Ford Taurus (2018 year). Manual — part 33

GENERAL INFORMATION

WARNINGS

Extended idling at high engine
speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and

exhaust system, creating the risk of fire or
other damage.

Do not park, idle or drive your vehicle
on dry grass or other dry ground
cover. The emission system heats up

the engine compartment and exhaust
system, creating the risk of fire.

Do not start the engine in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas.
Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always

open the garage door before you start the
engine.

Exhaust leaks may result in entry of
harmful and potentially lethal fumes
into the passenger compartment. If

you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your vehicle inspected
immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.

If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle
may exhibit some unusual driving
characteristics for approximately 5 mi
(8 km) after you reconnect it. This is
because the engine management system
must realign itself with the engine. You
can disregard any unusual driving
characteristics during this period.

The powertrain control system meets all
Canadian interference-causing equipment
standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field or radio noise.

When you start the engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator pedal before and during
operation. Only use the accelerator pedal
when you have difficulty starting the
engine.

IGNITION SWITCH

E180794

A

(off) - The ignition is off.

Note:

When you switch the ignition off and

leave your vehicle, do not leave your key in
the ignition. This could cause your vehicle
battery to lose charge.

Note:

To switch the engine off when your

vehicle is moving, move the transmission
selector lever to position N. Use the brakes
to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. After your
vehicle has stopped, switch the engine off
and move the transmission selector lever to
position P. Turn the key to position A or B.

B

(accessory) - Allows the electrical

accessories such as the radio to operate
while the engine is not running.

Note:

Do not leave the ignition key in this

position for too long. This could cause your
vehicle battery to lose charge.

C

(on) - All electrical circuits operational.

Warning lamps and indicators illuminate.

D

(start) - cranks the engine. Release the

key as soon as the engine starts.

KEYLESS STARTING

(If Equipped)

Note:

The keyless starting system may not

function if the key is close to metal objects
or electronic devices such as cellular
phones.

Note:

A valid key must be located inside

your vehicle to switch the ignition on and
start the engine.

Ignition Modes

E191075

The keyless starting system has three
modes:

Off:

Turns the ignition off.

•

Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once
when the ignition is in the on mode, or
when the engine is running but the
vehicle is not moving.

On:

All electrical circuits are operational

and the warning lamps and indicators
illuminate.

•

Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once.

Note:

You may have to press the push

button ignition switch twice to switch the
ignition on.

Start:

Starts the engine.

•

Press the brake pedal, and then press
the button for any length of time. An
indicator light on the button illuminates
when then ignition is on and when the
engine starts.

STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE

When you start the engine, the idle speed
increases. This helps to warm up the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not
slow down automatically, have your
vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.

Note:

You can crank the engine for a total

of 60 seconds without the engine starting
before the starting system temporarily
disables. The 60 seconds does not have to
be all at once. For example, if you crank the
engine three times for 20 seconds each
time, without the engine starting, you
reached the 60-second time limit. A
message appears in the information display
alerting you that you exceeded the cranking
time. You cannot attempt to start the
engine for at least 15 minutes. After 15
minutes, you are limited to a 15-second
engine cranking time. You need to wait 60
minutes before you can crank the engine for
60 seconds again.

Before starting your vehicle, check the
following:
•

Make sure all occupants have fastened
their safety belts.

•

Make sure the headlamps and
electrical accessories are off.

•

Make sure the parking brake is on.

•

Make sure the transmission is in park
(P).

To start the engine, do the following:

Note:

Do not touch the accelerator pedal.

1.

Fully depress the brake pedal.

2. Turn the key to the start position to

start the engine.

Note:

The engine may continue cranking

for up to 15 seconds or until it starts.

Note:

If you cannot start the engine on the

first try, wait for a short period and try again.

Failure to Start

If you cannot start the engine after three
attempts, wait 10 seconds and follow this
procedure:

1.

Fully depress the brake pedal.

2. Shift into park (P).

3. Fully press the accelerator pedal and

hold it there.

