2014 FORD FUSION (AMERICAS) tires

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Vehicle modifications involvingbraking system, aftermarket roofracks, suspension, steering system,tire construction and wheel and tire sizemay change the handling characteristicsof the vehicle and may adversely affectthe performance of the AdvanceTracsystem. In addition, installing any stereoloudspeakers may interfere with andadversely affect the AdvanceTrac system.Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeakeras far as possible from the front centerconsole, the tunnel, and the front seats inorder to minimize the risk of interfering withthe AdvanceTrac sensors. Reducing theeffectiveness of the AdvanceTrac systemcould lead to an increased risk of loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury and death.
Remember that even advancedtechnology cannot defy the laws ofphysics. It’s always possible to losecontrol of a vehicle due to inappropriatedriver input for the conditions. Aggressivedriving on any road condition can causeyou to lose control of your vehicleincreasing the risk of personal injury orproperty damage. Activation of theAdvanceTrac system is an indication thatat least some of the tires have exceededtheir ability to grip the road; this couldreduce the operator’s ability to control thevehicle potentially resulting in a loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury and death. If your AdvanceTracsystem activates, SLOW DOWN.
The AdvanceTrac Control system helpsyou keep control of your vehicle when ona slippery surface. The electronic stabilitycontrol portion of the system helps avoidskids and lateral slides. The tractioncontrol system helps avoid drive wheelspin and loss of traction. See UsingTraction Control (page 168).
Vehicle without AdvanceTracskidding off its intended route.A
Vehicle with AdvanceTracmaintaining control on a slipperysurface.
B
USING STABILITY CONTROL
AdvanceTrac®
The system automatically activates whenyou start your vehicle. The AdvanceTracsystem cannot be completely turned off,but the electronic stability control systemis disabled when the transmission selectorlever is in position R. You can turn off thetraction control portion of the systemindependently. See Using TractionControl (page 168).
169Fusion (CC7) , enUSAStability ControlE72903AAABBBB

The system does not position the vehicle where I want in the space
Your vehicle is rolling in the opposite direction of the transmission (rolling forward whenReverse [R] is selected)
An irregular curb along the parking space prevents the system from aligning your vehicleproperly
Vehicles or objects bordering the space may not be positioned correctly
You pulled your vehicle too far past the parking space. The system performs best whenyou drive the same distance past the parking space
The tires may not be installed or maintained correctly (not inflated correctly, impropersize, or of different sizes)
A repair or alteration has changed detection capabilities
A parked vehicle has a high attachment (salt sprayer, snowplow, moving truck bed,etc.)
The parking space length or position of parked objects changed after your vehicle passed
The temperature around your vehicle changes quickly (driving from a heated garageinto the cold, or after leaving a car wash)
REAR VIEW CAMERA (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNINGS
The rear view camera system is areverse aid supplement device thatstill requires the driver to use it inconjunction with the interior and exteriormirrors for maximum coverage.
Objects that are close to eithercorner of the bumper or under thebumper, might not be seen on thescreen due to the limited coverage of thecamera system.
Back up as slow as possible sincehigher speeds might limit yourreaction time to stop the vehicle.
WARNINGS
Use caution when using the rearvideo camera and the trunk is ajar. Ifthe trunk is ajar, the camera will beout of position and the video image maybe incorrect. All guidelines (if enabled)have been removed when the trunk is ajar.
Use caution when turning camerafeatures on or off while in R(Reverse). Make sure the vehicle isnot moving.
The rear view camera system provides avideo image of the area behind the vehicle.The image will be displayed in either in therear view mirror or the display in the centerof the instrument panel.
During operation, lines appear in thedisplay which represent your vehicle’s pathand proximity to objects behind the vehicle.
175Fusion (CC7) , enUSAParking Aids

Why is the feature not available (line markings are gray) when I can see the lane markingson the road?
Staying too close to the lane marking
Driving at high speeds in curves
Previous feature activation happened within the last one second
Ambiguous lane markings (mainly in construction zones)
Rapid transition from light to dark or vice versa
Sudden offset in lane markings
ABS or AdvanceTrac activation
Camera blockage due to dirt, grime, fog, frost or water on the windshield
Driving too close to the vehicle in front of you
Transitioning between no lane markings to lane markings or vice versa
Standing water on the road
Faint lane markings (partial yellow lane markings on concrete roads)
Lane width too narrow or too wide
Camera not calibrated after a windshield replacement
Driving on tight roads or on uneven roads
Why does the vehicle not come back into the middle of the lane always, as expected, inthe Aid or Aid + Alert mode?
High cross winds
Large road crown
Rough roads, grooves, shoulder drop-offs
Heavy uneven loading of the vehicle or improper tire inflation pressure
If the tires have been exchanged (including snow tires), or the suspension has beenmodified
190Fusion (CC7) , enUSADriving Aids

for operation at Gross VehicleWeight Rating, not at GrossCombined Weight Rating.)Separate functional brakes shouldbe used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where theGross Combined Weight of thetowing vehicle plus the trailerexceed the Gross Vehicle WeightRating of the towing vehicle.TheGross Combined Weight mustnever exceed the GrossCombined Weight Rating.
Maximum Loaded TrailerWeight - is the highest possibleweight of a fully loaded trailer thevehicle can tow. It assumes avehicle with mandatory options,driver and front passenger weight(150 pounds [68 kilograms]each), no cargo weight (internalor external) and a tongue load of10–15% (conventional trailer) orking pin weight of 15–25% (fifthwheel trailer). Consult anauthorized dealer (or the RV andTrailer Towing Guide available atan authorized dealer) for moredetailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth WheelKing Pin Weight - refers to theamount of the weight that a trailerpushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples: For a 5000 pound(2268 kilogram) conventionaltrailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and0.15 to obtain a proper tongueload range of 500 to 750 pounds(227 to 340 kilograms). For an11500 pound (5216 kilogram) fifthwheel trailer, multiply by 0.15 and0.25 to obtain a proper king pinload range of 1725 to 2875 pounds(782 to 1304 kilograms).
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on theSafety Compliance CertificationLabel.
Do not use replacement tireswith lower load carryingcapacities than the original tiresbecause they may lower thevehicle’s GVWR and GAWRlimitations. Replacement tireswith a higher limit than the originaltires do not increase the GVWRand GAWR limitations.
Exceeding any vehicle weightrating limitation could resultin serious damage to the vehicleand/or personal injury.
Steps for determining thecorrect load limit:
1.Locate the statement "Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg or XXX lb." on yourvehicle’s placard.
204Fusion (CC7) , enUSALoad Carrying

