Ford Taurus X (2009 year). Manual — part 65

system will regain all features. Anti-lock braking, and ESC are not
affected by this condition and will continue to function during the
cool-down period.

The Engine Traction Control and Brake Traction Control system may be
deactivated in certain situations. See the Switching Off AdvanceTrac

威

section below.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to
one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine
power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide
laterally.

During Electronic Stability Control events the “sliding car” icon

in the

instrument cluster will flash.

Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Electronic Stability
Control system, which include but are not limited to:
• Taking a turn too fast
• Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
• Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
• Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
• Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice

versa

• Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
• Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer to Trailer

towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter).

The Electronic Stability Control system may be deactivated in certain
situations. See the Switching Off AdvanceTrac

威 section below.

Switching Off AdvanceTrac

威

If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off certain features of the AdvanceTrac

威 system may be

beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This will restore full
engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle. To
switch off the AdvanceTrac

威 system press the AdvanceTrac威 ⬙Off⬙

button. Full features of the AdvanceTrac

威 system can be restored by

pressing the AdvanceTrac

威 ⬙Off⬙ button again or by turning off and

restarting the engine.

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262

If you switch off the AdvanceTrac

威 system the AdvanceTrac “Off” button

will illuminate and the sliding car

⬙ icon

will illuminate steadily.

Pressing the AdvanceTrac

威 ⬙Off⬙ button again will turn off the lighted

button and the

⬙sliding car⬙ icon

.

In R (Reverse), ABS and the Engine and Brake Traction Control features
will continue to function; however, ESC is disabled.

AdvanceTrac

威 with RSC威 Features

Button functions

“Sliding car”

icon

ESC

Traction

Control

Default at start-up

Illuminated

during bulb

check

Enabled

Enabled

Button pressed
momentarily

Illuminated solid

Enabled

Disabled

Button pressed
again after
deactivation

Not illuminated

Enabled

Enabled

STEERING

To help prevent damage to the power steering system, never hold the
steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it stops) for more than
a few seconds when the engine is running.

It is also important to maintain a proper power steering fluid level in the
power steering fluid reservoir:
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.

See Power steering fluid in the Maintenance and Specifications
chapter.

• Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check

for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.

• Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering

pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.

• Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the maximum

level, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir. See Power
steering fluid in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is off), you
can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.

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263

If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
• an improperly inflated tire
• uneven tire wear
• loose or worn suspension components
• loose or worn steering components
• improper steering alignment

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION

Brake-shift interlock

This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless brake pedal is depressed.

If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal depressed:

1. Apply the parking brake, turn
ignition key to off, then remove the
key.

2. Using a screwdriver (or similar
tool), remove the protective cover
to the interlock release access hole
on the console.

3. Insert the screwdriver (or similar
tool) into the access hole and press
downward while pulling the
gearshift lever out of the P (Park)
position and into the N (Neutral)
position.

4. Remove the tool and reinstall the
protective cover.

5. Start the vehicle and release the
parking brake.

If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer to Fuses and relays in the Roadside
Emergencies chapter.

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264

WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.

WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off

position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.

WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be

working properly. See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Automatic Transmission Adaptive Learning

Your transmission is equipped with an adaptive learning strategy found in
the vehicle computer. This feature is designed to increase durability and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. Additionally, whenever the battery is
disconnected or a new battery installed, the strategy must be relearned.

Understanding the gearshift positions of the 6–speed automatic
transmission

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265