warning lights FORD TAURUS 2013 6.G User Guide

Safety Chains
Always connect the safety chains to the vehicle’s hook retainers. To
connect the safety chains, cross them under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the rental agency’s instructions.
Note:Never attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly
increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer Lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Ensure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact
your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions
and equipment for hooking up the lamps.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing-up to get the feel of the
vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers) and do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•Place the gearshift lever in P (Park) to aid in engine/transmission
cooling and A/C efficiency during hot weather while stopped in traffic.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may turn off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
Towing249
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Low tire
pressure
warning lightPossible cause Customer action required
Flashing
warning lightSpare tire in use Repair the damaged road wheel/tire
and reinstall it on the vehicle to
restore system functionality. For a
description on how the system
functions, refer toWhen your
temporary spare tire is installed
in this section.
TPMS
malfunctionIf the tires are properly inflated
and the spare tire is not in use but
the light remains on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
When inflating your tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at a gas station or in your
garage), the tire pressure monitoring system may not respond
immediately to the air added to your tires.
It may take up to two minutes of driving over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the
light to turn off after you have filled your tires to the recommended
inflation pressure.
How temperature affects your tire pressure
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors tire pressure in
each pneumatic tire. While driving in a normal manner, a typical
passenger tire inflation pressure may increase approximately 2 to 4 psi
(14 to 28 kPa) from a cold start situation. If the vehicle is stationary
overnight with the outside temperature significantly lower than the
daytime temperature, the tire pressure may decrease approximately 3 psi
(21 kPa) for a drop of 30°F (17°C) in ambient temperature. This lower
pressure value may be detected by the TPMS as being significantly lower
than the recommended inflation pressure and activate the TPMS warning
light for low tire pressure. If the low tire pressure warning light is on,
visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. (If one or more tires
are flat, repair as necessary.) Check air pressure in the road tires. If any
tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the nearest location
where air can be added to the tires. Inflate all the tires to the
recommended inflation pressure.
338Wheels and Tires
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

General Information
WARNING:Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Note:Do not use the temporary mobility kit if a tire has become
severely damaged by driving the vehicle with a tire that has insufficient
air pressure. Only punctured areas located within the tire tread can be
sealed with the temporary mobility kit.
Do not attempt to repair punctures larger than
14inch (6.4 mm) or
damage to the tire’s sidewall. The tire may not completely seal.
Loss of air pressure may adversely affect tire performance. For this
reason:
•Note:Do not drive the vehicle above 50 mph (80 km/h).
•Note:Do not drive further than 120 miles (200 km). Drive only to the
closest Ford Motor Company authorized dealer or tire repair shop to
have your tire inspected.
•Drive carefully and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
•Periodically monitor tire inflation pressure in the affected tire; if the
tire is losing pressure, have the vehicle towed.
•Read the information in theTips for use of the temporary mobility
kitsection to ensure safe operation of the temporary mobility kit and
your vehicle.
Tips for Use of the Temporary Mobility Kit
Read the following list of tips to ensure safe operation of the temporary
mobility kit:
•Before operating the temporary mobility kit, make sure your vehicle is
safely off the road and away from moving traffic. Turn on the hazard
lights.
•Always set the parking brake to ensure the vehicle doesn’t move
unexpectedly.
•Do not remove any foreign objects, such as nails or screws, from the
tire.
•When using the temporary mobility kit, leave the engine running (only
if the vehicle is outdoors or in a well-ventilated area) so the
compressor doesn’t drain the vehicle’s battery.
•Do not allow the compressor to operate continuously for more than
15 minutes; this will help prevent the compressor from overheating.
346Wheels and Tires
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

