2012 FORD FIESTA Owners Manual

The AdvanceTracsystem includes a stability control light and a stability
control off light in the instrument cluster. Both the stability control light
and the stability control off light in the instrument cluster will illuminate
temporarily during start-up as part of a system self-check. The stability
control light may illuminate during certain driving situations which may
cause the AdvanceTracsystem to operate. If the stability control light
illuminates steadily, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately.
When AdvanceTracperforms a normal system self-check, some drivers
may notice a slight movement of the brake, and/or a rumble, grunting, or
grinding noise after startup and when driving off.
When an event occurs that activates AdvanceTrac, you may experience
the following:
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The stability control light will flash.
•A vibration in the pedal when your foot is on the brake pedal
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal may move as the systems applies higher brake forces. You
may also hear a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during
this severe condition.
•The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.
Traction control system (TCS)
Traction control is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle maintain
traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem, engine traction control and brake traction
control. Engine traction control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing engine power. Brake traction control works to limit
wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction control is most active at low speeds.
During TCS events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
If the TCS is activated excessively in a short period of time, the braking
portion of the system may become temporarily disabled to allow the
brakes to cool down. In this situation, TCS will use only engine power
reduction or transfer to help control the wheels from over-spinning.
When the brakes have cooled down, the system will regain all features.
Driving
241
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Anti-lock braking, and ESC are not affected by this condition and will
continue to function during the cool-down period.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Electronic stability control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to
one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine
power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide
laterally.
During ESC events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the ESC system, which
include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
Switching off AdvanceTrac/traction control
If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off certain features of the AdvanceTracsystem may be
beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This will restore full
engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
To disable the traction control system, do the following on the
multifunction display:
1. Select Menu
2. Select Vehicle Settings
3. Select Traction Control
4. Select TCS OFF or uncheck
5. Select OK
SeeMultifunction displayin theInstrument Clustersection for more
information.
Driving
242
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

AdvanceTracFeatures
TCS switch
in
multi-function
displayStability
control
light
Stability
control off
light
ESC TCS
Default at
start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled
De-select TCSNot
illuminatedIlluminated
solidEnabled Disabled
Select TCS
again after
deactivationNot
illuminatedNot
illuminatedEnabled Enabled
Full features of the AdvanceTracsystem can be restored by selecting
TCS again or by turning off and restarting the engine.
If you switch off traction control, the traction control system will be
de-activated in the multi-function display and the stability control off
light will illuminate steadily. Selecting the AdvanceTracsystem again
will turn off the stability control off light.
In R (Reverse), ABS and the engine and brake traction control features
will continue to function; however, ESC is disabled.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.
There is no fluid reservoir to check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while you are driving (or if the
ignition is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes
more effort. Under extreme usage conditions, the steering effort may
increase. This occurs to prevent overheating and permanent damage to
your steering system. If this should occur, you will neither lose the ability
to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause permanent damage.
Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the system to cool and
steering assist will return to normal.
The EPS system has diagnostic checks that continuously monitor the
EPS system to ensure proper operation. When a system error is
detected, the following message STEERING MALFUNCTION SERVICE
NOW, STEERING MALFUNCTION STOP SAFELY, POWER STEERING
MALFUNCTION SERVICE NOW, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT
Driving
243
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

may display in the multifunction display. Refer to theMessage centerin
theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information.
WARNING:The EPS has diagnostics checks that continuously
monitor the EPS to ensure proper operation of the electronic
system. When an electronic error is detected, the message POWER
STEERING ASSIST FAULT will be displayed in the message center. If
this happens, stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the engine.
After at least 10 seconds, reset the system by restarting the engine,
and watch the message center for POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT.
If the message returns, or returns while driving, take the vehicle to
your dealer to have it checked. With the message displayed, the
steering assist is turned off, making the vehicle harder to steer.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire.
•uneven tire wear.
•loose or worn suspension components.
•loose or worn steering components.
•improper steering alignment.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At lower speeds the assist
is increased to improve maneuverability.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving at a constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system
checked by your authorized dealer.
BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless the brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal pressed, it is possible that a fuse has
blown or the vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
Driving
244
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

If the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps are working properly, the
following procedure will allow you to move the gearshift lever from P
(Park):
1. Apply the parking brake, turn the
ignition key to the off position and
remove the key.
2. Using a screwdriver (or similar
tool), carefully pry off and remove
the passenger side console cover to
expose the inside of the shifter
assembly.
3. Locate the brake shift interlock
lever on the passenger side of the
shifter assembly.
4. Apply the brake pedal. Using a
screwdriver (or similar tool), press
and hold the brake shift interlock
lever forward below the metal blade
while pulling the gearshift lever out
of the P (Park) position and into
the N (Neutral) position.
5. Install the console cover.
6. Apply the brake pedal, start the vehicle and release the parking brake.
See your authorized dealer as soon as possible if this procedure
is used.
WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brake lamps are working.
WARNING:When doing this procedure, you will be taking the
vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully set the parking brake
prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
Driving
245
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 6–speed automatic
transmission (if equipped)
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Press the brake pedal.
•Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear.
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop.
•Move the gearshift lever and
securely latch it in P (Park).
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
Note:The automatic transmission performs a series of automated checks
when the ignition is turned to the off position. A slight clicking sound
may be heard and is considered a normal part of operation.
WARNING:Do not apply the brake pedal and accelerator pedal
simultaneously. Applying both pedals simultaneously for more
than three seconds will limit engine rpm, which may result in difficulty
maintaining speed in traffic and could lead to serious injury.
Driving
246
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
D (Drive)
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through six.
D (Drive) with Overdrive Cancel/Grade Assist
Pressing the transmission control
switch on the side of the gearshift
lever activates overdrive cancel and
grade assist.
Overdrive cancel/grade assist
•Overdrive is deactivated.
•The transmission operates in gears one through five.
•The grade assist lamp in the
instrument cluster is illuminated.
•Improves driving experience in hilly terrain or mountainous areas by
providing additional grade (engine) braking and extends lower gear
operation on uphill climbs.
Driving
247
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Provides additional engine braking through the automatic transmission
shift strategy which reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle acceleration,
accelerator pedal, brake pedal and vehicle speed).
•Allows the transmission to select gears that will provide the desired
engine braking based on the vehicle inputs mentioned above. This will
increase engine RPM during engine braking.
Overdrive cancel with grade assist is designed to provide optimal gear
selection in hilly terrain or mountainous areas. It is recommended that
you return to D (Drive) on flat terrain to provide the best fuel economy
and transmission function.
To return to D (Drive), press the transmission control switch again.
•The grade assist lamp in the instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
•The transmission will operate in gears one through five.
L (Low)
This position:
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Will downshift to the lowest available gear for the current vehicle
speed; allows for first gear when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
•Is not intended for use under extended or normal driving conditions
and results in lower fuel economy.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Driving
248
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)