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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 may reduce fuel economy at any speed.
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the
MIN/MAX or upper and lower lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this
range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN/MAX or upper and
lower lines. Be sure to put the cap back on the reservoir. Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter for
the proper fluid type.
BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID
Brake and clutch systems are supplied from the same reservoir.
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
TRANSAXLE FLUID
Checking 5–speed automatic transaxle fluid (If equipped)
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume
fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not
working properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
MAX
MIN
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
279
Page 298 of 304

starting after a collision .........214
Engine block heater .................191
Engine oil ..................................254
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................254
checking and adding ..............254
dipstick ....................................254
filter, specifications ........258, 286
recommendations ...................258
refill capacities ........................288
specifications ..........................288
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................191
F
Fail safe cooling ........................266
Fluid capacities .........................288
Foglamps .....................................55
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................206
Fuel ............................................267
calculating fuel
economy ............................84, 272
cap ...........................................269
capacity ...................................288
choosing the right fuel ...........270
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................275
detergent in fuel .....................272
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................267, 269, 272
filter, specifications ........267, 286
fuel pump shut-off switch .....214
improving fuel economy ........272
octane rating ...................271, 291
quality ......................................271
running out of fuel .................272
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................267Fuel pump shut-off switch .......214
Fuses ..........................................215
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............269
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................272
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................214
Head restraints .........................114
Headlamps ...................................54
aiming ........................................57
autolamp system .......................54
bulb specifications ....................59
daytime running lights .............55
flash to pass ..............................56
high beam .................................56
replacing bulbs .........................60
turning on and off ....................54
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................46, 48, 50
Hood ..........................................250
How to get going ........................17
I
Ignition ...............................188, 291
Illuminated visor mirror .............70
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................154
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................277
Instrument panel ........................72
cleaning ...................................245
cluster ........................................10
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
298