
•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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WARNING
Exceeding the SafetyCompliance CertificationLabel vehicle weight rating limitscould result in substandardvehicle handling or performance,engine, transmission and/orstructural damage, seriousdamage to the vehicle, loss ofcontrol and personal injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)- is the Gross Vehicle Weight plusthe weight of the fully loadedtrailer.
GCWR (Gross CombinedWeight Rating) - is the maximumallowable weight of the vehicleand the loaded trailer, includingall cargo and passengers, that thevehicle can handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towingvehicle’s braking system is rated
203Fusion (CC7) , enUSALoad CarryingE142524 E143819GCWGVW

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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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.
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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).
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When driving through water, traction orbrake capability may be limited. Also,water may enter your engine’s air intakeand severely damage your engine or yourvehicle may stall.
Once through the water, always dry thebrakes by moving your vehicle slowly whileapplying light pressure on the brake pedal.Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle asquickly as dry brakes.
FLOOR MATS
WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that aredesigned to fit the foot well of yourvehicle, leaving the pedal areaunobstructed, and which can be firmlysecured to retention posts so that theycannot slip out of position and interferewith the pedals or impair safe operation ofyour vehicle in other ways.
Incorrectly fitted floor mats cancause the accelerator pedal tobecome stuck in the open position.This can cause loss of vehicle control.
Always correctly install the floormats to the retention posts so thatthey cannot slip out of position orobstruct pedal operation.
Do not place unsecured floor matsor any other covering in the foot well.
Do not place additional floor matsor any other covering on top of theoriginal floor mats. This will reducethe pedal clearance and interfere with thepedal operation.
Do not allow objects to fall orbecome trapped under the pedals ofyour vehicle. This can cause loss ofvehicle control.
Carry out regular inspections to makesure the floor mats are secure.
To install the floor mats, position the floormat eyelet over the retention post andpress down to lock in position.
Remove in reverse order.
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HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
Note:If used when the vehicle is notrunning, the battery will lose charge. Theremay be insufficient power to restart yourvehicle.
The hazard warning button islocated on the instrument panel.Use it when your vehicle iscreating a safety hazard for othermotorists.
•Press the button to turn on the hazardwarning function, and the front andrear direction indicators will flash.
•Press the button again to turn themoff.
FUEL SHUTOFF
WARNING
Failure to inspect and, if necessary,repair fuel leaks after a collision mayincrease the risk of fire and seriousinjury. Ford Motor Company recommendsthat the fuel system be inspected by anauthorized dealer after any collision.
In the event of a moderate to severecollision, this vehicle includes a fuel pumpshutoff feature that stops the flow of fuelto the engine. Not every impact will causea shutoff.
Should your vehicle shut off after acollision, you may restart your vehicle. Forvehicles equipped with a key system:
1.Switch off the ignition.
2.Switch on the ignition.
3.Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to re-enable thefuel pump.
For vehicles equipped with a push buttonstart system:
1.Press the START/STOP button toswitch off the ignition.
2.Press the brake pedal and press theSTART/STOP button to start thevehicle.
3.Remove your foot from the brake pedaland press the START/STOP buttonto switch off the ignition.
4.You can either attempt to start theengine by pressing the brake pedal andthe START/STOP button, or switchon the ignition only by pressing theSTART/STOP button withoutpressing the brake pedal. Both waysre-enable the fuel system.
Note:When you try to restart your vehicleafter a fuel shutoff, the vehicle makes surethat various systems are safe to restart.Once your vehicle determines that thesystems are safe, then the vehicle will allowyou to restart.
Note:In the event that your vehicle doesnot restart after your third attempt, contactan authorized dealer.
JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNINGS
The gases around the battery canexplode if exposed to flames, sparks,or lit cigarettes. An explosion couldresult in personal injury or vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid whichcan burn skin, eyes and clothing, ifcontacted.
Use only an adequate-sized cablewith insulated clamps.
216Fusion (CC7) , enUSARoadside Emergencies

Preparing Your Vehicle
Note:Do not attempt to push-start yourautomatic transmission vehicle. Automatictransmissions do not have push-startcapability. Attempting to push-start avehicle with an automatic transmission maycause transmission damage.
Note:Use only a 12-volt supply to start yourvehicle.
Note:Do not disconnect the battery of thedisabled vehicle as this could damage thevehicle's electrical system.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hoodof the disabled vehicle, making sure thetwo vehicles do not touch. Turn allaccessories off.
Connecting the Jumper Cables
WARNING
Do not attach the cables to fuel lines,engine rocker covers, the intakemanifold or electrical componentsas grounding points. Stay clear of movingparts. To avoid reverse polarityconnections, make sure that you correctlyidentify the positive (+) and negative (-)terminals on both the disabled and boostervehicles before connecting the cables.
Note:In the illustration, the bottom vehiclerepresents the booster vehicle.
1.Connect the positive (+) jumper cableto the positive (+) terminal of thedischarged battery.
2.Connect the other end of the positive(+) cable to the positive (+) terminalof the assisting battery.
3.Connect the negative (-) cable to thenegative (-) terminal of the assistingbattery.
4.Make the final connection of thenegative (-) cable to an exposed metalpart of the stalled vehicle's engine, orconnect the negative (-) cable to aground connection point if available.
WARNING
Do not connect the end of thesecond cable to the negative (-)terminal of the battery to be jumped.A spark may cause an explosion of thegases that surround the battery.
217Fusion (CC7) , enUSARoadside Emergencies4213E142664