
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or the neutral
position (manual transaxle), turn off all accessories and start the engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must learn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will fully update transmission operation to its optimum shift feel.
2004 Focus(foc)
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Maintenance and Specifications
174

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 30 km (20 miles) 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.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10°C (50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66°C-77°C
[150°F-170°F]).
2004 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
192

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..............................89–90, 93and child safety seats ..............91
description ..........................90, 93
disposal ......................................95
driver air bag ......................91, 94
indicator light ...........................93
operation .............................91, 94
passenger air bag ...............91, 94
side air bag ................................93
Air cleaner filter .......................207
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................175
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................111
Anti-theft system ........................70 arming the system ....................70
disarming a triggered system ..70
Automatic transaxle fluid, adding ............................191
fluid, checking ........................191
fluid, specification ..................212
Automatic transmission ............114 driving an automatic
overdrive .................................115
fluid, refill capacities ..............208
Auxiliary power point .................52
Axle lubricant specifications ..........210
refill capacities ........................208
B
Battery .......................................173 acid, treating emergencies .....173
jumping a disabled battery ....139
maintenance-free ....................173
replacement, specifications ...207 servicing ..................................173
BeltMinder ...................................84
Brakes ........................................111 anti-lock ...................................111
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................112
fluid, checking and adding ....190
fluid, refill capacities ..............208
fluid, specifications .........210, 212
lubricant specifications ..210, 212
parking ....................................112
shift interlock ..........................114
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....208
Cargo cover .................................59
Cell phone use ............................58
Certification Label ....................215
Child safety restraints ................96 child safety belts ......................96
Child safety seats ........................99 attaching with tether straps ..103
in front seat ............................100
in rear seat ..............................100
LATCH .....................................105
Cigar lighter Power Point ..............................52
Cleaning your vehicle engine compartment ..............158
instrument panel ....................161
interior .....................................162
plastic parts ............................161
washing ....................................157
waxing .....................................157
wheels ......................................158
wiper blades ............................161
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......34–35
2004 Focus (foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
Index
222

M
Manual transaxlelubricant specifications ..........212
Manual transmission .................117 fluid capacities ........................208
reverse .....................................118
Mirrors .........................................53 side view mirrors (power) .......53
Moon roof ....................................57
Motorcraft parts ................184, 207
O
Octane rating ............................183
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................169
P
Parking brake ............................112
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....207
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................132
Power Point Cigar lighter ..............................52
Power steering ..........................113 fluid, checking and adding ....190
fluid, refill capacity ................208
fluid, specifications .........210, 212
Power Windows ...........................52
R
Rear window defroster ...............37
Relays ........................................128
Remote entry system .................64 locking/unlocking doors ...........61
opening the trunk .....................65 Roadside assistance ..................126
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............88
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................76, 79
–83
Safety defects, reporting ..........156
Safety restraints ..............76, 79 –83
belt minder ...............................84
extension assembly ..................88
for adults .............................80 –82
for children .........................95 –96
safety belt maintenance ...........88
warning light and chime ..........84
Safety seats for children ............99
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............76
Seats ............................................71
child safety seats ......................99
Servicing your vehicle ..............164
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........136
Spark plugs, specifications ......207,
212
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................210, 212
Speed control ..............................54
Starting your
vehicle ........................107 –108, 110
jump starting ..........................139
Steering wheel tilting .........................................51
Sunroof (moonroof) ...................57
2004 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
225