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on thecertification label.
Towing trailers beyond themaximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds thelimit of your vehicle and couldresult in engine damage,transmission damage, structuraldamage, loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
The electrical system on yourvehicle may have fuses or relaysrelated to the towing equipment.See Fuses (page 226).
The load capacity of your vehicleis designated by weight notvolume. You will not necessarilybe able to use all available spacewhen loading your vehicle ortrailer.
Towing a trailer places extra loadon the engine, transmission, axle,brakes, tires and suspension.Inspect these components before,during and after towing.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove 15% or below 10% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with thecorrect rise or drop. When boththe loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
Note:A slight vibration or shuddermay be present when you start todrive away due to increasedpayload weight.
Information on correct trailerloading and preparing your vehicleis available in the load carryingsection. See Load Limit (page199). Further information isavailable in the RV and TrailerTowing Guide. See an authorizeddealer.
207Fusion (CC7) , enUSATowing

Trailer lamps are required on most towedvehicles. Make sure all running lights, brakelights, turn signals and hazard lights areworking.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing-upto get the feel of your vehicle-trailercombination before starting on a trip.When turning, make wider turns so thetrailer wheels clear curbs and otherobstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113km/h) during the first 500 miles (800kilometers).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 miles (80kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in position P (automatictransmission) or neutral (manualtransmission) to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavyloads or in hilly terrain. The speedcontrol may turn off automaticallywhen you are towing on long, steepgrades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping witha trailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, ifyou must park on a grade:
1.Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2.Set your vehicle parking brake.
3.Place the automatic transmission inposition P or manual transmission in alow gear.
4.Place wheel chocks in front and backof the trailer wheels. (Chocks notincluded with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat orPersonal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbefore backing the trailer into the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafter removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level torise above the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higherthan 6 inches (15 centimeters) abovethe bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water toenter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to thecomponents.
•Affecting drivability, emissions, andreliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytimethe rear axle has been submerged in water.Water may have contaminated the rearaxle lubricant, which is not normallychecked or changed unless a leak issuspected or other axle repair is required.
210Fusion (CC7) , enUSATowing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires forapproximately 300 miles (480kilometers). During this time, your vehiclemay exhibit some unusual drivingcharacteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000miles (1600 kilometers). Vary your speedfrequently and change up through thegears early. Do not labor the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1000 miles(1600 kilometers).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several thingssuch as how you drive, the conditions youdrive under and how you maintain yourvehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind thatmay improve your fuel economy:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down mayeliminate the need to stop.
•Combine errands and minimizestop-and-go driving.
•When running errands, go to thefurthest destination first and thenwork your way back home.
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds. (Travelingat 65 mph/105 kph uses about 15%less fuel than traveling at 75 mph/121kph).
•Keep the tires properly inflated and useonly the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduledmaintenance.
There are also some things you may wantto avoid doing because they reduce yourfuel economy:
•Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
•Avoid revving the engine before turningoff the car.
•Avoid long idle periods.
•Do not warm up your vehicle on coldmornings.
•Reduce the use of air conditioning andheat.
•Avoid using speed control in hillyterrain.
•Do not rest your foot on the brakepedal while driving.
•Avoid carrying unnecessary weight(approximately 1 mpg [0.4kilometers/liter] is lost for every 400lbs [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
•Avoid adding particular accessories toyour vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,rollbars/light bars, running boards, skiracks).
•Avoid driving with the wheels out ofalignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Note:Driving through deep water abovethe recommended levels can cause vehicledamage.
If driving through deep or standing wateris unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Neverdrive through water that is higher than thebottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or thebottom of the hubs (for trucks).
213Fusion (CC7) , enUSADriving Hints

•Touch-up exposed or primed metal toprevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel partswith a thick coat of auto wax to preventdiscoloration. Re-wax as necessarywhen your vehicle is washed.
•Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lidhinges, and latches with a light gradeoil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil andsolvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should bechanged prior to storage, as usedengine oil contain contaminates thatmay cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run atfast idle until it reaches normaloperating temperature
•With your foot on the brake, shiftthrough all the gears while the engineis running.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fueluntil the first automatic shutoff of thefuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing your vehicle fromstorage, check coolant fluid level.Confirm there are no cooling systemleaks, and fluid is at the recommendedlevel.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keepconnections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30days without recharging the battery, itmay be advisable to disconnect thebattery cables to ensure battery chargeis maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, itwill be necessary to reset memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brakeare fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, leversand pins under your vehicle are coveredwith grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8meters) every 15 days to lubricateworking parts and prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out ofstorage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirtor grease film build-up on windowsurfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for anydeterioration.
•Check under the hood for any foreignmaterial that may have collectedduring storage (mice/squirrel nests).
•Check the exhaust for any foreignmaterial that may have collectedduring storage.
•Check tire pressures and set tireinflation per the Tire Label.
261Fusion (CC7) , enUSAVehicle Care