four wheel drive FORD TAURUS 2018 Owners Manual

Starting and Stopping the
Engine
General Information ...................................135
Ignition Switch ..............................................
135
Keyless Starting ............................................
135
Starting a Gasoline Engine ......................
136
Engine Block Heater ...................................
138
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions .....................................
140
Fuel Quality - E85 .......................................
140
Fuel Quality - Gasoline ..............................
142
Fuel Filler Funnel Location .......................
142
Running Out of Fuel ....................................
142
Refueling .........................................................
144
Fuel Consumption ......................................
146
Engine Emission Control
Emission Law ................................................
148
Catalytic Converter .....................................
149
Transmission
Automatic Transmission ...........................
152
All-Wheel Drive
Using All-Wheel Drive ................................
156
Brakes
General Information ...................................
163
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes ........................................................................\
.
163
Parking Brake ................................................
164
Hill Start Assist .............................................
164
Traction Control
Principle of Operation ...............................
166
Using Traction Control ..............................
166Stability Control
Principle of Operation
................................
167
Using Stability Control ..............................
168
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation ................................
170
Rear Parking Aid ...........................................
170
Active Park Assist ..........................................
171
Rear View Camera .......................................
175
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation ................................
179
Using Cruise Control ...................................
179
Using Adaptive Cruise Control ...............
180
Driving Aids
Driver Alert .....................................................
186
Lane Keeping System ................................
187
Blind Spot Information System .............
192
Cross Traffic Alert ........................................
194
Steering ...........................................................
197
Collision Warning System .........................
197
Load Carrying
Load Limit .....................................................
200
Towing
Towing a Trailer ...........................................
205
Recommended Towing Weights ..........
206
Essential Towing Checks .........................
207
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels .....
209
Driving Hints
Breaking-In .....................................................
210
Economical Driving .....................................
210
Driving Through Water ................................
211
Floor Mats ........................................................
211
3
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing Table of Contents

USING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (If
Equipped)
All-wheel drive uses all four wheels to
power the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain and road
conditions that a conventional two-wheel
drive vehicle cannot. The AWD system is
active all the time and requires no input
from the operator.
Note: Your AWD vehicle is not intended for
off-road use. The AWD feature gives your
vehicle some limited off-road capabilities
in which driving surfaces are relatively level,
obstruction-free and otherwise similar to
normal on-road driving conditions.
Operating your vehicle under other than
those conditions could subject the vehicle
to excessive stress which might result in
damage which is not covered under your
warranty.
Note: The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) in
Taurus SHO™ performance package
vehicles does not require any normal
scheduled maintenance. The system is
electronically monitored and notifies the
driver of required service by displaying the
message
Change AWD Power Transfer
Unit Lube in the information display. The
PTU lubricant will be more likely to require
a fluid change if the vehicle has experienced
extended periods of extreme or severe duty
cycle driving. Do not check or change the
PTU lubricant unless the unit shows signs
of leakage or a message indicating required
service is displayed. Contact an authorized
dealer for service if the PTU was submerged
in water and to reset the PTU lube life
monitor. Note:
When an AWD system fault is
present, the warning
Check AWD displays
in the information display. The AWD system
is not functioning correctly and defaulted
to front-wheel drive. When this warning
displays, have your vehicle serviced at an
authorized dealer.
Note: The
AWD OFF message may also
appear in the information display if the AWD
system overheats and defaults to
front-wheel drive. This may occur if the
vehicle is operated in extreme conditions
with excessive wheel slip, such as deep
sand. To resume normal AWD function as
soon as possible, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and stop the engine for at least 10
minutes. After the engine has been
restarted and the AWD system has
adequately cooled, the AWD OFF message
will turn off and normal AWD function
returns. If the engine is not stopped, the
AWD OFF
message turns off when the
system cools and normal AWD function
returns.
156
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing All-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

Sand
Most of the time traction control improves
tire traction by managing wheel slip
through Brake, Engine, and AWD
calibrations. However, during low speed
driving, disabling traction control in deep
sand can help keep the wheels moving to
maintain vehicle momentum.
When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels on the most solid area of the trail.
Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily through
the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand for
an extended period of time. This could
cause the AWD system to overheat and
default to front-wheel drive. If this occurs,
an AWD OFF message displays in the
information display. To resume normal
AWD function as soon as possible, stop
the vehicle in a safe location and stop the
engine for at least 10 minutes. After the
engine has been restarted and the AWD
system has adequately cooled, the
AWD
OFF message turns off and normal AWD
function returns. In the event the engine is
not stopped, the AWD OFF message turns
off when the system cools and normal
AWD function returns.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand
under high outside temperatures, use L
(Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear
operation will maximize the engine and
transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C
may cycle on and off to protect
overheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle
momentum can work against you and
cause the vehicle to become stuck to the
point that assistance may be required from
another vehicle. Remember, you may be
able to back out the way you came if you
proceed with caution. Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability may
be limited.
When driving through water, determine the
depth; avoid water higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom
of the hubs (for trucks) (if possible) and
proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets
wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly
while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction
in slick mud. As when you are driving over
sand, apply the accelerator slowly and
avoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicle
does slide, steer in the direction of the slide
until you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance that
could damage drive components.
Note:
Driving through deep water may
damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in
water, have the power transfer unit (PTU)
or rear axle serviced by an authorized
dealer. 160
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing All-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)E143950

