tow FORD TAURUS 2004 4.G User Guide

Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects can injure you
in a collision.
If your vehicle is equipped with the column shift and a bench seat, it has
a center console in the center front seating position.
The center console has similar features as the full console. To open the
storage compartment, raise the armrest and pull the strap on the seat up
and toward the front of the vehicle. The rear seat area is provided with
dual cupholders.
CELL PHONE USE
The use of Mobile Communications Equipment has become increasingly
important in the conduct of business and personal affairs. However,
drivers must not compromise their own or others’safety when using
such equipment. Mobile Communications can enhance personal safety
and security when appropriately used, particularly in emergency
situations. Safety must be paramount when using mobile communications
equipment to avoid negating these benefits.
Mobile Communication Equipment includes, but is not limited to cellular
phones, pagers, portable email devices, in vehicle communications
systems, telematics devices and portable two-way radios.
A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.
The most important thing you can do to prevent a crash is to
avoid distractions and pay attention to the road. Wait until it is safe to
operate Mobile Communications Equipment.
MESSAGE CENTER
With the ignition in the ON position,
the message center, located on your
instrument cluster, displays
important vehicle information
through a constant monitor of
vehicle systems.You may select
display features on the message center for a display of status preceded
by a brief indicator chime. The system will also notify you of potential
vehicle problems with a display of system warnings followed by a long
indicator chime.
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CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Refer toTransmission fluidin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer for transmission service as soon as possible.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
OIL PRESSURE LOW.Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toChecking and
adding brake fluidin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
LIFTGATE AJAR (if equipped).Displayed when the liftgate is not
completely closed.
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The liftgate and liftgate window should be closed before driving your
vehicle. If not, possible damage may occur to the liftgate lift cylinders
and attaching hardware.
CARGO AREA FEATURES
Storage compartment (Wagon)
Your vehicle comes equipped with a storage compartment in the floor of
the cargo area. An additional compartment is in the rear trim panel on
the right. Always put the load you are carrying as far forward as possible.
Cargo net (if equipped) (Wagon)
The cargo net secures lightweight
objects in the cargo area. Attach the
net to the anchors provided. Do not
put more than 22 kg (50 lbs.) in the
net.
This net is not designed to
restrain objects during a
collision.
Cargo cover (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo area shade that covers the
luggage compartment of your vehicle.
To install the shade:
1. Fasten the cover into the
mounting brackets (make sure the
cover is right side up).
2. Pull the end of the shade toward
you and hook the sides into the
notches (right side first) in the rear
trim panels.
To reduce the risk of injuries, the fasteners for cargo area cover
must be properly attached to the mounting clips on the rear trim
panels.
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Do not place any objects on the cargo area cover. They may
obstruct your vision or strike occupants of the vehicle in the
case of a sudden stop or collision.
The cover may cause injury in a sudden stop or accident if it is
not securely installed.
Rewinding the shade
With extended use, the cargo shade may lose its spring tension. If this
occurs, the shade must be manually rewound. This is a two-person
operation.
1. Remove the shade from the vehicle and extend it with the smooth
grain facing you.
2. Wrap the vinyl around the roller
tube twice. Tuck the edges of the
vinyl inside the end cap with each
wrap.
3. Fold the edges of the vinyl
towards the center, making sure
that the edges clear the end cap
slots. Use tape or a rubber band to
hold the vinyl to the left side of the
tube.
4. Push in the right end cap
(marked RH) about
1⁄4of the total
length to disengage the clutch and
hold the end cap in while turning
the roller tube toward you 14 times.
5. Let go of the right end cap. The
clutch will now engage and stop the
shade from losing its spring tension.
6. Unfold the vinyl and place it into
the end cap slots.
7. Insert the shade into the side mounting brackets and check to make
sure that it operates properly.
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If any of the doors or liftgate (wagon) are not properly closed the horn
will make two quick chirps, and the parklamps will not flash. As soon as
all vehicle doors and the liftgate (wagon) are closed, the parklamps will
flash once to confirm that all doors and liftgate (wagon) are closed.
Sounding a panic alarm
Press
to activate the alarm. Both the horn will sound and the
parklamps will flash for a maximum of 30 seconds. Press again or turn
the ignition to ON to deactivate, or wait for the alarm to timeout in 3
minutes.
Note:The panic alarm will only operate when the ignition is in the OFF
or ACC position.
Opening the trunk
Pressonce to open the trunk or liftgate (wagon).
Replacing the battery
The remote entry transmitter uses one coin type three-volt lithium
battery CR2032 or equivalent. The typical operating range for your
remote entry transmitter is approximately 10 meters (33 feet). A
decrease in the operating range could be caused by:
•weather conditions,
•nearby radio towers,
•structures around the vehicle and
•other vehicles parked next to the vehicle.
To replace the battery:
1. Twist a thin coin between the two
halves of the remote entry
transmitter near the key ring. DO
NOT TAKE THE RUBBER COVER
AND CIRCUIT BOARD OFF THE
FRONT HOUSING OF THE
REMOTE ENTRY TRANSMITTER.
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Automatic arming
The vehicle is armed immediately
after switching the ignition to the 3
(OFF) position.
The
THEFTindicator will flash
every two seconds when the vehicle
is armed.
Automatic disarming
Switching the ignition to the 4 (ON) position with acoded keydisarms
the vehicle.
•The
THEFTindicator will illuminate for three seconds and then go
out.
•If the
THEFTindicator stays on for an extended period of time or
flashes rapidly, have the system serviced by your dealer.
