Ford Taurus (2018 year). Manual — part 48

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Zone coverage also decreases when
parking at shallow angles. Here, the left
sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage
on that side is severely limited.

System Lights, Messages and
Audible Alerts

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The Cross Traffic Alert illuminates an
amber alert indicator in the outside mirror
on the side of your vehicle the approaching
vehicle is coming from. Cross Traffic Alert
also sounds an audible alert and a
message appears in the information
display indicating a vehicle is coming from
the right or left. Cross Traffic Alert works
with the reverse sensing system that
sounds its own series of tones. See Rear
Parking Aid

(page 170).

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The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,
snow or bumper stickers to obstruct these
areas, this can cause degraded system
performance. See Blind Spot

Information System

(page 192). If the

Blind Spot Information System is blocked,
Cross Traffic Alert is also blocked. A
corresponding message appears in the
information display as soon as you shift
the transmission into reverse (R).

System Limitations

Cross Traffic Alert has its limitations;
situations such as severe weather
conditions or debris build-up on the sensor
area may limit vehicle detection.

The system detects approaching vehicles
from up to 45 ft (14 m) away, though
coverage decreases when the sensors are
blocked. Reversing slowly helps increase
the coverage area and effectiveness.

The following are other situations that may
limit the Cross Traffic Alert performance:
•

Stationary or slow moving vehicles.

•

Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.

•

Oncoming vehicles in the same lame.

•

Severe weather conditions.

•

Debris build-up near or around the
sensor(s).

•

Small distance to the vehicle ahead.

•

Adjacently parking vehicles or objects
obstructing the sensors.

•

Approaching vehicles passing at
speeds greater than 15 mph (24 km/h).

•

Driving in reverse faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h).

•

Backing out of an angled parking spot.

If the rear end of the vehicle is hit or
damaged, the radar sensing zone may be
altered causing missed or false collision
warnings. See your authorized dealer to
have your collision warning radar checked
for proper coverage and operation.

False Alerts

Note:

When towing a trailer, the sensors

may detect the trailer thus causing a false
alert. It may be desirable to turn the Blind
Spot Information System off if the false
alerts become annoying.

There may be certain instances when there
is a false alert by the Cross Traffic Alert
system that illuminates the alert indicator
with no vehicle in the coverage zone. Some
amount of false alerts are normal; they are
temporary and self-correct.

System Errors

If Cross Traffic Alert senses a problem with
the left or right sensor a message will
appear in the information display. See
Information Messages

(page 97).

Switching the System Off and On

You can temporarily switch Cross Traffic
Alert off in the information display. See
Information Messages

(page 97). When

you switch Cross Traffic Alert off, you will
not receive alerts and the information
display will display a system off message.

Note:

The Cross Traffic Alert switches on

whenever the ignition is switched on and
ready to provide appropriate alerts when
the transmission is in reverse (R). Cross
Traffic Alert will not remember the last
selected on or off setting.

You can also have Cross Traffic Alert
switched off permanently at an authorized
dealer. Once switched off permanently,
the system can only be switched back on
at an authorized dealer.

STEERING

Electric Power Steering

WARNINGS

The electric power steering system
has diagnostic checks that
continuously monitor the system. If

a fault is detected, a message displays in
the information display. Stop your vehicle
as soon as it is safe to do so. Switch the
ignition off. After at least 10 seconds,
switch the ignition on and watch the
information display for a steering system
warning message. If a steering system
warning message returns, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.

If the system detects an error, you
may not feel a difference in the
steering, however a serious condition

may exist. Obtain immediate service from
an authorized dealer, failure to do so may
result in loss of steering control.

Your vehicle has an electric power steering
system. There is no fluid reservoir. No
maintenance is required.

If your vehicle loses electrical power while
you are driving, electric power steering
assistance is lost. The steering system still
operates and you can steer your vehicle
manually. Manually steering your vehicle
requires more effort.

Extreme continuous steering may increase
the effort required for you to steer your
vehicle. This increased effort prevents
overheating and permanent damage to
the steering system. You do not lose the
ability to steer your vehicle manually.
Typical steering and driving maneuvers
allow the system to cool and return to
normal operation.

Steering Tips

If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•

Correct tire pressures.

•

Uneven tire wear.

•

Loose or worn suspension
components.

•

Loose or worn steering components.

•

Improper vehicle alignment.

Note:

A high crown in the road or high

crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander or pull.

Adaptive Learning

The electronic power steering system
adaptive learning helps correct road
irregularities and improves overall handling
and steering feel. It communicates with
the brake system to help operate
advanced stability control and accident
avoidance systems. Additionally, whenever
the battery is disconnected or a new
battery installed, you must drive your
vehicle a short distance before the system
relearns the strategy and reactivates all
systems.

COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM

(If Equipped)

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

WARNINGS

This system is designed to be a
supplementary driving aid. It is not
intended to replace the driver’s

attention, and judgment, or the need to
apply the brakes. This system does NOT
activate the brakes automatically. Failure
to press the brake pedal to activate the
brakes may result in a collision.

WARNINGS

The collision warning system with
brake support cannot help prevent
all collisions. Do not rely on this

system to replace driver judgment and the
need to maintain distance and speed.

Note:

The system does not detect, warn or

respond to potential collisions with vehicles
to the rear or sides of the vehicle.

Note:

The collision warning system is active

at speeds above approximately 5 mph
(8 km/h).

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This system is designed to alert the driver
of certain collision risks. A radar detects if
your vehicle is rapidly approaching another
vehicle traveling in the same direction as
yours.

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If it is, a red warning light illuminates and
an audible warning chime sounds.

The brake support system assists the driver
in reducing the collision speed by charging
the brakes. If the risk of collision further
increases after the warning light
illuminates, the brake support prepares
the brake system for rapid braking. This
may be apparent to the driver. The system
does not automatically activate the brakes
but, if the brake pedal is pressed, full force
braking is applied even if the brake pedal
is lightly pressed.

Using the Collision Warning System

WARNING

The collision warning system’s brake
support can only help reduce the
speed at which a collision occurs if

the driver applies the vehicle’s brakes. The
brake pedal must be pressed just like any
typical braking situation.

The warning system sensitivity can be
adjusted to one of three possible settings
by using the information display control.
See General Information (page 88).

Note:

If collision warnings are perceived as

being too frequent or disturbing then the
warning sensitivity can be reduced, though
the manufacturer recommends using the
highest sensitivity setting where possible.
Setting lower sensitivity would lead to fewer
and later system warnings. See General
Information (page 88).

Blocked Sensors

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