Pregnant women should always wear theirseatbelt. Position the lap belt portion of acombination lap and shoulder belt lowacross the hips below the belly and wornas tight as comfort allows. Position theshoulder belt to cross the middle of theshoulder and the center of the chest.
Seatbelt Locking Modes
WARNINGS
After a crash, have a qualifiedtechnician check all the seatbelts tomake sure the seatbelts includingthe automatic locking retractor feature forchild restraints operate properly. Werecommend replacing any system that hasdamage or does not operate properly.Failure to do so can result in personal injuryor death in the event of a sudden stop oranother crash.
You must replace the seatbelt if theautomatic locking retractor or anyother seatbelt function is notoperating correctly. Failure to replace theseatbelt and retractor assembly couldincrease the risk of injury in a crash.
All safety restraints in the vehicle arecombination lap and shoulder belts. Thedriver seatbelt has the first type of lockingmode, and the front outboard passengerand rear seat seatbelts have both types oflocking modes described as follows:
Vehicle Sensitive Mode
This is the normal retractor mode, whichallows free shoulder belt lengthadjustment to your movements andlocking in response to vehicle movement.For example, if the driver brakes suddenlyor turns a corner sharply, or the vehiclereceives an impact of about 5 mph(8 km/h) or more, the combinationseatbelts lock to help reduce forwardmovement of the driver and passengers.
In addition, the retractor is designed to lockif the webbing is pulled out too quickly. Ifthis occurs, let the belt retract slightly andpull the webbing out again in a slow andcontrolled manner.
Automatic Locking Mode
In this mode, the shoulder beltautomatically pre-locks. The belt retractsto remove any slack in the shoulder belt.The automatic locking mode is notavailable on the driver seatbelt.
When to Use the Automatic LockingMode
Use this mode any time a child safety seat,except a booster, is installed in passengerfront or rear seating positions. Children 12years old and under should be properlyrestrained in a rear seating positionwhenever possible. See Child Safety(page 18).
How to Use the Automatic LockingMode
1. Buckle the combination lap andshoulder belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pulldownward until you pull the entire beltout.
32
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
SeatbeltsE142591
Deactivating and Activating theBelt-Minder Feature
WARNING
While the system allows you todeactivate it, this system is designedto improve your chances of beingsafely belted and surviving an accident.We recommend you leave the systemactivated for yourself and others who mayuse the vehicle.
Note:The driver and front passengerwarnings switch on and off independently.When you perform this procedure for oneseating position, do not buckle the otherposition as this will terminate the process.
Note:If you are using MyKey, you cannotdisable Belt-Minder. Also, if the Belt-Minderhas been previously disabled, it will bere-enabled during the use of MyKey. SeeMyKey™ (page 51).
Read Steps 1 - 4 thoroughly beforeproceeding with the programmingprocedure.
Before following the procedure, make surethat:
•The parking brake is set.
•The transmission is in park (P).
•The ignition is off.
•The driver and front passenger safetybelts are unbuckled.
1.Switch the ignition on. Do not start thevehicle.
2. Wait until the safety belt warning lightturns off (about one minute). AfterStep 2, wait an additional 5 secondsbefore proceeding with Step 3. Onceyou start Step 3, you must completethe procedure within 20 seconds.
3. For the seating position you areswitching off, buckle then unbuckle thesafety belt three times at a moderatespeed, ending in the unbuckled state.After Step 3, the safety belt warninglight turns on.
4. While the safety belt warning light ison, buckle and then unbuckle thesafety belt. After Step 4, the safety beltwarning light flashes for confirmation.
•This will switch the feature off for thatseating position if it is currently on.
•This will switch the feature on for thatseating position if it is currently off.
CHILD RESTRAINT AND
SEATBELT MAINTENANCE
Inspect the vehicle safety belts and childsafety seat systems periodically to makesure they work properly and are notdamaged. Inspect the vehicle and childseat safety belts to make sure there are nonicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary.All vehicle safety belt assemblies, includingretractors, buckles, front safety belt buckleassemblies, buckle support assemblies(slide bar-if equipped), shoulder beltheight adjusters (if equipped), shoulderbelt guide on seat back (if equipped), rearinflatable safety belts (if equipped), childsafety seat LATCH and tether anchors, andattaching hardware, should be inspectedafter a crash. Read the child restraintmanufacturer's instructions for additionalinspection and maintenance informationspecific to the child restraint.
35
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
Seatbelts
•It may take a short time for the needleto reach full after leaving the gasstation. This is normal and dependsupon the slope of pavement at the gasstation.
•The fuel amount dispensed into thetank is a little less or more than thegauge indicated. This is normal anddepends upon the slope of pavementat the gas station.
•If the gas station nozzle shuts offbefore the tank is full, try a differentgas pump nozzle.
•There is a small reserve left in the tankwhen the fuel gauge reaches empty.
Low Fuel Reminder
A low fuel reminder triggers when thedistance to empty reaches 75 miles (120km), 50 miles (80 km), 25 miles (40 km),10 miles (20 km) and 0 miles (0 km) .
