2008 FORD FOCUS heat

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)
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Maintenance and Specifications
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If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of theService engine soon
indicator, charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal also lists engine displacement.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When theService
engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected
a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause theService engine
soon
indicator to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run poorly.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
236

6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperatures
120°F-140°F (50°C-60°C) on a level surface. The normal operating
temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of
driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (120°F-140°F
[50°C-60°C]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transaxle failure. An
overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiessection in this
chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transaxle component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250 mL) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
240

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

instrument panel ....................209
interior .....................................209
plastic parts ............................208
washing ....................................205
waxing .....................................206
wheels ......................................206
wiper blades ............................208
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............32
Clutch
fluid ..........................................239
operation while driving ..........163
recommended shift speeds ....164
Console ........................................45
Controls
steering column ........................52
Coolant
checking and adding ..............221
refill capacities ................224, 244
specifications ..........................244
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................49
Customer Assistance ................166
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................201
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............202
Getting roadside assistance ...166
Getting the service you
need .........................................197
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................203
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............201
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................36Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................239
engine oil .................................217
Driving under special
conditions ..................................162
through water .........................165
E
Electronic message center .........55
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................190
Emergency Flashers .................168
Emission control system ..........235
Engine ........................................246
cleaning ...................................207
coolant .....................................221
fail-safe cooling .......................225
idle speed control ...................219
lubrication specifications .......244
refill capacities ........................244
service points ..........................215
starting after a collision .........168
Engine block heater .................153
Engine fan .................................215
Engine oil ..................................217
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................217
checking and adding ..............217
dipstick ....................................217
filter, specifications ........218, 243
recommendations ...................218
refill capacities ........................244
specifications ..........................244
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................153
F
Fail safe cooling ........................225
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
252

Fan, Engine Cooling .........212, 215
Floor mats ...................................61
Fluid capacities .........................244
Foglamps .....................................35
Fuel ............................................227
calculating fuel
economy ............................56, 232
cap ...........................................229
capacity ...................................244
choosing the right fuel ...........230
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy estimates .........235
detergent in fuel .....................232
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................227, 229, 232
filter, specifications ........227, 243
fuel pump shut-off switch .....168
improving fuel economy ........232
octane rating ...................231, 246
quality ......................................231
running out of fuel .................232
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................227
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......168
Fuses ..........................................169
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............229
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................232
Gauges .........................................15
H
Hazard flashers .........................168
Head restraints ...........................75
Headlamps ...................................35
aiming ........................................37bulb specifications ....................39
daytime running lights .............36
flash to pass ..............................36
high beam .................................35
replacing bulbs .........................40
turning on and off ....................35
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................32
Hood ..........................................213
I
Ignition ...............................150, 246
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................115
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................237
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................209
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................36
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......190
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................62
Keys .............................................72
positions of the ignition .........150
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................39
2008 Focus(foc)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
253

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

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