4. Start the engine.

Cold Weather Starting - Flex Fuel
Vehicles

WARNING

Do not use starting fluid, for example
ether, in the air intake system. Such
fluid could cause immediate

explosive damage to the engine and
possible personal injury.

The starting characteristics of all grades
of E85 ethanol make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below
0°F (-18°C). Consult your fuel distributor
for the availability of winter grade ethanol.
As the outside temperature approaches
freezing, ethanol fuel distributors should
supply winter grade ethanol, the same as
with unleaded gasoline. If summer grade
ethanol is used in cold weather conditions,
0°F to 32°F (-18°C to 0°C), you may
experience increased cranking times, rough
idle or hesitation until the engine has
warmed up.

You may experience a decrease in peak
performance when the engine is cold when
operating on E85 ethanol.

Do not crank the engine for more than 10
seconds at a time. This may cause
damage to the starter motor. If the engine
does not start, turn the key to the off
position and wait 30 seconds before trying
again.

If your vehicle does not start on E85
ethanol, and neither an alternative brand
of E85 ethanol nor an engine block heater
is available, the addition of unleaded
gasoline to the fuel tank improves cold
starting performance.

If the engine fails to start, do the following:

1.

Press the accelerator pedal down
one-third to one-half of its travel, and
then crank the engine.

2. When the engine starts, release the

key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speed
increases. If the engine still does not
start, repeat Step 1.

Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Stationary

1.

Shift into park (P).

2. Turn the key to the off position.

3. Apply the parking brake.

Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Moving

WARNING

Switching off the engine when the
vehicle is still moving will result in a
loss of brake and steering assistance.

The steering will not lock, but higher effort
will be required. When the ignition is
switched off, some electrical circuits,
including air bags, warning lamps and
indicators may also be off. If the ignition
was turned off accidentally, you can shift
into neutral (N) and re-start the engine.

1.

Shift into neutral and use the brakes to
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.

2. When your vehicle has stopped, shift

into park (P) and switch the ignition
off.

3. Apply the parking brake.

Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes

WARNING

If you smell exhaust fumes inside
your vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by your authorized dealer

immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if
you smell exhaust fumes. Carbon
monoxide is present in exhaust fumes.
Take precautions to avoid its dangerous
effects.

Important Ventilating Information

If you stop your vehicle and then leave the
engine idling for long periods, we
recommend that you do one of the
following:
•

Open the windows at least 1 in (3 cm).

•

Set your climate control to outside air.

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

(If

Equipped)

WARNINGS

Failure to follow engine block heater
instructions could result in property
damage or serious personal injury.

Do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged adapters. There is a risk

of electrical shock.

Do not fully close the hood, or allow
it to drop under its own weight when
using the engine block heater. This

could damage the power cable and may
cause an electrical short resulting in fire,
injury and property damage.

Note:

The heater is most effective when

outdoor temperatures are below 0°F
(-18°C).

The heater acts as a starting aid by
warming the engine coolant. This allows
the climate control system to respond
quickly. The equipment includes a heater
element (installed in the engine block) and
a wire harness. You can connect the
system to a grounded 120-volt AC
electrical source.

We recommend that you do the following
for a safe and correct operation:
•

Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord
that is product certified by
Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) or
Canadian Standards Association
(CSA). This extension cord must be
suitable for use outdoors, in cold
temperatures, and be clearly marked
Suitable for Use with Outdoor
Appliances. Do not use an indoor
extension cord outdoors. This could
result in an electric shock or become a
fire hazard.

•

Use as short an extension cord as
possible.

•

Do not use multiple extension cords.

•

Make sure that when in operation, the
extension cord plug and heater cord
plug connections are free and clear of
water. This could cause an electric
shock or fire.

•

Make sure your vehicle is parked in a
clean area, clear of combustibles.

•

Make sure the heater, heater cord and
extension cord are firmly connected.

•

Check for heat anywhere in the
electrical hookup once the system has
been operating for approximately 30
minutes.