2014 FORD FUSION (AMERICAS) brake

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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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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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 nolonger obstructed
The surface of the radar in the grille is cleanbut the message remains in the display
The collision warning system is temporarilydisabled. Collision warning should automat-ically reactivate a short time after theweather conditions improve
Heavy rain, spray, snow, or fog is interferingwith the radar signals
The collision warning system is temporarilydisabled. Collision warning should automat-ically reactivate a short time after theweather conditions improve
Swirling water, or snow or ice on the surfaceof the road may interfere with the radarsignals
System Limitations
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.
Due to the nature of radar technology,there may be certain instances wherevehicles do not provide a collision warning.These include:
•Stationary vehicles or vehicles movingbelow 6 mph (10 km/h).
•Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.
•Oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
•Severe weather conditions (seeblocked sensor section).
•Debris build-up on the grille near theheadlamps (see blocked sensorsection).
•Small distance to vehicle ahead.
•Steering wheel and pedal movementsare large (very active driving style).
•
If the front end of the vehicle is hit ordamaged, the radar sensing zone may bealtered causing missed or false collisionwarnings. See your authorized dealer tohave your collision warning radar checkedfor proper coverage and operation.
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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.
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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.
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RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed the trailerweight for your vehicleconfiguration listed in the chartbelow.
Note:Make sure to take intoconsideration trailer frontal area.Do not exceed 20 feet2 (1.86
meters2).
Note:For high altitude operation,reduce the gross combined weightby 2% per 1000 feet (300 meters)starting at the 1000 foot (300meter) elevation point.
Note:Certain states requireelectric trailer brakes for trailersover a specified weight. Be sure tocheck state regulations for thisspecified weight. The maximumtrailer weights listed may be limitedto this specified weight, as thevehicle’s electrical system may notinclude the wiring connectorneeded to activate electric trailerbrakes.
Your vehicle may tow a Class Itrailer provided the maximumtrailer weight is less than or equalto the maximum trailer weightlisted for your vehicleconfiguration on the followingchart.
Maximum trailer weight*Powertrain
1000 lb (454 kg)1.5L GTDI
1000 lb (454 kg)1.6L GTDI
2000 lb (907 kg)2.0L GTDI
1000 lb (454 kg)2.5L TiVCT
*Calculated with SAE J2807 method.
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines to ensure safetowing:
•Do not tow a trailer until you drive yourvehicle at least 1000 miles (1600kilometers).
•Consult your local motor vehicle lawsfor towing a trailer.
•See the instructions included withtowing accessories for the properinstallation and adjustmentspecifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency givesyou.
You can find information on loadspecification terms found on the tire labeland Safety Compliance label as well asinstructions on calculating your vehicle'sload in the Load Carrying chapter. SeeLoad Limit (page 199).
Remember to account for the trailertongue weight as part of your vehicle loadwhen calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps ontothe bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of thetotal trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to thebumper.
Always connect the trailer’s safety chainsto the hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer’s safety chains, crossthem under the trailer tongue and allowenough slack for turning tight corners. Donot allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to yourvehicle's brake system. Your vehiclemay not have enough braking power andyour chances of having a collision greatlyincrease.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if youinstall them properly and adjust them tothe manufacturer's specifications. Thetrailer brakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
Separate functioning brake systemsare required for safe control of towedvehicles and trailers weighing morethan 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiringto the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; thismay damage the electrical systemresulting in a fire. Contact an authorizeddealer as soon as possible for assistancein proper trailer tow wiring installation.Additional electrical equipment may berequired.
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