First Stage: Reinflating the Tire with Sealing Compound and Air
WARNING:Do not stand directly over the temporary mobility kit
while inflating the tire. If you notice any unusual bulges or
deformations in the tire’s sidewall during inflation, stop and call
roadside assistance.
WARNING:If the tire doesn’t inflate to the recommended tire
pressure within 15 minutes, stop and call roadside assistance.
Preparation
Park the vehicle in a safe, level and secure area, away from moving
traffic. Turn the hazard lights on. Apply the parking brake and turn the
engine off. Inspect the flat tire for visible damage.
Sealant compound contains latex. To avoid any allergic reactions, use the
non-latex gloves located in the accessory box on the underside of the
temporary mobility kit housing.
Do not remove any foreign object that has pierced the tire. If a puncture
is located in the tire sidewall, stop and call roadside assistance.
1. Remove the valve cap from the tire valve.
2. Unwrap the clear tube from the compressor housing.
3. Remove the tube cap and fasten the metal connector of the tube to
the tire valve, turning clockwise. Make sure the connection is tightly
fastened.
4. Plug the power cable into the
12-volt power point in the vehicle.
5. Remove the warning sticker found on the canister and place it on the
top of the instrument panel or the center of the dash.
6.Note:Start the engine only if the vehicle is outdoors or in a
well-ventilated area.
348Wheels and Tires
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Additives and Chemicals
Ford Motor Company recommended additives and chemicals are listed in
this book and in theWorkshop Manual.Additional chemicals or
additives not approved by Ford and are not recommended as part of
normal maintenance. Please consult yourWarranty Manualfor
complete warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and/or foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
every month or at six months intervals.
Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
Windshield washer fluid level
Check every six months
Battery connections; clean if necessary
Body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
Door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Parking brake for proper operation
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
Washer spray/wiper operation; clean or replace blades as necessary
372Scheduled Maintenance
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............ 186
Gauges ............................... 102–103
odometer ................................. 112
trip odometer .......................... 112
H
Hazard flashers ......................... 258
HD Radio™ ............................... 451
Headlamps
aiming ...................................... 302
bulb specifications .................. 308
flash to pass .............................. 89
high beam ........................... 89, 91
replacing bulbs ....................... 304
Head restraints ......................... 155
Heated steering wheel .............. 501
Heating .............. 142, 144, 146, 148
Help ............................................ 500
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................ 168
Home screen ............................. 437
Hood .......................................... 281
How to use voice commands ... 443
I
Ignition ............................... 177, 354
Illuminated visor mirror ..... 99–100
Information displays ................. 109
Infotainment display ................. 441
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................ 191
Instrument panel
cleaning ................................... 313cluster ...................................... 103
Intelligent Access Key ................ 56
J
Jack ............................................ 339
positioning ............................... 339
storage ..................................... 339
Joining two calls
(multiparty/conference call) .... 398
Jump-starting your vehicle ...... 259
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ..................................... 71
keypad ....................................... 74
locking and unlocking doors .... 75
programming entry code ......... 74
Keys ....................................... 56, 77
positions of the ignition ......... 177
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................ 308
headlamps, flash to pass .......... 89
interior lamps ........................... 94
replacing bulbs ....................... 304
LATCH anchors ........................... 28
Lights, warning and indicator .. 103
Listening to music .................... 449
Loading pictures ....................... 492
Load limits ................................. 240
Locks
autolock ..................................... 71
childproof .................................. 32
doors .......................................... 69
Index537
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Towing ....................... 248, 250–251
recreational towing ................. 251
trailer towing .......................... 248
wrecker .................................... 250
Traction control ........................ 206
Traffic, Directions and
Information ................................ 413
Traffic preferences ................... 509
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities .............. 356
lubricant specifications .......... 356
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) .... 195
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ............................. 292
Trunk ..................................... 75–76
remote release .......................... 70
Turn signal .................................. 93
U
USB port .................... 138–139, 467
Using privacy mode .................. 398
V
Vehicle health report ........ 411, 490Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) .......................................... 360
Vehicle loading .......................... 240
Ventilating your vehicle ........... 180
Voice commands in media
mode .......................................... 417
Voice commands in phone
mode .......................................... 395
Voice recognition ...................... 442
W
Warning lights (see Lights) ..... 103
Washer fluid .............................. 297
Water, Driving through ............. 254
Wi-Fi .......................................... 497
Windows
power ......................................... 95
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers .......................................... 87
checking and adding fluid ..... 297
replacing wiper blades ........... 300
Wrecker towing ......................... 250
Index541
2013 Taurus
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)