Should you start to slide while driving on
snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel
in the direction of the slide until you regain
control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and
quick changes of direction on snow and
ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and
steadily when starting from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an
AWD vehicle may accelerate better than
a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice,
it won
’t stop any faster, because as in other
vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels.
Do not become overconfident as to road
conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for
stopping. Drive slower than usual and
consider using one of the lower gears. In
emergency stopping situations, apply the
brake steadily. Since your vehicle is
equipped with a four wheel (ABS), do not
“pump ” the brakes. See Hints on Driving
With Anti-Lock Brakes (page 163).
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and
tested to provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty and durable load
carrying capability. For this reason, Ford
Motor Company strongly recommends that
you do not make modifications such as
adding or removing parts (such as lowering
kits or stabilizer bars) or by using
replacement parts not equivalent to the
original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise
the center of gravity can make it more likely
the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss
of control. Ford Motor Company
recommends that caution be used with
any vehicle equipped with a high load or
device (such as ladder or luggage racks). Failure to maintain your vehicle properly
may void the warranty, increase your repair
cost, reduce vehicle performance and
operational capabilities and adversely
affect driver and passenger safety.
Frequent inspection of vehicle chassis
components is recommended if the vehicle
is subjected to off-highway usage.
162
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing All-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

USING ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL (If Equipped)
WARNINGS
Always pay close attention to
changing road conditions when using
adaptive cruise control. The system
does not replace attentive driving. Failing
to pay attention to the road may result in
a crash, serious injury or death. Do not use the adaptive cruise
control when entering or leaving a
highway, on roads with intersections
or roundabouts or non-vehicular traffic or
roads that are winding, slippery, unpaved,
or steep slopes. Do not use the system in poor
visibility, for example fog, heavy rain,
spray or snow.
Do not use the system when towing
a trailer with aftermarket trailer
brake controls. Aftermarket trailer
brakes will not function properly when you
switch the system on because the brakes
are electronically controlled. Failing to do
so may result in loss of vehicle control,
which could result in serious injury. Do not use tire sizes other than those
recommended because this can
affect the normal operation of the
system. Failure to do so may result in a loss
of vehicle control, which could result in
serious injury. Adaptive cruise control may not
detect stationary or slow moving
vehicles below
6 mph (10 km/h).
Adaptive cruise control does not
detect pedestrians or objects in the
road.
Adaptive cruise control does not
detect oncoming vehicles in the
same lane. WARNINGS
Adaptive cruise control is not a crash
warning or avoidance system.
Note:
It is your responsibility to stay alert,
drive safely and be in control of the vehicle
at all times.
The system adjusts your vehicle speed to
maintain the set gap between you and the
vehicle in front of you in the same lane.
You can select four gap settings.
The system uses a radar sensor that
projects a beam directly in front of your
vehicle. The adaptive cruise controls are on the
steering wheel.
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control
On
Press
ON.
The indicator, current gap setting
and set speed appear in the
information display.
180
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing Cruise ControlE173611 E144529

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
You can flat-tow (all wheels on the
ground, regardless of the
powertrain/transmission configuration)
your disabled vehicle (without access to
wheel dollies, car-hauling trailer, or flatbed
transport vehicle) under the following
conditions:
•
Your vehicle is facing forward so you
tow it in a forward direction.
• You place the transmission in neutral
(N). If you cannot place the
transmission in neutral (N), you may
need to override it. See Transmission
(page 152).
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is
50 mi (80 km).
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle.
See
Climate Control (page 109).
Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L Engine
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational towing, such as towing
your vehicle behind a motorhome. We
designed these guidelines to prevent
damage to your transmission.
Front-wheel drive vehicles
CANNOT be
flat-towed (all wheels on the ground) as
vehicle or transmission damage may occur.
You must place the front wheels on a
two-wheel tow dolly. If you are using a tow
dolly, follow the instructions specified by
the equipment provider. Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L or 3.7L
Engine
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational towing, such as towing
your vehicle behind a motorhome or truck.
We designed these guidelines to prevent
damage to your vehicle after it is
hooked-up to the recreational vehicle or
tow dolly.
You can tow your front-wheel drive vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground or with
the front wheels off the ground by using a
tow dolly. If you are using a tow dolly,
follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with
all four wheels on the ground, see the
following instructions.
You can tow your all-wheel drive vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground or with
all four wheels off the ground using a
vehicle transport trailer. Do not tow your
all-wheel drive vehicle with the front
wheels off the ground (by using a tow
dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground.
This causes damage to your all-wheel drive
system. If you are using a vehicle transport
trailer, follow the instructions specified by
the equipment provider. If you are towing
with all four wheels on the ground, see the
following instructions.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground:
•
Tow only in the forward direction.
• Release the parking brake.
• Shift into neutral (N).
• Do not exceed
65 mph (105 km/h).
• Start the engine and allow it to run for
five minutes at the beginning of each
day and every six hours thereafter. With
the engine running and your foot on the
brake, shift into drive (D) and then into
reverse (R) before shifting back into
neutral (N).
209
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing Towing

