2014 FORD FUSION (AMERICAS) sensor

A message displays if something obstructsthe radar signals from the sensor. Thesensor is located behind a fascia covernear the driver side of the lower grille. Thesystem cannot detect a vehicle ahead and
will not function when something obstructsthe radar signals. The following table listspossible causes and actions for thismessage displaying.
ActionCause
Clean the grille surface in front of the radaror remove the object causing the obstruc-tion.
The surface of the radar in the grille is dirtyor obstructed in some way.
Wait a short time. It may take severalminutes for the radar to detect that it is freefrom obstruction.
The surface of the radar in the grille is cleanbut the message remains in the display.
Do not use the system in these conditionsbecause it may not detect any vehiclesahead.
Heavy rain or snow is interfering with theradar signals.
Do not use the system in these conditionsbecause it may not detect any vehiclesahead.
Swirling water, or snow or ice on the surfaceof the road may interfere with the radarsignals.
Wait a short time or switch to normal cruisecontrol.You are in a desert or remote area with noother vehicles and no roadside objects.
Due to the nature of radar technology, it ispossible to get a blockage warning and notbe blocked. This can happen, for example,when driving in sparse rural or desertenvironments. A false blocked conditionwill either self clear or clear after a keycycle.
Switching to Normal CruiseControl
WARNING
Normal cruise control will not brakedue to slower vehicles. Always beaware of which mode you haveselected and apply the brakes whennecessary.
You can manually change from adaptivecruise control to normal cruise controlthrough the information display.
The cruise control indicator lightreplaces the adaptive cruisecontrol indicator light if youselect normal cruise control. The gapsetting will not display, the system will notautomatically respond to lead vehicles andautomatic braking will not activate. Thesystem defaults to adaptive cruise controlwhen you start the vehicle.
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DRIVER ALERT (IF EQUIPPED)
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING
The driver alert system is designedto aid you. It is not intended toreplace your attention and judgment.You are still responsible to drive with duecare and attention.
Note:The system will store the on or offsetting in the information display menuthrough ignition cycles.
Note:If enabled in the menu, the systemwill be active at speeds above 40 mph (64km/h). When below the activation speed,the information display will inform the driverthat the system is unavailable.
Note:The system works as long as one lanemarking can be detected by the camera.
Note:If the camera is blocked or if thewindshield is damaged, the system may notfunction.
Note:The system may not be available inpoor weather or other low visibilityconditions.
The system automatically monitors yourdriving behavior using various inputsincluding the front camera sensor.
If the system detects that your drivingalertness is reduced below a certainthreshold, the system will alert you usinga chime and a message in the clusterdisplay.
USING DRIVER ALERT
Switching the system on and off
Note:The system will remain on or offdepending on how it was last set.
Switch the system on or off using theinformation display. See GeneralInformation (page 87).
When activated, the system will monitoryour alertness level based upon yourdriving behavior in relation to the lanemarkings, and other factors.
System Warnings
Note:Note: The system will not issuewarnings below approximately 40 mph (64km/h).
The warning system has two stages. Atfirst, the system issues a temporarywarning that you need to take a rest. Thismessage will only appear for a short time.If the system detects further reduction indriving alertness, it may issue anotherwarning that will remain in the informationdisplay for a longer time. You can press OKon the steering wheel control to clear thewarning.
System Display
When active the system will runautomatically in the background and onlyissue a warning if required. You can viewthe status at any time using theinformation display. See GeneralInformation (page 87).
The alertness level is shown by six stepsin a colored bar.
The current assessment of your alertnessis within a typical range.
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The current assessment of your alertnessindicates that you should rest as soon assafely possible.
The status bar will travel from left to rightas the calculated alertness leveldecreases. As the rest icon is approachedthe color turns from green to yellow to red.
The yellow position indicates the firstwarning is active and the red positionindicates the second warning is active.
Note:If you have recently received awarning; you should consider resting, evenif the current assessment is within thetypical range.
Note:If the camera sensor cannot track theroad lane markings or if your vehicle speeddrops below approximately 40 mph (64km/h), the alertness level will change togrey for a short time and the informationdisplay will inform you that the system isunavailable.
Resetting the System
You can reset the system by either:
•Switching the ignition off and on.
•Stopping the vehicle and then openingand closing the driver’s door.
LANE KEEPING SYSTEM (IF
EQUIPPED)
WARNING
The system is designed to aid thedriver. It is not intended to replacethe driver’s attention and judgment.The driver is still responsible to drive withdue care and attention.
Note:The system works above 40 mph (64km/h).
Note:The system works as long as one lanemarking can be detected by the camera.
Note:If the camera is blocked or if thewindshield is damaged, the system may notfunction.
Note:When Aid mode is on and the systemdetects no driver steering activity for a shortcontinuous period of time, the system alertsthe driver to put their hands on the steeringwheel. The system may detect a lightgrip/touch on the steering wheel as handsoff driving.
The system detects unintentional driftingtoward the outside of the lane and alertsand/or aids the driver to stay in the lanethrough the steering system andinstrument cluster display. The systemautomatically detects and tracks the roadlane markings using a camera that ismounted behind the interior rear viewmirror.
Switching the System On and Off
Note:The system on or off setting is storeduntil it is manually changed, unless aMyKey® is detected. If a MyKey® isdetected, the system is defaulted to on andthe mode is set to Alert.
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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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