Ford Taurus X (2009 year). Manual — part 66

P (Park)

This position locks the transmission and prevents the front wheels from
turning.

To put your vehicle in gear:
• Depress the brake pedal
• Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
• Come to a complete stop
• Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)

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.

R (Reverse)

With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).

N (Neutral)

With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.

D (Drive) with Overdrive

The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through six.

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D (Drive) with Overdrive Cancel and Grade Assist

Pressing the transmission control
switch on the side of the gearshift
lever activates two features at the
same time: Overdrive Cancel and
Grade Assist.

1. Overdrive Cancel
• Overdrive is deactivated.
• The transmission operates in gears one through five.
• The O/D OFF lamp in the

instrument cluster is illuminated.

2. Grade Assist
• Improves driving experience in hilly terrain or mountainous areas by

providing additional grade (engine) braking and extends lower gear
operation on uphill climbs.

• Provides additional engine braking through the automatic transmission

shift strategy which reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle acceleration,
accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed).

• Allows the transmission to select gears that will provide the desired

engine braking based on the vehicle inputs mentioned above. This will
increase engine RPM during engine braking.

Overdrive Cancel with Grade Assist is designed to provide optimal gear
selection in hilly terrain or mountainous areas. It is recommended that
you return to O/D (overdrive mode) on flat terrain to provide the best
fuel economy and transmission function.

To return to O/D (overdrive mode), press the transmission control switch
again.

O/D

OFF

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• The O/D OFF lamp in the instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
• The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
O/D (overdrive mode) is automatically returned each time the key is
turned off.

L (Low)
• Provides maximum engine braking.
• Will downshift to the lowest available gear for the current vehicle

speed; allows for first gear when vehicle reaches slower speeds.

REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)

The Reverse Sensing System (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when R (Reverse) is selected and the
vehicle is moving at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h). The system is not
effective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects.

WARNING: To help avoid personal injury, please read and
understand the limitations of the reverse sensing system as

contained in this section. Reverse sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat
surface at “parking speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the
function of the RSS; this may include reduced performance or a false
activation.

WARNING: To help avoid personal injury, always use caution
when in R (Reverse) and when using the RSS.

WARNING: This system is not designed to prevent contact with
small or moving objects. The system is designed to provide a

warning to assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to
avoid damaging the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller
objects, particularly those close to the ground.

WARNING: Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches,
bike or surfboard racks and any device that may block the

normal detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.

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The RSS detects obstacles up to six
feet (two meters) from the rear
bumper with a decreased coverage
area at the outer corners of the
bumper, (refer to the figures for
approximate zone coverage areas).
As you move closer to the obstacle,
the rate of the tone increases. When
the obstacle is less than 10 inches
(25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound
continuously. If the RSS detects a
stationary or receding object further
than 10 inches (25.0 cm) from the
side of the vehicle, the tone will
sound for only three seconds. Once
the system detects an object
approaching, the tone will sound
again.

While receiving a warning, the radio volume will be reduced to a
predetermined level. After the warning goes away, the radio will return
to the previous value.

The RSS automatically turns on
when the gear selector is placed in
R (Reverse) and the ignition is on.
An RSS control on the instrument
panel allows the driver to turn the
RSS on and off. To turn the RSS off
in any gear, the ignition must be on. An indicator light on the control will
illuminate when the system is turned off. If the indicator light illuminates
when the RSS is not turned off, it may indicate a failure in the RSS.

Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the RSS.

If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.

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