•
Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if
equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deep
water as you may lose control of your
vehicle.
Note:
Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the front
rocker area of your vehicle. When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so: •
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS WARNINGS
Use a floor mat designed to fit the
footwell of your vehicle that does not
obstruct the pedal area. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in the
loss of control of your vehicle, personal
injury or death. Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal
injury. Secure the floor mat to both
retention devices so that it cannot
slip out of position and interfere with
the pedals. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. Do not place additional floor mats
or any other covering on top of the
original floor mats. This could result
in the floor mat interfering with the
operation of the pedals. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. Always make sure that objects
cannot fall into the driver foot well
while your vehicle is moving. Objects
that are loose can become trapped under
the pedals causing a loss of vehicle control. 211
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing Driving HintsE266447

If you need to have your vehicle towed,
contact a professional towing service or,
if you are a member of a roadside
assistance program, your roadside
assistance service provider.
We recommend the use of a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment to tow your
vehicle. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford
Motor Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure. Vehicle
damage may occur if towed incorrectly, or
by any other means.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing
manual for all authorized tow truck
operators. Have your tow truck operator
refer to this manual for proper hook-up
and towing procedures for your vehicle.
It is acceptable to have your front-wheel
drive vehicle towed from the front if using
proper wheel lift equipment to raise the
front wheels off the ground. When towing
in this manner, the rear wheels can remain
on the ground.
Front-wheel drive vehicles must have the
front wheels placed on a tow dolly when
towing your vehicle from the rear using
wheel lift equipment. This prevents
damage to the transmission.
Towing an all-wheel or four-wheel drive
vehicle requires that all wheels be off the
ground, such as using a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. This prevents
damage to the transmission, all-wheel or
four-wheel drive system and vehicle.
218
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing Roadside Emergencies

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 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 kit.
Do not attempt to repair punctures larger
than ¼ inch (6 millimeters) 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 mi
(200 km). Drive only to the closest
authorized Ford 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 the Tips for
Use of the Kit section to make sure safe
operation of the kit and your vehicle.
Tips for Use of the Kit
Read the following list of tips to ensure
safe operation of the kit: •
Before operating the 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 does not move
unexpectedly.
• Do not remove any foreign objects,
such as nails or screws, from the tire.
• When using the kit, leave the engine
running, only if the vehicle is outdoors
or in a well-ventilated area, so the
compressor does not drain the vehicle
battery.
• Do not allow the compressor to
operate continuously for more than 15
minutes. This will help prevent the
compressor from overheating.
• Never leave the kit unattended when
it is operating.
• Sealant compound contains latex.
Make sure that you use the non-latex
gloves provided to avoid an allergic
reaction.
• Keep the kit away from children.
• Only use the kit when the ambient
temperature is between
-22°F (-30°C)
and 158°F (70°C).
• Only use the sealing compound before
the use by date. The use by date is on
the lower right-hand corner of the label
on the sealant canister, bottle. Check
the use by date regularly and replace
the canister after four years.
• Do not store the kit unsecured inside
the passenger compartment of the
vehicle as it may cause injury during a
sudden stop or crash. Always store the
kit in its original location.
• After sealant use, the tire pressure
monitoring system sensor and valve
stem on the wheel must be replaced
by an authorized Ford dealer.
268
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing Wheels and Tires

Speed rating
Letter
rating
168 mph (270 km/h)
W
186 mph (299 km/h)
Y
Note: For tires with a maximum
speed capability over 149 mph
(240 km/h), tire manufacturers
sometimes use the letters ZR. For
those with a maximum speed
capability over 186 mph (299
km/h), tire manufacturers always
use the letters ZR.
H. U.S. DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN): This begins with
the letters DOT and indicates that
the tire meets all federal
standards. The next two numbers
or letters are the plant code
designating where it was
manufactured, the next two are
the tire size code and the last four
numbers represent the week and
year the tire was built. For
example, the numbers 317 mean
the 31st week of 1997. After 2000,
the numbers go to four digits. For
example, 2501 means the 25th
week of 2001. The numbers in
between are identification codes
used for traceability. This
information is used to contact
customers if a tire defect requires
a recall.
I. M+S or M/S:
Mud and Snow, or
AT:
All Terrain, or
AS:
All Season. J.
Tire Ply Composition and
Material Used:
Indicates the
number of plies or the number of
layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate
the ply materials in the tire and the
sidewall, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others.
K. Maximum Load: Indicates the
maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the
tire. See the Safety Compliance
Certification Label (affixed to
either the door hinge pillar,
door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver's seating
position), for the correct tire
pressure for your vehicle.
L. Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades:
*Treadwear The treadwear grade
is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
277
Taurus (CPH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Second Printing Wheels and Tires