2008 FORD FUSION (AMERICAS) brake light

Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the engine or transmission is submerged in water, their fluids should
be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the engine or
transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
209

Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-highway usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
211

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
12 7.5A Delay accessories: Radio head units,
Moon roof, Lock switch illumination,
Electrochromatic mirrors, Ambient
lighting
13 7.5A Cluster, Analog clock, Climate control
head units
14 15A Washer pump
15 20A Cigar lighter
16 15A Door lock actuator, Decklid lock
solenoid
17 20A Subwoofer
18 20A Radio head units, OBDII connector
19 7.5A Not used (Spare)
20 7.5A Power mirrors, Satellite radio
module, All wheel drive
21 7.5A Stop lamps, CHMSL
22 7.5A Audio
23 7.5A Wiper relay coil, Cluster logic
24 7.5A OCS (Passenger’s seat), PAD
indicator
25 7.5A RCM
26 7.5A PATS Transceiver, Brake shift
interlock solenoid, Brake pedal
switch, Automatic transmission relay
coil, Reverse switch (back-up lamps
for manual transmission)
27 7.5A Cluster, Climate control head units
28 10A ABS/Traction Control, Heated seats,
Compass, Reverse sensing system
C/B 30A Circuit
BreakerMoon roof power, Delayed accessory
(SJB fuse 12, power window)
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
217

CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare tire is in use. To restore the full functionality
of the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensors, refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare
tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
The use of tire sealants may damage your Tire Pressure
Monitoring System and should not be used.
Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for important information. If
the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer
function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
221

A
Accessory delay ..........................74
Air cleaner filter ...............284–286
Air conditioning ....................48, 50
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................135, 144, 147
and child safety seats ............137
description ..............135, 144, 147
disposal ....................................150
driver airbag ............137, 145, 148
indicator light .........144, 146, 149
operation .................137, 145, 148
passenger airbag .....137, 145, 148
side airbag ...............................144
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................206
Ambient mood/lighting ...............59
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................261
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................193–194
Anti-theft system ..............109, 112
arming the system ..................112
disarming a triggered
system .....................................113
triggering .................................113
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................17, 21, 29
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................279
fluid, checking ........................279
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................199–200
fluid, adding ....................281, 284
fluid, checking ................281, 284
fluid, refill capacities ..............288fluid, specification ..................288
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....37
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........288
B
Battery .......................................259
acid, treating emergencies .....259
jumping a disabled battery ....227
maintenance-free ....................259
replacement, specifications ...286
servicing ..................................259
Belt-Minder.............................130
Booster seats .............................151
Brakes ........................................193
anti-lock ...........................193–194
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................194
fluid, checking and adding ....279
fluid, refill capacities ..............288
fluid, specifications .................288
lubricant specifications ..........288
parking ....................................194
shift interlock ..........................197
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................59
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....288
Cassette tape player ...................21
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................221
Child safety restraints ..............151
child safety belts ....................151
Child safety seats ......................154
attaching with tether straps ..158
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
296

lighting up panel and
interior .......................................56
J
Jack ............................................221
positioning ...............................221
storage .....................................221
Jump-starting your vehicle ......227
K
Keyless entry system ...............107
autolock .....................................96
keypad .....................................107
locking and unlocking doors ..108
programming entry code .......107
Keys .....................................93, 110
positions of the ignition .........188
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................54
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................59
daytime running light ...............55
fog lamps ...................................55
headlamps .................................54
headlamps, flash to pass ..........56
instrument panel, dimming .....56
interior lamps ...........................58
replacing bulbs .........................60
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................58
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........194
Load limits .................................181
Locks
autolock .....................................96childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................95
Lubricant specifications ...........288
Lug nuts ....................................226
Lumbar support, seats .............115
M
Manual transmission .................202
fluid capacities ........................288
lubricant specifications ..........288
reverse .....................................203
Message center ...........................83
english/metric button ...............88
system check button ................87
warning messages .....................89
Mirrors ...................................75–76
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................75
heated ........................................76
side view mirrors (power) .......76
Moon roof ....................................81
Motorcraft parts ........247, 267, 286
N
Navigation system .......................45
O
Octane rating ............................271
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................254
P
Parking brake ............................194
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....286
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................122
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
299

Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....177
Tires ...........................162–163, 221
alignment ................................170
care ..........................................166
changing ..................................221
checking the pressure ............166
inflating ...................................164
label .........................................176
replacing ..................................168
rotating ....................................170
safety practices .......................169
sidewall information ...............171
snow tires and chains ............181
spare tire .................................221
terminology .............................163
tire grades ...............................163
treadwear ........................162, 167
Towing .......................................186
recreational towing .................186
trailer towing ..........................186
wrecker ....................................232
Traction control ........................195
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................279
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................284
Transmission .............................197brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....197
fluid, refill capacities ..............288
lubricant specifications ..........288
manual operation ....................202
Trunk .........................................100
remote release ..................92, 104
Turn signal ..................................58
U
USB port ......................................38
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................292
Vehicle loading ..........................181
Ventilating your vehicle ...........191
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................253
Water, Driving through .............211
Windows
power .........................................73
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................69
checking and adding fluid .....253
replacing wiper blades ...........253
Wrecker towing .........................232
2008 Fusion(fsn)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
301