2006 FORD FOCUS automatic transmission

KEYS
The key operates all locks on your vehicle. You should always carry a
second key with you in a safe place in case you require it in an
emergency.
Your keys are coded to your vehicle; using a non-coded key will not
permit your vehicle to start. If you lose your dealer supplied keys,
replacement keys are available through your authorized dealer.
POWER DOOR LOCKS (IF EQUIPPED)
The power door lock controls are
located on the driver and front
passenger door panels.
Pressing the
will unlock all the
doors. Pressing the
will lock all
the doors.
The power door lock controls are
disabled 20 seconds after the
ignition is turned to the 2 (OFF) position.
Autolock (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the autolock
feature will lock the vehicle’s doors when:
•all the doors are closed,
•the ignition is in the 3 (ON) or 4 (START) position,
•with the brake pedal depressed, you shift into forward or reverse,
•you release the brake pedal, and
•the vehicle speed is greater than 4 mph (7 km/h).
Relock
The autolock feature repeats when:
•any door is opened then closed while the ignition is in the 3 (ON)
position, and
•with the brake pedal depressed, you shift into forward or reverse,
•you release the brake pedal, and
•the vehicle speed is greater than 4 mph (7 km/h).
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
52

One time disable
If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles
the safety belt for that seating position, the BeltMinder
is disabled for
the current ignition cycle. The BeltMinder
feature will enable during
the same ignition cycle if the occupant buckles and remains buckled for
approximately 30 seconds. Confirmation is not given for the one time
disable.
Deactivating/activating the BeltMinderfeature
The driver and front passenger BeltMinder
are
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.
Read Steps1-4thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
Note: The driver and front passenger BeltMinder
features must be
disabled/enabled separately. Both cannot be disable/enabled during the
same key cycle.
The driver and front passenger BeltMinder
features can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•The parking brake is set
•The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
•The ignition switch is in the OFF position
•The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled
To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the
BeltMinder
feature while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT
START THE ENGINE)
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off. (Approximately 1
minute)
•Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt
warning light turns off.
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
81

Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transaxle cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transaxle damage may occur.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
127

RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles:
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, you cannot tow
the vehicle with the front drive wheels on the ground. It is recommended
to tow your vehicle with the drive wheels on a dolly or two wheel car
hauling trailer.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following
conditions:
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transaxle, and in the case of a
roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access to wheel
dollies, car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your vehicle can
be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
•Maximum distance is unlimited.
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
128

The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the handle up slightly,
then push the handle down.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control
system. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads
and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction in these conditions.
During Traction Control
operation,
the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric
motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the
engine will not “rev-up” when you push further on the accelerator. This
is normal system behavior and should be no reason for concern.
At speeds below 53 mph (85 km/h), both the engine and the brake
system will be used to control wheel spin; at speeds above 53 mph (85
km/h), only engine torque reduction is used. When the Traction
Control
system is switched off, the braking system will still be used to
control wheel spin at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
P!
BRAKE
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
134

The Traction Control
switch is
located on the center console, by
the gearshift lever. The Traction
Control
system will automatically
turn on every time the ignition is
turned off and on.
If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction
Control
system off by pressing the switch. This may allow excess wheel
spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful “rocking” maneuver.
If you want to turn off the Traction Control
system be aware that, for
safety reasons, the switch must be pressed and held for at least one
second before the system is turned off. To re-engage the Traction
Control
system, the button must again be held for at least one second.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Control
button will not turn the system on or
off and your vehicle should be serviced by an authorized dealer.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump reservoir
fluid level (below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless the brake pedal is depressed.
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
135

If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
When the key is in the ignition and in the OFF position, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted
vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.
2. Using a screwdriver (or similar
tool), remove the protective cover
to the interlock access hole on the
console. Insert the key to release
the interlock.
3. Apply the parking brake, then shift to N (Neutral).
4. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
136

Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4–speed automatic
transaxle
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive Transmission Shift Strategy.
Adaptive Shift Strategy offers the optimal transmission operation and
shift quality. When the vehicle’s battery has been disconnected for any
type of service or repair, the transmission will need to relearn the normal
shift strategy parameters, much like having to reset your radio stations
when your vehicle battery has been disconnected. The Adaptive
Transmission Strategy allows the transmission to relearn these operating
parameters. This learning process could take several transmission
upshifts and downshifts; during this learning process, slightly firmer
shifts may occur. After this learning process, normal shift feel and shift
scheduling will resume.
P (Park)
This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
137