Replacement keys
If your keys are lost or stolen and you don’t have an extra coded key,
you will need to have your vehicle towed to a dealership. The key codes
need to be erased from your vehicle and new coded keys will need to be
programmed.
Replacing coded keys can be very costly. Store an extra programmed key
away from the vehicle in a safe place to help prevent any
inconveniences. Please visit an authorized dealer to purchase additional
spare or replacement keys.
Programming spare keys
You can program your own coded keys to your vehicle. Please read and
understand the entire procedure before you begin.
Tips:
•A maximum of eight keys can be coded to your vehicle.
•Only use Securilock
keys.
•You must have two previously programmed coded keys (keys that
already operate your vehicle’s engine) and the new unprogrammed
key(s) readily accessible.
•If no previously programmed coded keys are available, you must take
your vehicle to your dealer to have the spare key(s) programmed.
3
4
1 2
5
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Arming the system
When armed, this system will respond if unauthorized entry is
attempted. When unauthorized entry occurs, the system will flash the
headlamps and/or parking lamps and will sound the horn.
The system is ready to arm whenever key is removed from the ignition.
Either of the following actions will prearm the alarm system:
•Press the
control on the remote entry transmitter.
•Press the 7•8 and the 9•0 on the keyless entry keypad (if
equipped) at the same time.
•
Open a door and press the power door lock control to lock all the doors.
Note:The hood, each door and the liftgate (wagon) arm individually,
and if any of them are open, they must be closed in order to be armed.
When you press the
control on the remote entry transmitter twice
within three seconds:
•the horn will chirp twice to indicate the hood, each door and the
liftgate (wagon) are closed.
•the horn will chirp twice to indicate that either the hood, a door or
the liftgate (wagon) is still open.
Disarming the system
You can disarm the system by any of the following actions:
•Unlock the doors by pressing the
control on your remote entry
transmitter.
•Unlock the doors by using the keyless entry pad.
•Unlock the doors with a key. Turn the key full travel (toward the front
of the vehicle) to ensure the alarm disarms.
•Turn the ignition to the RUN position.
•Press the
control on the remote entry transmitter. This will only
shut the horn off when the alarm is sounding; the alarm system will
still be armed.
Triggering the anti-theft system
The armed system will be triggered if:
•Any door, liftgate (wagon) or the hood is opened without using the
key or the remote entry transmitter.
•The trunk key cylinder is forced.
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Make sure that the safety belt for the rear center passenger is properly
routed over the rear seatback.
3rd seat (wagon only)
The third seat faces the rear of the vehicle. For height and weight limits,
see the label on the seat cushion. When the seat is down, the back of
your wagon has a flat surface for carrying cargo.
To open up the seat:
1. Unlock the floor panel with the
key, then use the handle to fold the
floor panel toward the front of the
car.
2. Remove the cargo cover. The
cargo cover must be removed or the
seatback will not latch in the
upright position.
3. Lift the remote latch release on
the left side of the compartment
and fold the remaining floor panel
until it latches. Make sure the
seatback is locked in the upright
position.
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To close the seat, make sure the safety belts are properly stowed, then
lift the remote latch release and push the seat down until it latches. Pull
up on the handle and push the floor panel into place.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Personal Safety System
The Personal Safety System provides an improved overall level of frontal
crash protection to front seat occupants and is designed to help further
reduce the risk of air bag-related injuries. The system is able to analyze
different occupant classifications and conditions and crash severity
before activating the appropriate safety devices to help better protect a
range of occupants in a variety of frontal crash situations.
Your vehicle’s Personal Safety System consists of:
•Driver and passenger dual-stage air bag supplemental restraints.
•Front safety belts with pretensioners, energy management retractors,
and safety belt usage sensors.
•Driver’s seat position sensor.
•Front crash severity sensor.
•Front passenger sensing system
•Passenger Air Bag Off indicator light.
•Restraints Control Module (RCM) with impact and safing sensors.
•Restraint system warning light and back-up tone.
•The electrical wiring for the air bags, crash sensor(s), safety belt
pretensioners, front safety belt usage sensors, driver seat position
sensor, and indicator lights.
How does the personal safety system work?
The Personal Safety System can adapt the deployment strategy of your
vehicle’s safety devices according to crash severity and occupant
classification and conditions. A collection of crash and occupant sensors
provides information to the Restraints Control Module (RCM). During a
crash, the RCM activates the safety belt pretensioners and/or either
none, one, or both stages of the dual-stage air bag supplemental
restraints based on crash severity and occupant classification and
conditions.
The fact that the pretensioners or air bags did not activate for both front
seat occupants in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with
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shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If the belt is twisted,
remove the twist. Insert the tongue into the proper buckle for your
seating position until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the
tongue is securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on the tongue.
The lap belt should fit snugly and as low as possible around the
hips, not across the waist.
Front and rear seat occupants, including pregnant women,
should wear safety belts for optimum protection in an accident.
Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt
assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that
are designed to be used as a pair. 1) Use the shoulder belt on the
outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. 2)
Never swing the safety belt around your neck over the inside shoulder.
3) Never use a single belt for more than one person.
Due to folding rear seats, sometimes the buckles and tongues toward the
center of the vehicle may be hidden by the rear edge of the seat cushion.
Pull them out so they will be accessible.
While you are fastened in the seat belt, the shoulder belt adjusts to your
movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard or your vehicle
receives an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the safety belt will
become locked and help reduce your forward movement.
To unfasten the belt, push the red release button on the end of the
buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle. While the belt
retracts, guide the tongue to its original position to prevent it from
striking you or the vehicle.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The safety belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
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