FORD TAURUS 2000 4.G User Guide

stays on, you should check the coolant level inside the reservoir. For
instructions on adding coolant, seeEngine coolantin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toPerimeter alarm system
(if equipped)andSecuriLocky
passive anti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up,
remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake
system is disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake
warning light also remains illuminated with the parking brake released.
Check transaxle
Illumination of this light indicates
that a problem has been detected
and shifting may be restricted. If
this lamp remains on, have your
vehicle serviced immediately.
Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition
is turned to the OFF position.
THEFT
ABS
CRUISE
Instrumentation
11

Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the RUN
position. Also illuminates if the
parking brake is engaged. If the
brake warning lamp does not
illuminate at these times, or remains on after releasing the parking brake,
seek service immediately.
One of the following conditions may exist:
²low brake fluid level in the reservoir.
²Brake force distribution system failure. The ABS light will also
illuminate if this condition is present.
Engine oil pressure
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the
oil level and add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
12

Safety belt warning chime
Sounds to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to theSeating and
safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and the driver's door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and the driver's door is opened.
GAUGES
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
P!
BRAKE
+ –
CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABS0 123
4
5
6
7
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80
100
1202060
140
180
P R N D D 1MPH km/h
000000
0000
EFC H
FUEL DOOR >
THEFTLOW
COOLANT
204060
80
100
1202060
140 100
180
P R N D D 1
MPH km/h
000000
0000
Instrumentation
13

Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine
coolantin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
RPMx1000
0 123
4
5
6
7
C H
Instrumentation
14

Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
Trip odometer
Registers the kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys. To reset,
depress the control.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF position while
the vehicle is being refueled. When
the gauge first indicates empty,
there is a small amount of reserve
fuel in the tank. When refueling the
vehicle from an empty indication,
the amount of fuel that can be added will be less than the advertised
capacity due to the reserve fuel.
204060
80
100
1202060
140 100
180
P R N D D 1
MPH km/h
000000
0000
204060
80
100
1202060
140
180
P R N D D 1
MPH km/h
000000
0 000
EF
Instrumentation
15

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control to the
first position to turn on the parking
lamps. Rotate to the second position
to also turn on the headlamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
²the ignition must be in the ON position and
²the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your 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.
High beams
Push forward to activate.
Pull toward you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
A
Controls and features
16

PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel during headlamp
and parklamp operation.
²Rotate up to brighten.
²Rotate down to dim.
²Rotate to full up position (past
detent) to turn on interior lamps.
The dome lamp will not illuminate if the panel dimmer/dome lamp
control is switched to OFF.
AUTOLAMP CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for a fixed period of time
after the ignition switch is turned to
OFF.
²To turn autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise.
²To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise to OFF.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
The rear defroster control is located
on the instrument panel.
Press the rear defroster control to
clear the rear window of thin ice
and fog.
²A small LED will illuminate when
the rear defroster is activated.
The ignition must be in the ON position to operate the rear window
defroster.
The defroster turns off automatically after 10 minutes or when the
ignition is turned to the OFF position. To manually turn off the defroster
before 10 minutes have passed, push the control again.
A
A
R
Controls and features
17

Activating the rear window defroster will also activate the heated mirrors
(if equipped). For more information refer toHeated Outside Mirrorsin
this section.
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air circulated
in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
R
A/C
MAX
A/COFF
Controls and features
18

Mode selector control
Controls the direction of the airflow
to the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor will
operate in all modes except(Panel)
and(Floor). However, the
air conditioning will only function if
the outside temperature is about
10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under
the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier
than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle
faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This mode
can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
²
(Panel)-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this
mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
²
(Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air through the instrument
panel registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort,
when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full
hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts
will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel
registers.
A/C
Controls and features
19

²(Floor)-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²
(Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air
conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in
between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through
the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the
windshield defrost ducts. If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to
reduce fogging.
²
(Defrost)-Distributes outside air through the windshield
defroster ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.
If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner
will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Operating tips
²In humid weather, selectbefore driving. This will reduce fogging
on your windshield. After a few minutes, select any desired position.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
climate control system in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
²Do not put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²If the air conditioner works well in MAX A/C, but not in A/C, this may
indicate that the cabin air filter (if equipped) needs to be replaced.
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
Controls and features
20