If necessary, try turning the Traction Control™ system off. This will
allow the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck vehicle. For
more information, refer toTraction Control™in this chapter.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
The manual transaxle has a starter interlock that prevents cranking the
engine unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
To start the vehicle:
1. Make sure the parking brake is fully set.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor, then put the gearshift lever in the
neutral position.
3. Start the engine.
4. Press the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever to the desired
gear; 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
5. Release the parking brake, then slowly release the clutch pedal while
slowly pressing on the accelerator.
During each shift, the clutch pedal must be fully depressed to the floor.
Make sure the floor mat is properly positioned so it doesn’t interfere with
the full extension of the clutch pedal.
Failure to fully depress the clutch pedal to the floor may cause
increased shift efforts, prematurely wear transaxle components
or damage the transaxle.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use the
clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will reduce the life of the clutch.
135
24
R
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
163
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
