2008 FORD FOCUS check engine light

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The “Service Engine Soon” indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
226

Refueling
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause severe
injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others:
•Read and follow all the instructions on the pump island;
•Turn off your engine when you are refueling;
•Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle;
•Keep sparks, flames and smoking materials away from fuel;
•Stay outside your vehicle and do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling your vehicle — this is against the law in some places;
•
Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.
Use the following guidelines to avoid electrostatic charge build-up when
filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/4 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2.
Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of a turn until at least one click is
heard.
If the check fuel cap light
or a “check fuel cap” message comes on,
the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. The light or message can
come on after several driving events after you’ve refueled your vehicle.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
229

At the next opportunity, safely pull off of the road, remove the fuel filler
cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it. The check fuel cap
light
or “check fuel cap” message may not reset immediately; it may
take several driving cycles for the check fuel cap light
or “check fuel
cap” message to turn off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up
(after four or more hours with the engine off) followed by city and
highway driving.
Continuing to drive with the check fuel cap light
or “check fuel cap”
message on may cause the
light to turn on as well.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford, Motorcraft or other certified fuel filler cap
is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive vacuum in
the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause the fuel cap
to disengage in a collision, which may result in personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum
of 10% ethanol. Your vehicle was not designed to run on E85 fuels that
are blended with a maximum of 85% ethanol. The use of leaded fuel is
prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system components.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
230

A
Air cleaner filter ...............241–243
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................32
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ....................96–97, 105, 107
and child safety seats ..............98
description ................97, 105, 107
disposal ....................................111
driver airbag ..............99, 106, 109
indicator light .................105, 110
operation ...................99, 106, 109
passenger airbag .......99, 106, 109
side airbag ...............................105
Ambient mood/lighting ...............38
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................221
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................155–156
Anti-theft system ..................71, 73
arming the system ....................73
disarming a triggered
system .......................................74
triggering ...................................74
Audio system (see Radio) .........17
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................239
fluid, checking ........................239
fluid, specification ..................244
Automatic transmission ............159
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................160
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....25
Axle
refill capacities ........................244B
Battery .......................................219
acid, treating emergencies .....219
jumping a disabled battery ....190
maintenance-free ....................219
replacement, specifications ...243
servicing ..................................219
Belt-Minder...............................92
Booster seats .............................112
Brakes ........................................155
anti-lock ...........................155–156
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............156
fluid, checking and adding ....239
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specifications .................244
lubricant specifications ..........244
parking ....................................156
shift interlock ..........................159
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................39
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....244
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............112
child safety belts ....................112
Child safety seats ......................115
attaching with tether
straps .......................................121
in front seat ....................116, 119
in rear seat ......................116, 119
LATCH .....................................123
Child safety seats -
booster seats .............................112
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............207
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
251

daytime running light ...............36
fog lamps ...................................35
headlamps .................................35
headlamps, flash to pass ..........36
instrument panel, dimming .....36
interior lamps .....................38, 40
replacing bulbs .........................40
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................38
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........156
Load limits .................................144
Locks
autolock .....................................62
childproof ..................................65
doors ..........................................62
Lubricant specifications ...........244
Lug nuts ....................................189
M
Manual transaxle
lubricant specifications ..........244
Manual transmission .................163
fluid capacities ........................244
reverse .....................................164
Message center ...........................55
english/metric button ...............58
system check button ................58
warning messages .....................59
Mirrors ...................................47–48
automatic dimming
rearview mirror .........................48
heated ........................................49
side view mirrors (power) .......48
Moon roof ....................................53
Motorcraft parts ........211, 227, 243
O
Octane rating ............................231Oil (see Engine oil) ..................217
P
Parking brake ............................156
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....243
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................83
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................172
Power door locks ........................62
Power mirrors .............................48
Power point .................................45
Power steering ..........................158
fluid, checking and adding ....238
fluid, refill capacity ................244
fluid, specifications .................244
Power Windows ...........................46
R
Radio ............................................17
Relays ........................................169
Remote entry system .................67
locking/unlocking
doors ..............................62, 67–68
opening the trunk .....................69
panic alarm ...............................69
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................70
replacing the batteries .............69
Roadside assistance ..................166
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............91
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ............82, 85–90
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
254