2008 FORD FOCUS towing

•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. Park on a level surface, set the
parking brake and activate the
hazard flashers.
2. Place the gearshift lever in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or R
(Reverse) (manual transmission) and turn the engine off.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
177

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.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
196

UTILIZING THE MEDIATION/ARBITRATION PROGRAM
(CANADA ONLY)
For vehicles delivered to authorized Canadian dealers. In those cases
where you continue to feel that the efforts by Ford of Canada and the
authorized dealer to resolve a factory-related vehicle service concern
have been unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in an impartial
third party mediation/arbitration program administered by the Canadian
Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).
The CAMVAP program is a straight-forward and relatively speedy
alternative to resolve a disagreement when all other efforts to produce a
settlement have failed. This procedure is without cost to you and is
designed to eliminate the need for lengthy and expensive legal
proceedings.
In the CAMVAP program, impartial third-party arbitrators conduct
hearings at mutually convenient times and places in an informal
environment. These impartial arbitrators review the positions of the
parties, make decisions and, when appropriate, render awards to resolve
disputes. CAMVAP decisions are fast, fair, and final as the arbitrator’s
award is binding both to you and Ford of Canada.
CAMVAP services are available in all territories and provinces. For more
information, without charge or obligation, call your CAMVAP Provincial
Administrator directly at 1-800-207-0685.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. It provides
the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating authorized dealer.
There are several plans available in various time, distance and deductible
combinations which can be tailored to fit your own driving needs. Ford
ESP also offers reimbursement benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 4,600 participating authorized dealers.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Customer Assistance
201

Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•
Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•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 the top gears 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 toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin 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.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
234

Safety Canopy ...........................105
Safety defects,
reporting ............................203–204
Safety restraints ..............82, 85–90
Belt-Minder.............................92
extension assembly ..................91
for adults .............................86–89
for children .....................111–112
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................83
safety belt maintenance ...........91
warning light and chime ....91–92
Safety seats for children ..........115
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................247
Satellite Radio Information ........29
Seats ............................................75
child safety seats ....................115
heated ........................................80
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system .........................71
Servicing your vehicle ..............212
Side air curtain .........................107
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................243, 246
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................244
Speed control ..............................49
Starting your vehicle .......150–151,
153
jump starting ..........................190
Steering wheel
controls ......................................52
tilting .........................................45
Sunroof (moonroof) ...................53
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................45Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and
Loading ....................................139
Tires ...................................125–126
alignment ................................133
care ..........................................129
changing ..................................178
checking the pressure ............129
inflating ...................................127
label .........................................139
replacing ..................................131
rotating ....................................133
safety practices .......................132
sidewall information ...............134
snow tires and chains ............144
spare tire .................................175
terminology .............................126
tire grades ...............................126
treadwear ........................125, 130
Towing .......................................149
recreational towing .................149
trailer towing ..........................149
wrecker ....................................196
Traction control ........................157
Transaxle
lubricant specifications ..........244
Transmission
automatic operation ...............159
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....159
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................239
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................241
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
manual operation ....................163
Trunk ...........................................65
remote release ..........................69
Turn signal ..................................38
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
255

U
USB port ......................................27
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................247
Vehicle loading ..........................144
Ventilating your vehicle ...........153
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10Washer fluid
..............................216
Water, Driving through
.............165
Windows
power
.........................................46
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................44
checking and adding fluid
.....216
replacing wiper blades
...........216
Wrecker towing
.........................196
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
256