brakes FORD FUSION (AMERICAS) 2009 1.G 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.
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Owners Guide
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Driving
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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
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.
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).
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.
2009 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide
USA(fus)
Driving
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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 5–speed automatic transmission fluid (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.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
MAX
MIN
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USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
291

A
Accessory delay ..........................73
AdvanceTrac ..............................200
Air cleaner filter ...............295–297
Air conditioning ....................47, 49
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................135, 144, 147
and child safety seats ............137
description ..............135, 144, 147
disposal ....................................150
driver airbag ............137, 145, 148
indicator light .........144, 146, 149
operation .................137, 145, 148
passenger airbag .....137, 145, 148
side airbag ...............................144
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................215
Ambient mood/lighting ...............58
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................272
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................198–199
Anti-theft system ..............106, 110
arming the system ..................110
disarming a triggered
system .....................................111
triggering .................................111
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................17, 21, 29
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................291
fluid, checking ........................291
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................208–209
fluid, adding ....................293, 295
fluid, checking ................293, 295fluid, refill capacities ..............299
fluid, specification ..................299
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....37
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........299
B
Battery .......................................270
acid, treating emergencies .....270
jumping a disabled battery ....236
maintenance-free ....................270
replacement, specifications ...297
servicing ..................................270
Belt-Minder
.............................130
Booster seats .............................162
Brakes ........................................198
anti-lock ...........................198–199
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................199
fluid, checking and adding ....290
fluid, refill capacities ..............299
fluid, specifications .................299
lubricant specifications ..........299
parking ....................................199
shift interlock ..........................206
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................58
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....299
Cassette tape player ...................21
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................230
Child safety seats ......................154
attaching with tether straps ..160
in front seat ............................154
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Owners Guide
USA(fus)
Index
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Instrument panel ........................71
cleaning ...................................256
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................55
J
Jack ............................................230
positioning ...............................230
storage .....................................230
Jump-starting your vehicle ......236
K
Keyless entry system ...............105
autolock .....................................94
keypad .....................................105
locking and unlocking doors ..106
programming entry code .......105
Keys .....................................91, 108
positions of the ignition .........193
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................53
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................59
daytime running light ...............54
fog lamps ...................................54
headlamps .................................53
headlamps, flash to pass ..........55
instrument panel, dimming .....55
interior lamps ...........................57
replacing bulbs .........................60
LATCH anchors .........................157
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........199
Load limits .................................187Locks
autolock .....................................94
childproof ..................................97
doors ..........................................93
Lubricant specifications ...........299
Lug nuts ....................................235
Lumbar support, seats .............115
M
Manual transmission .................211
fluid capacities ........................299
lubricant specifications ..........299
reverse .....................................212
Message center .....................81–82
english/metric button ...............87
system check button ................86
warning messages .....................88
Mirrors ...................................74–75
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................74
heated ........................................75
side view mirrors (power) .......75
Moon roof ....................................80
Motorcraft parts ........259, 278, 297
N
Navigation system .......................44
O
Octane rating ............................282
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................265
P
Parking brake ............................199
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....297
2009 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide
USA(fus)
Index
310