Ford Taurus (2018 year). Manual — part 47

Why is the feature not available (line markings are gray) when I can see the lane markings

on the road?

Staying too close to the lane marking

Driving at high speeds in curves

The last Alert warning or Aid intervention occurred a short time ago

Ambiguous lane markings (mainly in construction zones)

Rapid transition from light to dark or vice versa

Sudden offset in lane markings

ABS or AdvanceTrac activation

Camera blockage due to dirt, grime, fog, frost or water on the windshield

Driving too close to the vehicle in front of you

Transitioning between no lane markings to lane markings or vice versa

Standing water on the road

Faint lane markings (partial yellow lane markings on concrete roads)

Lane width too narrow or too wide

Camera not calibrated after a windshield replacement

Driving on tight roads or on uneven roads

Why does the vehicle not come back toward the middle of the lane, as expected, in the

Aid or Aid + Alert mode?

High cross winds

Large road crown

Rough roads, grooves, shoulder drop-offs

Heavy uneven loading of the vehicle or improper tire inflation pressure

If the tires have been exchanged (including snow tires), or the suspension has been
modified

BLIND SPOT INFORMATION
SYSTEM

(If Equipped)

WARNING

Never

use the Blind Spot

Information System as a
replacement for using the interior

and exterior mirrors or looking over your
shoulder before changing lanes. The Blind
Spot Information System is not a
replacement for careful driving.

A

A

E124788

The Blind Spot Information System is
designed to aid you in detecting vehicles
that may have entered the blind spot zone
(A). The detection area is on both sides of
your vehicle, extending rearward from the
exterior mirrors to approximately 10 ft
(3 m) beyond the bumper. The system is
designed to alert you if certain vehicles
enter the blind spot zone while driving.

Note:

The Blind Spot Information System

does not prevent contact with other vehicles
or objects; nor detect parked vehicles,
people, animals or infrastructure (fences,
guardrails, trees). It’s only designed to alert
you to vehicles in the blind spot zones.

Note:

When a vehicle passes quickly

through the blind spot zone, typically fewer
than two seconds, the system does not
trigger.

Using the System

The Blind Spot Information System turns
on when you start the engine and you drive
your vehicle forward above 3 mph
(5 km/h).

For automatic transmissions, the Blind
Spot Information System remains on while
the transmission is in drive (D). If shifted
into reverse (R) or park (P) the Blind Spot
Information System turns off. Once shifted
back into drive (D), the Blind Spot
Information System turns back on when
you drive your vehicle above 3 mph
(5 km/h).

For manual transmissions, the Blind Spot
Information System is on for all gears
except the reverse (R).

Note:

The Blind Spot Information System

does not function in reverse (R) or park (P).

System Lights and Messages

E142442

The Blind Spot Information System
illuminates an amber alert indicator in the
outside mirror on the side of your vehicle
the approaching vehicle is coming from.

The alert indicator dims when the system
detects nighttime darkness.

System Sensor Blockage

E205199

The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Any dirt, mud and
snow in front of the sensors and/or driving
in heavy rain can cause system
degradation. Also, other types of
obstructions in front of the sensor can
cause system degradation. This is referred
to as a ‘blocked’ condition.

Note:

Do not apply bumper stickers and/or

repair compound to these areas, this can
cause degraded system performance.

If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor will appear in the
information display. Also the system alert
indicators will remain ON and the system
will no longer provide any vehicle warnings.
You can clear the information display
warning but the alert indicators will remain
illuminated.

A "blocked" condition can be cleared in
two ways:
•

After the blockage in front of the
sensors is removed or the
rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or
stops, drive for a few minutes in traffic
to allow the sensors to detect passing
vehicles.

•

By cycling the ignition from ON to OFF
and then back ON.

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.

System Errors

If the system senses a problem with the
left or right sensor, the telltale will
illuminate and a message will appear in
the information display. See Information
Messages

(page 97).

System Limitations

The system does have its limitations;
situations such as severe weather
conditions or debris build-up on the sensor
may limit vehicle detection.

The following are other situations that may
limit the system:
•

Certain maneuvering of vehicles
entering and exiting the blind zone.

•

Vehicles passing through the blind zone
at very fast rates.

•

When several vehicles forming a
convoy pass through the blind zone.

Switching the System Off and On

You can temporarily switch the Blind Spot
Information System off in the information
display. See General Information (page
88). When the Blind Spot Information
System switches off, you will not receive
alerts and the information display shows
a system off message. The telltale in the
cluster also illuminates. When you switch
the Blind Spot Information System on or
off, the alert indicators flash twice.

Note:

The system switches back on every

time you start your vehicle.

You can also have the Blind Spot
Information System switched off
permanently at an authorized dealer. Once
switched off permanently, the system can
only be switched back on at an authorized
dealer.

CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT

(If

Equipped)

WARNING

Never

use the Cross Traffic Alert

system as a replacement for using
the interior and exterior mirrors and

looking over your shoulder before backing
out of a parking space. Cross Traffic Alert
is not a replacement for careful driving.

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to warn you
of vehicles approaching from the sides
when the transmission is in reverse (R).

Using the System

Cross Traffic Alert turns on when you start
the engine and you shift into reverse (R).
Once shifted out of reverse (R), Cross
Traffic Alert turns off.

Note:

Cross Traffic Alert only functions

while your transmission is in reverse (R).

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to alert the
driver of certain collision risks. Coverage
decreases when the sensors are partially,
mostly or fully obstructed. Reversing slowly
helps increase the coverage area and
effectiveness.

E142440

In this first example, the left sensor is only
partially obstructed; zone coverage to the
right is nearly maximized.