2012 FORD FOCUS ignition

Vehicles with an automatic transmission and push button start
system:
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. Theremustbe battery power to properly move the
transmission’s internal components to N (Neutral). Also, moving the
gearshift to the N (Neutral) without first having the ignition on limits the
towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and 50 miles (80 km).
4. Deactivate the ignition by pressing the START/STOP button, butnot
applying the brake pedal.
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 the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter when disconnecting and
reconnecting the battery cable.
6. The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).
7. There is no limitation on towing distance.
8. 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.
Note:The vehicle must be towed in the forward position to ensure no
damage is done to the internal transmission components. In addition, it is
recommended that you follow the instructions provided by the
aftermarket manufacturer of the towing equipment, if provided.
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
If your vehicle is equipped with a push button start system, refer to
Push button start systemin this section for ignition modes.
1. 0 (off) — locks the automatic
transmission gearshift lever and
allows key removal. This position
also shuts the engine and all
electrical accessories off.Note:In
order to switch off the engine while
the vehicle is in motion, shift to
neutral and use the brakes to bring
the vehicle to a safe stop. After the vehicle has stopped, turn the engine
off and shift into park. Then, turn the key to the accessory or off
position.
2. I (accessory) — allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.
3. II (on) — all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated.
Key position when driving.
4. III (start) — cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
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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.Note:In order to switch off the engine while the vehicle is in
motion, press and hold the START/STOP button for at least one second,
or press the START/STOP button three times within two seconds. Then,
shift to neutral and use the brakes to bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
After the vehicle has stopped, turn the engine off and shift into park.
WARNING:Switching off the engine when the vehicle is still
moving will result in a loss of brake and steering assistance. The
steering will not be locked, but higher effort will be required. When the
ignition is switched off some electrical circuits, warning lights and
indicators may also be off.
2. On — press the START/STOP button without applying the brake pedal
(automatic transmission) or clutch pedal (manual transmission). This will
power your vehicle’s electrical system and the warning lights in the
instrument cluster will illuminate, but the engine will remain off.
3. Start — press the START/STOP button (for any length of time) while
applying the brake pedal (automatic transmission) or clutch pedal
(manual transmission).
There may be areas inside your vehicle where the IA key is not detected.
If the message KEY NOT DETECTED appears on your multifunction
display when you press the START/STOP button, it may be necessary to
move your IA key to another area within the vehicle. The IA key may not
be detected near the roof (between the driver or passenger sunvisor and
the roof, or in the overhead console area) or in the extreme corners of
the rear package tray, near your audio speakers. It is not recommended
that you stow the IA key in these locations. If you move the IA key to a
location where it has been detected before and you still see the KEY
NOT DETECTED message, your IA key’s battery may be low or you may
be in an area with excessive radio frequency interference. If this occurs,
you can use the backup method to start your vehicle (see below).
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Backup method of starting:Your
IA key uses a radio frequency signal
to communicate with your vehicle
and authorize your vehicle to start
when you press the START/STOP
button and apply the brake pedal or
clutch pedal. If excessive radio
frequency interference is present in
the area, or if the battery in your IA
key is low, it may be necessary to
start your car by holding the IA key
to the backup location near the steering column. After holding the IA
key to the backup location, use the START/STOP button and brake pedal
(automatic transmission) or clutch pedal (manual transmission) to start
your vehicle as usual. The vehicle should respond normally as long as the
IA key is at the backup location on the steering column. Once the vehicle
is started, the IA key can be moved from the backup location, if desired.
Fast restart feature:The fast restart feature allows you to re-start
your vehicle within 10 seconds of switching the vehicle off, if a valid IA
key is not present when the vehicle is switched off. You can re-start the
vehicle (by applying the brake/clutch pedal and pressing the
START/STOP button) for up to 10 seconds, even though the IA key is
not present. After 10 seconds have expired, you can no longer start your
vehicle without the IA key present inside the vehicle. If the driver door is
opened within this 10 seconds, the fast restart timer expires immediately.
Switching the vehicle off when not in P (Park):It is recommended
that you shift into the P (Park) position before switching your vehicle
off. If you switch your vehicle off with the shifter in any position other
than P (Park), the message SHIFT TO PARK will be displayed in the
multifunction display. If the vehicle is left in this state, your key in
ignition chime will activate when the driver door is opened, and you may
drain your vehicle’s battery. In order to avoid draining your battery, it is
recommended that you always shift to P (Park) before or immediately
after switching your vehicle off.
Absence of the intelligent access key:Once the vehicle has started,
the vehicle will remain running until being turned off by the
START/STOP button, even if the IA key is no longer found in the vehicle.
Whenever a door is opened and then closed while the vehicle is running,
the system will search for an IA key inside the vehicle and the
multifunction display will display KEY OUTSIDE CAR if the IA key is no
longer present. This message is a reminder that someone else in the
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Brake assist
The brake assist system provides full braking force during panic braking
situations. It detects a rapid application of the brake pedal and uses the
ABS system to achieve maximum braking pressure. Once a panic brake
application is detected, the system will remain activated as long as the
brake pedal is pressed or ABS is engaged. The system is deactivated by
either releasing the brake pedal or coming to a complete stop. When the
system activates, noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal
pulsation may be observed; this is normal.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.)
Brake over accelerator
This vehicle is equipped with a brake over accelerator feature. In the
event the accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, applying steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal will both slow the vehicle and
reduce engine power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Turn the engine off, shift to P
(Park) and apply the parking brake, and then inspect the accelerator
pedal for any interferences. If none are found and the condition persists,
have your vehicle towed to the nearest dealer.
ABS
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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 traction control
If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off the traction control feature of the AdvanceTrac
system may be beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This
will restore full engine power and will enhance momentum through the
obstacle.
The traction control system can be turned off through the message
center. SeeMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more
information. If you switch off the traction control, the stability control off
light will illuminate steadily. Selecting traction control on will turn off the
stability control off light.
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 ASSIST FAULT SERVICE
REQUIRED, STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW, STEERING LOSS STOP
SAFELY may display in the multifunction display. Refer to theMessage
centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information.
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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 STEERING
ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED 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 STEERING ASSIST FAULT
SERVICE REQUIRED. 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.
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.
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):
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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 access cover.
Remove the fastener, then remove
the 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 white brake shift
interlock lever forward while pulling
the gearshift lever out of the P
(Park) position and into the N
(Neutral) position.
5. Install the access 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: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.
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.
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