These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
Introduction
10
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Low fuel:Displays when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty (refer toFuel gaugein this
chapter).
Powertrain malfunction/Reduced
power/Electronic throttle
control:Displays when the engine
has defaulted to a “limp-home”
operation or when a transmission problem has been detected and shifting
may be restricted. If the light remains on, have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the ignition is turned to the on position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or
by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
position.
If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek
service immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer. Driving extended
distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and
the risk of personal injury.
Instrument Cluster
13
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Reasons given... Consider...
“I have an airbag” Airbags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown clear” Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN’T “PICK OUR
CRASH”.
WARNING:Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt or insert a
latchplate into the buckle to avoid the Belt-Minderchime. To
do so may adversely affect the performance of the vehicle’s airbag
system.
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minderfeature (if equipped)
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderare
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.
Read Steps1-4thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
Note:The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderfeatures must be
disabled/enabled separately. Both cannot be disable/enabled during the
same key cycle.
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderfeatures can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•The parking brake is set
•The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) and in neutral
(manual transmission)
•The ignition is off
•The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled
Seating and Safety Restraints
166
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Before you tow your vehicle, follow these directions for your specific
vehicle configurationafterit is hooked-up to the RV or tow dolly:
Vehicles with a manual transmission
1. Release the parking brake.
2. Move the gearshift to the neutral position.
•The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).
•There is no limitation on towing distance.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission but no push button start
system
Note:Theremustbe battery power to properly move the transmission’s
internal components to N (Neutral) in Step 3. Also, moving the gearshift
to the N (Neutral) position without first turning the ignition to the on
(II) position limits the towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and
50 miles (80 km).
1. Release the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to the on (II) position.
3. Press the brake pedal, then move the gearshift to the N (Neutral)
position.
4. Wait for TRANSMISSION READY to appear in the multi-function
display, then turn the ignition to the off (0) position and release the
brake pedal.
5. Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. (The
anti-theft system is disabled until the battery cable is reconnected.)
Refer toBatteryin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter
when disconnecting and reconnecting the battery cable.
•The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).
•There is no limitation on towing distance.
When done towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting
the battery cable. When reconnecting that cable, tighten it until it’s snug
against the terminal; be careful not to overtighten.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
228
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Vehicles with an automatic transmission and push button start
system
Note:Theremustbe battery power to properly move the transmission’s
internal components to N (Neutral) in Step 3. Also, moving the gearshift
to the N (Neutral) position without first turning the ignition to the on
(II) position limits the towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and
50 miles (80 km).
1. Release the parking brake.
2. Activate the ignition by pressing the START/STOP button, butnot
applying the brake pedal.
3. Press the brake pedal, then move the gearshift to the N (Neutral)
position. Release the brake pedal.
4. Wait for TRANSMISSION READY to appear in the multi-function
display, then deactivate the ignition by pressing the START/STOP
button.
5. Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. (The door
key [inside the Intelligent Access Key] is needed to lock/unlock doors
when the battery cable is disconnected. Also, the anti-theft system is
disabled until the battery cable is reconnected.) Refer toBatteryin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter when disconnecting
and reconnecting the battery cable.
•The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).
•There is no limitation on towing distance.
When done towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting
the battery cable. When reconnecting that cable, tighten it until it’s snug
against the terminal; be careful not to overtighten.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
229
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
12
Driving
231
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Press the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to II (on) without
turning the key to III (start).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
Driving
232
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Starting the engine
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a push button start system, refer
toPush button start systemin this section for starting.
1. Turn the key to II (on) without
turning the key to III (start).
2. Turn the key to III (start), then
release the key as soon as the
engine begins cranking. Your vehicle
has a computer assisted cranking
system that assists in starting the
engine. After releasing the key from
the III (start) position, the engine may continue cranking for up to
10 seconds or until the vehicle starts.
Note:Cranking may be stopped at any time by turning the key to the off
position.
3. After idling for a few seconds, release the parking brake, apply the
brake, shift into gear and drive.
Note:If the engine does not start on the first try, turn the vehicle to the
off position, wait 10 seconds and try Step 2 again. If the engine still fails
to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try Step 2 again, keeping
the accelerator on the floor until the engine begins to accelerate above
cranking speeds; this will allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off
in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Push button start system (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the
push button start system, you can
start your vehicle by pressing the
start button in combination with the
brake pedal (automatic
transmission) or clutch pedal
(manual transmission) rather than
using a key. The start button is
located on the instrument panel to the right of the steering wheel.
In order to operate the push button start system and start the vehicle,
your intelligent access key (IA key) must be present inside the vehicle.
Ignition modes
1. Off — press and release the START/STOP button without applying the
brake pedal (automatic transmission) or clutch pedal (manual transmission)
when your vehicle is in on mode or when the engine is running.
START
STOP ENGINE
Driving
233
2012 Fiesta(fie)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)