windshield wipers FORD TAURUS 2012 6.G Owners Manual

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the low beam headlamps
on.
Autolamp control
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the
control to
.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the
control from the autolamp
position.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for a predetermined amount of time after the ignition switch is
turned to off. You can change the amount of time the lamps stay on by
using the programming procedure that follows:
Note:If the vehicle is equipped with autolamps, it will have the
headlamps on with windshield wipers feature.If the windshield
wipers are turned on, the exterior lamps will turn on with the headlamp
control in the autolamp position.
Autolamps - programmable exit delay
Programmable exit delay allows the length of the autolamp exit delay to
be changed.
To program the auto lamp exit time delay:
1. Start with the ignition off and the headlamp control in the autolamp
position.
2. Turn the headlamp control to off.
3. Turn the ignition on and then back to off.
Lights
62
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:Rotate the end
of the control away from you to
increase the speed of the wipers;
rotate toward you to decrease the
speed of the wipers.
Rain-sensing wipers (if
equipped):The rain-sensing wipers
will automatically activate when
moisture is present on the
windshield and the multi-function
switch is set to one of five
auto/interval moisture sensitivity settings. Rotate the end of the control
toward the windshield to increase the sensitivity. The speed of the
rain-sensitive wipers will vary based on the amount of moisture detected
on the windshield and the auto/interval setting. There are no interval
(intermittent wipe) settings on vehicles with rain-sensing wipers. The
wipers will continue to wipe as long as the presence of moisture is
detected on the windshield. More or less wiping may occur depending on
humidity, mist or light rain, or road spray.
Keep the outside of the windshield clean, especially the area around the
rear view mirror where the sensor is located or rain sensor performance
may be affected.
Note:During winter driving conditions with ice, snow or a salty road
mist, inconsistent or unexpected wiping or smearing may occur. In these
conditions, you can lower the sensitivity to reduce the amount of
smearing or override the feature by selecting low- or high-speed wiping
or turning the wiper system off.
Note:The wipers must be turned off before entering a car wash.
Windshield washer:Press the end
of the stalk:
•briefly: causes a single swipe of
the wipers without washer fluid.
•a quick press and hold: the
wipers will swipe three times with
washer fluid.
•a long press and hold: the wipers
and washer fluid will be activated
for up to ten seconds.
Driver Controls
76
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Courtesy wipe feature:One extra wipe will occur a few seconds after
washing the front window to clear any excess washer fluid remaining on
the windshield.
Note:Do not operate the washer when the washer reservoir is empty.
This may cause the washer pump to overheat. Check the washer fluid
level frequently. Do not operate the wipers when the windshield is dry.
This may scratch the glass, damage the wiper blades and cause the wiper
motor to burn out. Before operating the wiper on a dry windshield,
always use the windshield washer. In freezing weather, be sure the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers.
Windshield wiper rainlamp feature
When the windshield wipers are turned on during daylight, and the
headlamp control is in the autolamp position, the exterior lamps will turn
on after a brief delay and will remain on until the wipers are turned off.
TILT/TELESCOPE STEERING WHEEL
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down to unlock the
steering column.
2. While the lever is in the down
position, move the steering wheel
up or down and in or out until you
find the desired position.
3. While holding the steering wheel
in place, pull the lever up to its
original position to lock the steering
column.
WARNING:Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
Driver Controls
77
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

PLASTIC (NON-PAINTED) EXTERIOR PARTS
Use only approved products to clean plastic parts. These products are
available from your authorized dealer.
•For routine cleaning, use MotorcraftDetail Wash (ZC-3-A).
•If tar or grease spots are present, use MotorcraftBug and Tar
Remover (ZC-42).
WINDOWS AND WIPER BLADES
The windshield, rear and side windows and the wiper blades should be
cleaned regularly. If the wipers do not wipe properly, substances on the
vehicle’s glass or the wiper blades may be the cause. These may include
hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes, water repellent
coatings, tree sap, or other organic contamination; these contaminants
may cause squeaking or chatter noise from the blades, and streaking and
smearing of the windshield. To clean these items, follow these tips:
•The windshield, rear windows and side windows may be cleaned with
a non-abrasive cleaner such as MotorcraftUltra-Clear Spray Glass
Cleaner (ZC-23), available from your authorized dealer.
•The wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or
MotorcraftPremium Windshield Washer Concentrate (ZC-32-A) in
the U.S., or Premium Quality Windshield Washer Fluid [CXC-37-(A, B,
D, or F)] in Canada, available from your authorized dealer. This
washer fluid contains special solution in addition to alcohol which
helps to remove the hot wax deposited on the wiper blade and
windshield from automated car wash facilities. Be sure to replace
wiper blades when they appear worn or do not function properly.
•Do not use abrasives, as they may cause scratches.
•Do not use fuel, kerosene, or paint thinner to clean any parts.
If you cannot remove those streaks after cleaning with the glass cleaner
or if the wipers chatter and move in a jerky motion, clean the outer
surface of the windshield and the wiper blades using a sponge or soft
cloth with a neutral detergent or mild-abrasive cleaning solution. After
cleaning, rinse the windshield and wiper blades with clean water. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse the windshield
with water.
Do not use sharp objects, such as a razor blade, to clean the
inside of the rear window or to remove decals, as it may cause
damage to the rear window defroster’s heated grid lines.
Cleaning
324
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper blade and arm
away from the glass.
2. Squeeze the locking tabs to
release the blade from the arm and
pull the blade away from the arm to
remove it.
3. Attach the new blade to the arm and snap it into place.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield. Refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
Maintenance and Specifications
333
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and pins under vehicle are
covered with grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 m) every 15 days to lubricate
working parts and prevent corrosion.
Removing vehicle from storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out of storage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt or grease film build-up on
window surfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for any deterioration.
•Check under the hood for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage (mice/squirrel nests).
•Check the exhaust for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage.
•Check tire pressures and set tire inflation per the Tire Label.
•Check brake pedal operation. Drive the vehicle 15 ft (4.5 meters) back
and forth to remove rust build-up.
•Check fluid levels (including coolant, oil and gas) to make sure there
are no leaks, and fluids are at recommended levels.
•If the battery was removed, clean the battery cable ends and inspect.
If you have any concerns or issues, contact your authorized dealer.
Maintenance and Specifications
366
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................374
Vehicle loading ..........................223
Ventilating your vehicle ...........241
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................332Water, Driving through .............279
Windows
opening using remote entry
system .....................................123
power .........................................83
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................76
checking and adding fluid .....332
replacing wiper blades ...........333
Wrecker towing .........................310
Index
406
2012 Taurus
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)