Ford Taurus Owners Manual: 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 the engine 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 gearshift is in position P.

• Turn the ignition key to the on position. If your vehicle is equipped with a keyless ignition, see the following instructions.

Vehicles with an Ignition Key

Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.

1. Fully press the brake pedal.

2. Turn the key to the start position. Release the key when the engine starts.

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.

Vehicles with Keyless Start

Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.

1. Fully press the brake pedal.

2. Press the button.

The system does not function if: • The key frequencies are jammed.

• The key battery has no charge.

If you are unable to start your vehicle, do the following:

1. Locate the key backup slot in the


1. Locate the key backup slot in the center console utility compartment.

2. With the buttons facing the rear of the vehicle and the key ring up, place the key into backup slot.

3. With the key in this position, press the brake pedal, then the button to switch the ignition on and start your vehicle.

Fast Restart (Vehicles with Keyless Start)

The fast restart feature allows you to restart the engine within 20 seconds of switching it off, even if a valid key is not present.

Within 20 seconds of switching the engine off, press the brake pedal and press the button. After 20 seconds have expired, you can no longer start the engine without the key present inside your vehicle.

Once the engine has started, it remains running until you press the button, even if the system does not detect a valid key. If you open and close a door while the engine is running, the system searches for a valid key. You cannot start the engine if the system does not detect a valid key within 20 seconds.

Failure to Start

If you cannot start the engine after three attempts, wait 10 seconds and follow this procedure: 1. Fully press the brake pedal.

2. Fully press the accelerator pedal and hold it there.

3. Start the engine.

Automatic Engine Shutdown

If your vehicle is equipped with a keyless ignition, it has a feature that automatically shuts down the engine if it has been idling for an extended period. The ignition also turns off in order to save battery power. Before the engine shuts down, a message appears in the information display showing a timer counting down from 30 seconds. If you do not intervene within 30 seconds, the engine shuts down. Another message appears in the information display to inform you that the engine has shut down in order to save fuel. Start your vehicle as you normally do.

Automatic Engine Shutdown Override

Note: You cannot permanently switch off the automatic engine shutdown feature. When you switch it off temporarily, it turns on at the next ignition cycle.

You can stop the engine shutdown, or reset the timer, at any point before the 30-second countdown has expired by doing any of the following: • You can reset the timer by interacting with your vehicle (such as pressing the brake pedal or accelerator pedal).

• You can temporarily switch off the shutdown feature any time the ignition is on (for the current ignition cycle only). Use the information display to do so.

• During the countdown before engine shutdown, you are prompted to press OK or RESET (depending on your type of information display) to temporarily switch the feature off (for the current ignition cycle only).

Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary

1. Move the transmission selector lever to position P.

2. If your vehicle has an ignition key, turn the key to the off position.

If your vehicle has a keyless start system, press the button once.

3. Apply the parking brake.

Note: This switches off the ignition, all electrical circuits, warning lamps and indicators.

Note: If the engine is idling for 30 minutes, the ignition and engine automatically shut down.

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, warning lamps and indicators may also be off.

1. If your vehicle has an ignition key

, move the transmission selector lever to position N and use the brakes to bring your vehicle to a safe stop. When your vehicle has stopped, move the transmission selector lever to position P and turn the key to the off position.

2. If your vehicle has a keyless start system

, press and hold the button for one second, or press it three times within two seconds.

Move the transmission selector lever to position N and use the brakes to bring your vehicle to a safe stop. When your vehicle has stopped, move the transmission selector lever to position P and switch the ignition off.

3. Apply the parking brake.

Your vehicle may have remote start capability. Refer to Remote start in the Keys and Remote Control chapter.

Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes

WARNING:

If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have this checked 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 leave the engine idling for long periods, we recommend that you do one of the following: • Open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters).

• Set your climate control to outside air.

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