Variations:
Note:The low fuel warning anddistance-to-empty warning can appear atdifferent fuel gauge positions depending onfuel economy conditions. This variation isnormal.
WARNING LAMPS AND
INDICATORS
The following warning lamps andindicators alert you to a vehicle conditionthat may become serious. Some lampsilluminate when you start your vehicle tomake sure they work. If any lamps remainon after starting your vehicle, refer to therespective system warning lamp for furtherinformation.
Note:Some warning indicators appear inthe information display and function thesame as a warning lamp, but do not displaywhen you start your vehicle.
Adaptive Cruise Control (If Equipped)
The speed control systemindicator light changes color toindicate what mode the systemis in. See Using Adaptive Cruise Control(page 179).
On (white light): Illuminates when youswitch on the adaptive cruise controlsystem. Turns off when the speed controlsystem is turned off.
Engaged (green light): Illuminates whenyou engage the adaptive cruise controlsystem. Turns off when you disengage thespeed control system.
Anti-Lock Braking System
If it illuminates when you aredriving, this indicates amalfunction. You continue tohave the normal braking system (withoutABS) unless the brake system warninglamp is also illuminated. Have the systemchecked by an authorized dealer.
Automatic High Beam Control
It will illuminate when thisfeature is on. See AutomaticHigh Beam Control (page 75).
Battery
If it illuminates while driving, itindicates a malfunction. Switchoff all unnecessary electricalequipment and have the system checkedby an authorized dealer immediately.
Blind Spot Monitor (If Equipped)
It illuminates when you switchthis feature off or in conjunctionwith a message. See Blind SpotInformation System (page 191).
85
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
Instrument ClusterE144524 E151262
Brake System
It illuminates when you engagethe parking brake with theignition on.
If it illuminates when you are driving, checkthat the parking brake is not engaged. Ifthe parking brake is not engaged, thisindicates low brake fluid level or a brakesystem malfunction. Have the systemchecked immediately by an authorizeddealer.
WARNING
Driving your vehicle with the warninglamp on is dangerous. A significantdecrease in braking performancemay occur. It will take you longer to stopyour vehicle. Have your vehicle checked byyour authorized dealer immediately. Drivingextended distances with the parking brakeengaged can cause brake failure and therisk of personal injury.
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
It illuminates when you switchthis feature on.
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when you switch onthe left or right directionindicator or the hazard warningflasher. If the indicators stay on or flashfaster, check for a burned out bulb. SeeChanging a Bulb (page 256).
Door Ajar
Displays when the ignition is onand any door is not completelyclosed.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Illuminates when the enginecoolant temperature is high.Stop the vehicle as soon aspossible, switch off the engine and let cool.See Engine Oil Check (page 241).
Engine Oil
If it illuminates with the enginerunning or when you are driving,this indicates a malfunction.Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe todo so and switch the engine off. Check theengine oil level. See Engine Oil Check(page 241).
Note:Do not resume your journey if itilluminates despite the level being correct.Have the system checked by an authorizeddealer immediately.
Fasten Seatbelt
It illuminates and a chimesounds to remind you to fastenyour seatbelt. See SeatbeltReminder (page 34).
Front Airbag
If it fails to illuminate when youstart your vehicle, continues toflash or remains on, it indicatesa malfunction. Have the system checkedby an authorized dealer.
Front Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
Lights when you switch the frontfog lamps on.
86
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
Instrument ClusterE144522 E71340 E71880 E67017
The service engine soon indicator lightilluminates when you first switch on theignition before engine start to check thebulb and to indicate whether the vehicleis ready for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)testing.
Normally, the service engine soon lightstays on until you crank the engine, thenturns itself off if no malfunctions arepresent. However, if after 15 seconds theservice engine soon light blinks eight times,it means that the vehicle is not ready forI/M testing. See Emission ControlSystem (page 150).
Stability Control
It flashes when the system isactive. If it remains illuminatedor does not illuminate when youswitch the ignition on, this indicates amalfunction. During a malfunction thesystem switches off. Have the systemchecked by an authorized dealerimmediately. See Using StabilityControl (page 168).
Stability Control Off
It illuminates when you switchthe system off. It goes out whenyou switch the system back onor when you switch the ignition off. SeeUsing Stability Control (page 168).
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND
INDICATORS
Key in Ignition Warning Chime
Sounds when you leave the key in theignition and the driver’s door is opened.
Keyless Warning Alert
Sounds the horn twice when you exit yourvehicle with the intelligent access key, afterthe last door is closed and your keylessvehicle is in RUN, indicating your vehicle isstill on.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parkinglamps are on, the ignition is off (the key isnot in the ignition) and the driver’s door isopened.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you leave the parking brakeon and drive your vehicle. If the warningchime remains on after you release theparking brake, have the system checkedby your authorized dealer immediately.
88
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
Instrument ClusterE138639 E130458
Ignition Modes
The keyless starting system has threemodes:
Off: Turns the ignition off.
