Adaptive cruise control does notdetect oncoming vehicles in thesame lane.
WARNINGS
Do not use the system in poorvisibility, for example fog, heavy rain,spray or snow.
Do not use the adaptive cruisecontrol when entering or leaving ahighway, on roads with intersectionsor roundabouts or non-vehicular traffic orroads that are winding, slippery, unpaved,or steep slopes.
Do not use tire sizes other than thoserecommended because this canaffect the normal operation of thesystem. Failure to do so may result in a lossof vehicle control, which could result inserious injury.
Note:It is your responsibility to stay alert,drive safely and be in control of the vehicleat all times.
The system adjusts your speed to maintaina proper distance between you and thevehicle in front of you in the same lane. Youcan select from one of four gap settings.
The adaptive cruise controls are on thesteering wheel.
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
Press and release ON.
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Cruise ControlE173593

A "blocked" condition can be cleared intwo ways:
•After the blockage in front of thesensors is removed or therainfall/snowfall rate decreases orstops, drive for a few minutes in trafficto allow the sensors to detect passingvehicles.
•By cycling the ignition from ON to OFFand then back ON.
Note:When towing a trailer, the sensorsmay detect the trailer thus causing a falsealert. It may be desirable to turn the BlindSpot Information System off if the falsealerts become annoying.
System Errors
If the system senses a problem with theleft or right sensor, the telltale willilluminate and a message will appear inthe information display. See InformationMessages (page 98).
System Limitations
The system does have its limitations;situations such as severe weatherconditions or debris build-up on the sensormay limit vehicle detection.
The following are other situations that maylimit the system:
•Certain maneuvering of vehiclesentering and exiting the blind zone.
•Vehicles passing through the blind zoneat very fast rates.
•When several vehicles forming aconvoy pass through the blind zone.
Switching the System Off and On
You can temporarily switch the Blind SpotInformation System off in the informationdisplay. See General Information (page89). When the Blind Spot InformationSystem switches off, you will not receivealerts and the information display showsa system off message. The telltale in thecluster also illuminates. When you switchthe Blind Spot Information System on oroff, the alert indicators flash twice.
Note:The system switches back on everytime you start your vehicle.
You can also have the Blind SpotInformation System switched offpermanently at an authorized dealer. Onceswitched off permanently, the system canonly be switched back on at an authorizeddealer.
CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT (If
Equipped)
WARNING
Never use the Cross Traffic Alertsystem as a replacement for usingthe interior and exterior mirrors andlooking over your shoulder before backingout of a parking space. Cross Traffic Alertis not a replacement for careful driving.
Cross Traffic Alert is designed to warn youof vehicles approaching from the sideswhen the transmission is in reverse (R).
Using the System
Cross Traffic Alert turns on when you startthe engine and you shift into reverse (R).Once shifted out of reverse (R), CrossTraffic Alert turns off.
Note:Cross Traffic Alert only functionswhile your transmission is in reverse (R).
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Driving Aids