FORD FOCUS 2005 1.G Owners Manual

Page 101 of 224

5. Clip the tether strap to the
anchor as shown.
If the tether strap is clipped
incorrectly, the child safety
seat may not be retained properly
in the event of a collision.
6. Install the child safety seat tightly
using the LATCH anchors or safety belts. Follow the instructions in this
chapter.
7. Tighten the child safety seat tether strap according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a collision greatly increases.
Attaching child safety seats with Lower Anchor and Tethers for
Children (LATCH) attachments for child seat anchors
Some child safety seats have two rigid or webbing mounted attachments
that connect to two anchors at specific seating positions in your vehicle.
This type of child seat eliminates the need to use seat belts to attach the
child seat. For forward-facing child seats, the tether strap must also be
attached to the proper tether anchor point. For information on using
tether straps with the child safety seats, refer toAttaching safety seats
with tether strapsin this chapter.
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
101

Page 102 of 224

LATCH anchors for child seat
installation have been provided in
your vehicle at the following locations:
The anchors on both sides of the
center of the rear seat are provided
primarily for child seats at the
outboard seats and are further apart
than the pairs of lower anchors for
child seat installation at other seats. A child seat with rigid LATCH
attachments cannot be installed at the center rear seat. A child seat with
LATCH attachments on belt webbing can be used at the center rear seat
unless a child seat at an outboard rear seat is attached to one of these lower
anchors. Install a child seat onto the lower anchors at the center rear seat
ONLY IF the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the child seat
can be installed to anchors that are spaced up to 450 mm apart.
Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the same anchor.
In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two
child seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or death.
The LATCH anchors are located on
the rear section of the seat cushion,
at the bottom of the seatback.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions to properly install safety
seats with LATCH attachments.
Attach the LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to
the appropriate locations shown.
Once you have installed the LATCH safety seat, assure that the seat is
properly attached to LATCH and tether anchors. Also, test the safety seat
before you place the child in it. Tilt the seat from side to side. Also try to
tug the seat forward. Check to see if the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat in not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a collision greatly increases.
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
102

Page 103 of 224

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transaxle gearshift lever
and allows key removal.
2. OFF, shuts the engine and all
electrical accessories off without
locking the steering wheel.
3. ON, all electrical circuits
operational. Warning lights
illuminated. Key position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
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 in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
Driving
103

Page 104 of 224

If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transaxle:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
104

Page 105 of 224

If starting a vehicle with a manual
transaxle:
1. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
2. Push the clutch pedal to the floor.
•Turn the key to 3 (ON) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
105

Page 106 of 224

Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 3 (ON) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
2. Turn the key to 4 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to OFF, wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and heater/defroster performance. Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-10°F (-23°C) or below. For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before starting the vehicle. The heater can be plugged in the night
before starting the vehicle.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use your heater
with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
106

Page 107 of 224

BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by a qualified service technician. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Under normal operating conditions, brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels. Some brake dust is inevitable as brakes wear and does not
contribute to brake noise. The use of modern friction materials with
emphasis on improved performance and environmental considerations
can lead to more dust than in the past. Brake dust can be cleaned by
weekly washing with soapy water and a soft sponge. Heavier deposits can
be removed with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A).
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
This system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops
by keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor
and brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking; any
pulsation or mechanical noise you may feel or hear is normal.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced
ABS
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
107

Page 108 of 224

Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system serviced immediately.)
Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), pull
the parking brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the handle up slightly,
then push the handle down.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Controlsystem. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads
and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction in these conditions.
12
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
108

Page 109 of 224

During Traction Controloperation,
the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric
motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the
engine will not“rev-up”when you push further on the accelerator. This
is normal system behavior and should be no reason for concern.
At speeds below 85 km/h (53 mph), both the engine and the brake
system will be used to control wheel spin; at speeds above 85 km/h
(53 mph), only engine torque reduction is used. When the Traction
Controlsystem is switched off, the braking system will still be used to
control wheel spin at speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph).
The Traction Controlswitch is
located on the center console, by
the gearshift lever. The Traction
Controlsystem will automatically
turn on every time the ignition is
turned off and on.
If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction
Controlsystem off by pressing the switch. This may allow excess wheel
spin to“dig”the vehicle out and enable a successful“rocking”maneuver.
If you want to turn off the Traction Controlsystem be aware that, for
safety reasons, the switch must be pressed and held for at least one
second before the system is turned off. To re-engage the Traction
Controlsystem, the button must again be held for at least one second.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Controlbutton will not turn the system on or
off and your vehicle should be serviced.
STEERING
To 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.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
109

Page 110 of 224

•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
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 the 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 LOCK, then remove the
key.
When the key is in the ignition and in the OFF position, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted
vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.
2. Using a screwdriver (or similar
tool), remove the protective cover
to the interlock access hole on the
console. Insert the key to release
the interlock.
3. Apply the parking brake, then shift to N (Neutral).
4. Start the vehicle.
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 toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
2005 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
110

Page:   < prev 1-10 ... 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 101-110 111-120 121-130 131-140 141-150 ... 230 next >