brakes FORD FUSION 2010 User Guide

When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have
to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore apply the brakes steadily. Do
not “pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
Note:Excessive tire slippage can cause transmission damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since
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your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
WARNING:If you are driving in slippery conditions that require
tire chains or cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously.
Keep speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of the vehicle
slides while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you
regain control of the vehicle.
Maintenance and modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-highway usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
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When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
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BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID
Brake and clutch (if equipped) systems are supplied from the same
reservoir.
•2.5L engine
•3.0L/3.5L engines
The fluid level will drop slowly as the brakes wear, and will rise when the
brake components are replaced. Fluid levels between the MIN and MAX
lines are within the normal operating range; there is no need to add
fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range, the
performance of the system could be compromised; seek service from
your authorized dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking 6-speed automatic transmission fluid (AWF21)
(if equipped)
Refer to 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.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and Specifications
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A
Accessory delay ..........................79
AdvanceTrac ..............................205
Air cleaner filter .......317–318, 320
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ....................47, 50
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................134, 143, 146
and child safety seats ............136
description ..............134, 143, 146
disposal ....................................149
driver airbag ....134, 136, 144, 147
indicator light .........142, 145, 148
operation .........134, 136, 144, 147
passenger airbag ....134, 136, 144,
147
side airbag ...............................143
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................229
Ambient mood/lighting ...............60
AM/FM .........................................28
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................289
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................203–204
Anti-theft system ..............101, 105
arming the system ..................105
disarming a triggered
system .....................................106
triggering .................................106
Audio system
6-CD in dash .............................28
Single CD ..................................28
Audio system (see Radio) .........28Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................212, 214
fluid, adding ....................310, 317
fluid, checking ................310, 317
fluid, refill capacities ..............321
fluid, specification ..................321
Selectshift (SST) ....................215
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....36
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........321
B
Battery .......................................287
acid, treating emergencies .....287
jumping a disabled battery ....253
maintenance-free ....................287
replacement, specifications ...320
servicing ..................................287
Belt-Minder.............................129
Blind Spot Information
System .......................................223
Booster seats .............................165
Brakes ........................................203
anti-lock ...........................203–204
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................204
fluid, checking and adding ....310
fluid, refill capacities ..............321
fluid, specifications .................321
lubricant specifications ..........321
parking ....................................204
shift interlock ..........................210
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................60
Index
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flash to pass ..............................57
high beam .................................57
replacing bulbs .........................62
turning on and off ....................55
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................47, 50
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................45
Hood ..........................................276
I
Ignition ...............................198, 325
Illuminated visor mirror .............73
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................154
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................308
Instrument panel ........................77
cleaning ...................................271
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................57
J
Jack ............................................246
positioning ...............................246
storage .....................................246
Jump-starting your vehicle ......253
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................89
keypad .....................................100
locking and unlocking doors ..101
programming entry code .......100Keys .....................................88, 103
positions of the ignition .........198
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................55
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................61
daytime running light ...............56
fog lamps ...................................56
headlamps .................................55
headlamps, flash to pass ..........57
instrument panel, dimming .....57
interior lamps .....................59, 62
replacing bulbs .........................62
LATCH anchors .........................160
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........204
Load limits .................................190
Locks
autolock .....................................89
childproof ..................................93
doors ..........................................89
Lubricant specifications ...........321
Lug nuts ....................................251
Lumbar support, seats .............110
M
Manual transmission .................217
fluid capacities ........................321
lubricant specifications ..........321
reverse .....................................218
Message center .....................18–19
english/metric button ...............23
system check button ................21
warning messages .....................24
Index
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