engine overheat FORD FOCUS 2014 3.G Owners Manual

GAUGES
A. Information display. SeeInformation Displaysfor more information.
B. Speedometer
C. Engine coolant temperature gauge
D. Fuel gauge
E. Tachometer
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Shows the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will remain in the center section. If the needle
enters the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the engine, switch
the ignition off and determine the cause once the engine has cooled down.
Note:Do not restart the engine until the cause of overheating has been
resolved.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
0 20406080
10 0
12 0
14 0
10 012 0
14 0
16 0
18 0
0 20 406080
200
220
240
Instrument Cluster103
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)

If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mud or Snow
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (IF EQUIPPED)
Using the Clutch
Manual transmission vehicles have a starter interlock that prevents
starting the engine unless the clutch pedal is fully pressed.
To start the vehicle:
1. Make sure the parking brake is fully set.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor, then put the
gearshift lever in the neutral position.
3. Start the engine.
4. Press the brake pedal and move the gearshift
lever to the desired gear; position 1 or position R.
5. Release the parking brake, then slowly release
the clutch pedal while slowly pressing on the
accelerator.
During each shift, the clutch pedal must be fully pressed to the floor.
Make sure the floor mat is properly positioned so it does not interfere
with the full extension of the clutch pedal.
Note:Failure to fully press the clutch pedal to the floor may cause
increased shift efforts, prematurely wear transmission components or
damage the transmission.
Note:Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use the
clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a hill.
These actions will reduce the life of the clutch and could nullify a clutch
warranty claim.
135
24R
Transmission167
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)

Adding Engine Coolant
WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
WARNING:Do not add coolant further than the MAX mark.
Note:Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling system sealants or additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling and/or heating systems.
This damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
Note:During normal vehicle operation, the engine coolant may change
color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine
coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be
drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.
•DO NOT MIX different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle.
Make sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may
harm your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant
may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the
warranty.
•In case of emergency, a large amount of water without engine coolant
may be added in order to reach a vehicle service location. In this
instance, the cooling system must be drained, chemically cleaned with
Motorcraft Premium Cooling System Flush, and refilled with engine
coolant as soon as possible. Water alone (without engine coolant) can
cause engine damage from corrosion, overheating or freezing.
236Maintenance
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)

•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed with
alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol and other liquids can
cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
•
Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These can be
harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine coolant.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure will escape as you unscrew the cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant meeting the Ford specification. See
Capacities and Specificationsfor more information.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle.
If necessary, add enough prediluted engine coolant to bring the coolant
level to the proper level.
Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company does not recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•It may be necessary to have a Ford authorized dealer increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
•A coolant concentration of 60% will provide improved freeze point
protection. Engine coolant concentrations above 60% will decrease the
overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may
cause engine damage.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It may be necessary to have a Ford authorized dealer decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.
•A coolant concentration of 40% will provide improved overheat
protection. Engine coolant concentrations below 40% will decrease the
corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant
and may cause engine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use prediluted
engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
Maintenance237
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)

Powertrain Limiting and Protection
Note:Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem increases
the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
The engine control module (ECU) is equipped with a feature called
powertrain limiting and protection (PTLP). PTLP will help protect the
engine from damage in case the engine is overheating (coolant and/or
oil temperature too hot). PTLP will automatically intervene during
normal engine operation should it determine the engine coolant and/or
oil temperatures are too hot. It does this by gradually reducing the
maximum allowable engine rpm until the engine has cooled sufficiently.
PTLP will automatically reinstate normal engine operation if it
determines the engine temperatures have cooled sufficiently.
During an engine overheating condition, the instrument cluster will display
a message and a chime will sound. The engine may also have temporarily
reduced power and reduced rpm limit during an overheating condition.
Operating the engine with high engine coolant temperature (coolant
gauge indicator is red) may cause powertrain damage. Stop the vehicle
as soon as safely possible and let the engine cool off while idling.
TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECK
Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid
Note:Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, added by
an authorized dealer.
The automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
See yourScheduled Maintenance Informationfor scheduled intervals
for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, (i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly) or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
Checking and Adding Manual Transmission Fluid (If Equipped)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and inspect the fluid level.
3. Fluid level should be at the bottom of the opening.
238Maintenance
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)

Ford strongly recommends using only genuine Ford, Motorcraft or
Ford-authorized remanufactured replacement parts because they are
engineered for your vehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
Ford Motor Company recommended additives and chemicals are listed in
this book and in theWorkshop Manual.Additional chemicals or
additives not approved by Ford Motor Company are not recommended as
part of normal maintenance. Please consult your warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and/or foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
every month or at six month intervals.
Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure.
Windshield washer fluid level.
Check every six months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary.
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if
necessary.
Scheduled Maintenance469
2014 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2012
USA(fus)