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•Theindicator may come on. For more information on the “Check
Engine” or the “Service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning lights
and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
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USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transaxles give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Spark plugs,
specifications .....................203, 208
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................207–208
Speed control ..............................44
Starting your vehicle ........129–131
jump starting ..........................157
Steering wheel
controls ......................................47
tilting .........................................40
Sunroof (moonroof) ...................47
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................25
Tilt steering wheel ......................40
Tires ...................................106–107
alignment ................................112
care ..........................................110
changing ..................................153
checking the pressure ............110
inspecting and inflating .........108
label .........................................119
replacing ..................................114
rotating ....................................113
safety practices .......................112
sidewall information ...............114
snow tires and chains ............120
spare tire .................................151
terminology .............................107
tire grades ...............................107
treadwear ........................106, 111
Towing .......................................125
recreational towing .................128
trailer towing ..........................125
wrecker ....................................162
Traction control ........................134Transaxle
lubricant specifications ..........208
Transmission
automatic operation ...............135
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....135
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................201
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................203
fluid, refill capacities ..............205
lubricant specifications ..........207
manual operation ....................139
Trunk ...........................................54
remote release ..........................58
Turn signal ..................................31
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................208
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................212
Vehicle loading ..........................121
Ventilating your vehicle ...........132
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................179
Water, Driving through .............141
Windows
power .........................................42
rear wiper/washer .....................39
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....179
operation ...................................39
replacing wiper blades ...........179
Wrecker towing .........................162
2006 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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