
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.
2004 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
106

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).
2004 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
108

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/RUN)
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
-23°C (-10°F) 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.
2004 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
110

5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of
both engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an
additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
Removing the jumper cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were
connected.
1. Remove the jumper cable from thegroundmetal surface.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
2004 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
144

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment,
the front wheels (drive wheels) must be placed on a dolly to prevent
damage to the transmission.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
2004 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
147

INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
air bags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Extra Strength
Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-41).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14).
•Never saturate the seat covers with cleaning solution.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the seat-mounted side air bag. Such products could contaminate
the side air bag system and affect performance of the side air bag in a
collision.
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the
leather.
•To clean, use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl
Cleaner (ZC-11–A). Dry the area with a soft cloth.
•To help maintain its resiliency and color, use the Motorcraft Deluxe
Leather Care Kit (ZC-11–D), available from your authorized dealer.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing of
the clear, protective coating.
Note:In some instances, color or dye transfer can occur when wet
clothing comes in contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs, the
leather should be cleaned immediately to avoid permanent staining.
UNDERBODY
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
2004 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Cleaning
162

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