2014 FORD FUSION (AMERICAS) Owners Manual

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
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BLIND SPOT INFORMATION
SYSTEM
Blind Spot Information System(BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert (If
Equipped)
WARNING
To help avoid injuries, NEVER use theBlind Spot Information System as areplacement for using the interiorand exterior mirrors and looking over yourshoulder before changing lanes. The BlindSpot Information System is not areplacement for careful driving.
The Blind Spot Information System aidsyou in detecting vehicles that may haveentered the blind spot zone (A). Thedetection area is on both sides of yourvehicle, extending rearward from theexterior mirrors to approximately 10 ft(3 m)beyond the bumper. The systemalerts you if certain vehicles enter the blindspot zone while driving.
Cross Traffic Alert warns you of vehiclesapproaching from the sides when thetransmission is in reverse (R).
Note:The Blind Spot Information Systemdoes not prevent contact with other vehiclesor objects; nor detect parked vehicles,people, animals or infrastructure (fences,guardrails, trees, etc.). It only alerts you tovehicles in the blind zones.
Note:When a vehicle passes quicklythrough the blind zone, typically fewer thantwo seconds, the system does not trigger.
Using the Systems
The Blind Spot Information System turnson when you start the engine and you driveyou vehicle forward above 5 mph(8 km/h); it remains on while thetransmission is in drive (D) or neutral (N).If shifted out of drive (D) or neutral (N),the system enters cross traffic alert mode.Once shifted back into drive (D), the BlindSpot Information System turns back onwhen you drive your vehicle above 5 mph(8 km/h).
Note:The Blind Spot Information Systemdoes not function in reverse (R) or park (P)or provide any additional warning when aturn signal is on.
Note:Cross Traffic Alert detectsapproaching vehicles from up to 46 ft(14 m) away though coverage decreaseswhen the sensors are blocked. Reversingslowly helps increase the coverage area andeffectiveness.
Note:For manual transmission vehicles,the cross traffic alert will be active only ifthe transmission is in reverse (R). If yourvehicle is rolling backwards and thetransmission is not in reverse (R) then CrossTraffic Alert will not be active.
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WARNING
To help avoid personal injury, NEVERuse the Cross Traffic Alert system asa replacement for using the interiorand exterior mirrors and looking over yourshoulder before backing out of a parkingspace. Cross Traffic Alert is not areplacement for careful driving.
In this first example, the left sensor is onlypartially obstructed; zone coverage isnearly maximized.
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Zone coverage also decreases whenparking at shallow angles. Here, the leftsensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverageon that side is severely limited.
System Lights and Messages
The Blind Spot Information and CrossTraffic Alert systems illuminate a yellowalert indicator in the outside mirror on theside of your vehicle the approachingvehicle is coming from.
Note:The alert indicator dims when thesystem detects nighttime darkness.
Cross Traffic Alert also sounds a series oftones and a message appears in theinformation display indicating a vehicle iscoming from the right or left. Cross TrafficAlert works with the reverse sensingsystem that sounds its own series of tones.See Parking Aid (page 170).
System Sensors
WARNING
Just prior to the system recognizinga blocked condition and alerting thedriver, the number of missed objectswill increase. To help avoid injuries, NEVERuse the Blind Spot Information System asa replacement for using the side and rearview mirrors and looking over your shoulderbefore changing lanes. The Blind SpotInformation System is not a replacementfor careful driving.
Note:It is possible to get a blockagewarning with no blockage present; this israre and known as a false blockage warning.A false blocked condition eitherself-corrects or clears after a key cycle.
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The system uses radar sensors which arelocated behind the bumper fascia on eachside of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,snow or bumper stickers to obstruct theseareas, this can cause degraded systemperformance.
If the system detects a degradedperformance condition, a message warningof a blocked sensor or low visibility willappear in the information display alongwith a warning indicator. You can clear theinformation display warning but thewarning indicator will remain illuminated.
When you remove a blockage, you canreset the system in two ways:
•While driving, the system detects atleast two objects.
•You cycle the ignition from on to offand then back on.
If the blockage is still present after the keycycle and driving in traffic, check again fora blockage.
Reasons for messages being displayed
Clean the fascia area infront of the radar or removethe obstruction.
The radarsurface isdirty orobstructed
Drive normally in traffic fora few minutes to allow theradar to detect passingvehicles so it can clear theblocked state.
The radarsurface isnot dirty orobstructed
No action required. Thesystem automaticallyresets to an unblockedstate once the rainfall orsnowfall rate decreases orstops. Do not use the BlindSpot Information System orCross Traffic Alert in theseconditions.
Heavy rain-fall orsnowfallinterfereswith theradarsignals
System Limitations
The Blind Spot Information and CrossTraffic Alert systems do have theirlimitations; situations such as severeweather conditions or debris build-up onthe sensor area may limit vehicle detection.
The following are other situations that maylimit the Blind Spot Information System:
•Certain maneuvering of vehiclesentering and exiting the blind zone.
•Vehicles passing through the blind zoneat very fast rates.
•When several vehicles forming aconvoy pass through the blind zone.
The following are other situations that maylimit the Cross Traffic Alert system:
•Adjacently parked vehicles or objectsobstructing the sensors.
•Approaching vehicles passing atspeeds greater than 15 mph (24 km/h).
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•Driving in reverse faster than 5 mph(8 km/h).
•Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note:If your vehicle has a factory equippedtow bar and it is towing a trailer, the sensorswill detect the trailer and turn the Blind SpotInformation and Cross Traffic Alert systemsoff to avoid false alerts. For non-factoryequipped tow bars, you may want to turnthe Blind Spot Information System offmanually.
There may be certain instances when thereis a false alert by either the Blind SpotInformation or the Cross Traffic Alertsystems that illuminates the alert indicatorwith no vehicle in the coverage zone. Someamount of false alerts are normal; they aretemporary and self-correct.
System Errors
If either system senses a problem with theleft or right sensor, the Blind SpotInformation System telltale will illuminateand a message will appear in theinformation display.
All other system faults will display onlywith a message in the information display.See Information Messages (page 95).
Switching the Systems Off and On
You can temporarily switch off one or bothsystems in the information display. SeeGeneral Information (page 87). Whenyou switch off the Blind Spot InformationSystem, you will not receive alerts and theinformation display will display a systemoff message. The system switches backon whenever you switch the ignition on.
Note:The Cross Traffic Alert system alwaysswitches on whenever the ignition isswitched on. However, the Blind SpotInformation System will remember the lastselected on or off setting.
One or both systems cannot be switchedoff when MyKey is used. See Principle ofOperation (page 50).
You can also have one or both systemsswitched off permanently at an authorizeddealer. Once switched off, the system canonly be switched back on at an authorizeddealer.
STEERING
Electric Power Steering
WARNINGS
The electric power steering systemhas diagnostic checks thatcontinuously monitor the system toensure proper operation. When a systemerror is detected a steering message willappear in the information display.
The electric power steering systemhas diagnostic checks thatcontinuously monitor the system toensure proper operation of the electronicsystem. When an electronic error isdetected, a message will be displayed inthe information display. If this happens,stop the vehicle in a safe place, and turnoff the engine. After at least 10 seconds,reset the system by restarting the engine,and watch the information display for asteering message. If a steering messagereturns, or returns while driving, take thevehicle to your dealer to have it checked.
Obtain immediate service if a systemerror is detected. You may not noticeany difference in the feel of yoursteering, but a serious condition may exist.Failure to do so may result in loss ofsteering control.
Your vehicle is equipped with an electricpower-assisted steering system. There isno fluid reservoir to check or fill.
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If your vehicle loses electrical power whileyou are driving (or if the ignition is turnedoff), you can steer the vehicle manually,but it takes more effort. Extremecontinuous steering may increase the effortit takes for you to steer. This occurs toprevent internal overheating andpermanent damage to your steeringsystem. If this should occur, you will neitherlose the ability to steer the vehiclemanually nor will it cause permanentdamage. Typical steering and drivingmaneuvers will allow the system to cooland steering assist will return to normal.
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 crosswindsmay also make the steering seem towander or pull.
Adaptive Learning
The EPS system adaptive learning helpscorrect for road irregularities and improvesoverall handling and steering feel. Itcommunicates with the vehicle's brakesystem to help operate advanced stabilitycontrol and accident avoidance systems.Additionally, whenever the battery isdisconnected or a new battery installed,the vehicle must be driven a short distancebefore the strategy is relearned and allsystems are reactivated.
COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION (If
Equipped)
WARNINGS
This system is designed to be asupplementary driving aid. It is notintended to replace the driver’sattention, and judgment, or the need toapply the brakes. This system does NOTactivate the brakes automatically. Failureto press the brake pedal to activate thebrakes may result in a collision.
The collision warning system withbrake support cannot help preventall collisions. Do not rely on thissystem to replace driver judgment and theneed to maintain distance and speed.
Note:The system does not detect, warn orrespond to potential collisions with vehiclesto the rear or sides of the vehicle.
Note:The collision warning system is activeat speeds above approximately 5 mph (8km/h).
This system is designed to alert the driverof certain collision risks. A radar detects ifyour vehicle is rapidly approaching anothervehicle traveling in the same direction asyours.
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If it is, a red warning light illuminates andan audible warning chime sounds.
The brake support system assists the driverin reducing the collision speed by chargingthe brakes. If the risk of collision furtherincreases after the warning lightilluminates, the brake support preparesthe brake system for rapid braking. Thismay be apparent to the driver. The systemdoes not automatically activate the brakesbut, if the brake pedal is pressed, full forcebraking is applied even if the brake pedalis lightly pressed.
Using the Collision Warning System
WARNING
The collision warning system’s brakesupport can only help reduce thespeed at which a collision occurs ifthe driver applies the vehicle’s brakes. Thebrake pedal must be pressed just like anytypical braking situation.
The warning system sensitivity can beadjusted to one of three possible settingsby using the information display control.See General Information (page 87).
Note:If collision warnings are perceived asbeing too frequent or disturbing then thewarning sensitivity can be reduced, thoughthe manufacturer recommends using thehighest sensitivity setting where possible.Setting lower sensitivity would lead to fewerand later system warnings. See GeneralInformation (page 87).
Blocked Sensors
If a message regarding a blocked sensorappears in the information display, theradar signals from the sensor have beenobstructed. The sensors are located behinda fascia cover near the driver side of thelower grille. When the sensors areobstructed, a vehicle ahead cannot bedetected and the collision warning systemdoes not function. The following table listspossible causes and actions for thismessage being displayed.
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