2013 FORD FOCUS overheating

GAUGES
A. Information display. SeeInformation Displaysfor more information.
B. Speedometer
C. Engine coolant temperature gauge
D. Fuel gauge
E. Tachometer
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Shows the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will remain in the center section. If the needle
enters the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the engine, switch
the ignition off and determine the cause once the engine has cooled
down.
Note:Do not restart the engine until the cause of overheating has been
resolved.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
0 20406080
10 0
12 0
14 0
110
1013 0
15 0
10 012 0
14 0
16 0
18 0
0 20 40
306080
200
220
240
5070
90
102Instrument Cluster
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Transmission MessageAction / Description
Transmission too hot Press
brake
AmberDisplays when the
transmission is overheating.
Stop the vehicle in a safe spot
and allow the transmission to
cool and the message
disappears before proceeding.
If the condition persists,
contact your authorized dealer
for service.
Red Displays when the
transmission is overheating.
Stop the vehicle in a safe spot
and allow the transmission to
cool and the message
disappears before proceeding.
If the condition persists,
contact your authorized dealer
for service. If the vehicle is
driven with this message
active you may experience
vehicle shudder as a further
overheat warning.
Transmission overheating Stop
safely
RedDisplays when the
transmission is overheating.
Stop the vehicle in a safe spot
and allow the transmission to
cool before proceeding. If the
condition persists, contact
your authorized dealer for
service.
Transmission not in Park
Select P—Displays as a reminder to shift
into park.
Information Displays11 9
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Transmission MessageAction / Description
Transmission malfunction
Service now
RedDisplays when the
transmission requires service
due to a malfunction. Contact
your authorized dealer.
Use Brake Stop Safely
RedDisplays when the vehicle
needs to be brought to a safe
stop to allow the transmission
to cool.
Transmission Hot / Stop or
Speed Up
—Displays when the
transmission is overheating
when idling with the brake
applied for long periods such
as in heavy stop-and-go
traffic. Stop the vehicle in a
safe spot and allow the
transmission to cool before
proceeding or drive an
alternate route that allows less
idling/slower speeds.
Transmission Hot Wait XX min
—Displays when the
transmission is overheating.
Stop the vehicle in a safe spot
and allow the transmission to
cool for the displayed time
before proceeding.
Transmission Hot Wait ...
—Displays when the
transmission is overheating.
Stop the vehicle in a safe spot
and allow the transmission to
cool before proceeding.
120Information Displays
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Transmission MessageAction / Description
Transmission Ready
—Displays after an transmission
overheating event and the
transmission has cooled
enough to allow proper
transmission function.
Transmission limited function
Check handbook AmberDisplays when certain
transmission features are
disabled.
Transmission warming up
Please wait
—Displays when the
transmission needs a warming
period before it will operate
properly.
Tire pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) MessageAction / Description
Low Tire Pressure
AmberDisplays when one or more
tires on your vehicle have low
tire pressure. Refer to
Inflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loading
chapter.
Tire Pressure Monitor Fault
AmberDisplays when the tire
pressure monitoring system is
malfunctioning. If the warning
stays on or continues to come
on, contact your authorized
dealer.
Information Displays121
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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. Extreme continuous steering may increase the effort it takes
for you to steer. This occurs to prevent internal 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.
When a steering system error is detected, steering messages may appear
in the information display.
Steering Tips
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 vehicle alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
208Driving Aids
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•In case of emergency, a large amount of water without engine coolant
may be added in order to reach a vehicle service location. In this
instance, the cooling system must be drained, chemically cleaned with
MotorcraftPremium Cooling System Flush, and refilled with
prediluted engine coolant as soon as possible. Water alone (without
engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion, overheating
or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed with
alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol and other liquids can
cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These can be
harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure will escape as you unscrew the
cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant meeting the Ford specification. See
Capacities and Specificationsfor more information.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough prediluted engine coolant to bring the coolant
level to the proper level.
Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company does not recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•It may be necessary to have a Ford authorized dealer increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
•A coolant concentration of 60% will provide improved freeze point
protection. Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant
and may cause engine damage.
252Maintenance
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If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It may be necessary to have a Ford authorized dealer decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.
•A coolant concentration of 40% will provide improved overheat
protection. Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion/freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use
prediluted engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
Powertrain Limiting and Protection
Note:Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem increases
the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
The engine control module (ECU) is equipped with a feature called
powertrain limiting and protection (PTLP). PTLP will help protect the
engine from damage in case the engine is overheating (coolant and/or oil
temperature too hot). PTLP will automatically intervene during normal
engine operation should it determine the engine coolant and/or oil
temperatures are too hot. It does this by gradually reducing the
maximum allowable engine rpm until the engine has cooled sufficiently.
PTLP will automatically reinstate normal engine operation if it
determines the engine temperatures have cooled sufficiently.
During an engine overheating condition, the instrument cluster will
display a message and a chime will sound. The engine may also have
temporarily reduced power and reduced rpm limit during an overheating
condition.
Operating the engine with high engine coolant temperature (coolant
gauge indicator is red) may cause powertrain damage. Stop the vehicle
as soon as safely possible, and let the engine cool off while idling.
Maintenance253
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Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and/or foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
every month or at six month intervals.
Check Every Month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure.
Windshield washer fluid level.
Check Every Six Months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary.
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if
necessary.
Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as
necessary.
Scheduled Maintenance317
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