•Without applying the brake pedal,press and release the button oncewhen the ignition is in the on mode, orwhen the engine is running but thevehicle is not moving.
On: All electrical circuits are operationaland the warning lamps and indicatorsilluminate.
•Without applying the brake pedal,press and release the button once.
Note:You may have to press the pushbutton ignition switch twice to switch theignition on.
Start: Starts the engine.
•Press the brake pedal, and then pressthe button for any length of time. Anindicator light on the button illuminateswhen then ignition is on and when theengine starts.
STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE
When you start the engine, the idle speedincreases. This helps to warm up theengine. If the engine idle speed does notslow down automatically, have yourvehicle checked by an authorized dealer.
Note: You can crank the engine for a totalof 60 seconds without the engine startingbefore the starting system temporarilydisables. The 60 seconds does not have tobe all at once. For example, if you crank theengine three times for 20 seconds eachtime, without the engine starting, youreached the 60-second time limit. Amessage appears in the information displayalerting you that you exceeded the crankingtime. You cannot attempt to start theengine for at least 15 minutes. After 15minutes, you are limited to a 15-secondengine cranking time. You need to wait 60minutes before you can crank the engine for60 seconds again.
Before starting your vehicle, check thefollowing:
•Make sure all occupants have fastenedtheir safety belts.
•Make sure the headlamps andelectrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is on.
•Make sure the transmission is in park(P).
•Switch the ignition on. For vehicles witha keyless ignition, see the followinginstructions.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully depress the brake pedal.
2. Turn the key to the start position tostart the engine.
138
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
Starting and Stopping the EngineE191075
Note:When you insert the correct size fuelpump nozzle a spring loaded inhibitor willopen.
2. Insert the fuel pump nozzle up to thefirst notch on the nozzle A. Keep itresting on the cover of the fuel tankfiller pipe opening.
3. Hold the fuel pump nozzle in positionB when refueling. Holding the fuelnozzle in position A can affect the flowof fuel and shut off the fuel nozzlebefore the fuel tank is full.
4. Operate the fuel pump nozzle withinthe area shown.
5.Slightly raise the fuel pump nozzle andthen slowly remove it.
6. Fully close the fuel tank filler door.
Note: Do not attempt to start the engineif you have filled the fuel tank with incorrectfuel. Incorrect fuel use can cause damagenot covered by the vehicle Warranty. Haveyour vehicle checked immediately.
System Warnings (If Equipped)
If the fuel filler inlet does not fully close awarning message appears in theinformation display.
1. Stop your vehicle as soon as safelypossible and shift the transmission intopark (P) or neutral (N).
2.Apply the parking brake and switch theignition off.
3.Fully open the fuel tank filler door untilit engages.
4. Check the fuel filler inlet and the areaaround it for any items or debris thatmay be obstructing its movement.
148
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
Fuel and RefuelingE139202
A E139203
A
B E206912
AB E119081
If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of thePavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of thepavement, slow down, but avoid severebrake application, ease the vehicleback onto the pavement only afterreducing your speed. Do not turn thesteering wheel too sharply whilereturning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron orshoulder of the road and slow downgradually before returning to thepavement. You may lose control if youdo not slow down or if you turn thesteering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike smallobjects, such as highway reflectors,with minor damage to your vehiclerather than attempt a sudden return tothe pavement which could cause thevehicle to slide sideways out of controlor rollover. Remember, your safety andthe safety of others should be yourprimary concern.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
WARNINGS
Always fully apply the parking brakeand make sure you shift into park (P).Switch the ignition off and removethe key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released,but the brake warning lamp remainsilluminated, the brakes may not beworking properly. Have your vehiclechecked as soon as possible.
Do not spin the wheels at over34 mph (55 km/h). The tires may failand injure a passenger or bystander.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature ordamage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more thana few minutes or damage to thetransmission and tires may occur or theengine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow itmay be rocked out by shifting betweenforward and reverse gears, stoppingbetween shifts, in a steady pattern. Presslightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped withAdvanceTrac® with Roll StabilityControl™, it may be beneficial todisengage the AdvanceTrac® with RollStability Control™ system whileattempting to rock the vehicle.
Emergency Maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situationwhere a sudden sharp turn must bemade, remember to avoid"over-driving" your vehicle (that is, turnthe steering wheel only as rapidly andas far as required to avoid theemergency). Excessive steering willresult in less vehicle control, not more.Additionally, smooth variations of theaccelerator and/or brake pedalpressure should be utilized if changesin vehicle speed are called for. Avoidabrupt steering, acceleration or brakingwhich could result in an increased riskof loss of vehicle control, vehiclerollover and/or personal injury. Use allavailable road surface to return thevehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop,avoid skidding the tires and do notattempt any sharp steering wheelmovements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type ofsurface to another (that is, fromconcrete to gravel) there will be achange in the way the vehicle respondsto a maneuver (steering, accelerationor braking). Again, avoid these abruptinputs.
160
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)