If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the
Pavement
•
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the
pavement, slow down, but avoid severe
brake application, ease the vehicle
back onto the pavement only after
reducing your speed. Do not turn the
steering wheel too sharply while
returning to the road surface.
• It may be safer to stay on the apron or
shoulder of the road and slow down
gradually before returning to the
pavement. You may lose control if you
do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
• It often may be less risky to strike small
objects, such as highway reflectors,
with minor damage to your vehicle
rather than attempt a sudden return to
the pavement which could cause the
vehicle to slide sideways out of control
or rollover. Remember, your safety and
the safety of others should be your
primary concern.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake fully
and make sure the transmission is in
P (Park). Turn the ignition to the lock
position or turn the vehicle off using the
start/stop button and remove the key
whenever you leave your vehicle. If the parking brake is fully released,
but the brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized
dealer. Do not spin the wheels at over 35
mph (56 km/h). The tires may fail
and injure a passenger or bystander.
Note:
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur. Note:
Do not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur or the
engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it
may be rocked out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped with
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability
Control ™, it may be beneficial to
disengage the AdvanceTrac® with Roll
Stability Control ™ system while
attempting to rock the vehicle.
Emergency Maneuvers
• In an unavoidable emergency situation
where a sudden sharp turn must be
made, remember to avoid
"over-driving" your vehicle (i.e., turn the
steering wheel only as rapidly and as
far as required to avoid the
emergency). Excessive steering will
result in less vehicle control, not more.
Additionally, smooth variations of the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
pressure should be utilized if changes
in vehicle speed are called for. Avoid
abrupt steering, acceleration or braking
which could result in an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury. Use all
available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
• In the event of an emergency stop,
avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel
movements.
• If the vehicle goes from one type of
surface to another (i.e., from concrete
to gravel) there will be a change in the
way the vehicle responds to a
maneuver (steering, acceleration or
braking). Again, avoid these abrupt
inputs.
167
Fusion/Mondeo (CC7), enUSA All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note:
Avoid driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing
traction, slipping sideways and possibly
rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill,
determine beforehand the route you will
use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill
without seeing what conditions are on the
other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill
without the aid of an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down
a hill or steep incline, you should always
try to drive straight up or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start
in a lower gear rather than downshifting to
a lower gear from a higher gear once the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on
the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround
because you might roll over. It is better to
back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to
climb the hill. Too much power will cause
the tires to slip, spin or lose traction,
resulting in loss of vehicle control. Descend a hill in the same gear you would
use to climb up the hill to avoid excessive
brake application and brake overheating.
Do not descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually shift to a
lower gear. When descending a steep hill,
avoid sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have to be
turning in order to steer the vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump”
the brakes.
Driving on Snow and Ice WARNING
If you are driving in slippery
conditions that require tire chains or
cables, then it is critical that you drive
cautiously. Keep speeds down, allow for
longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances
of a loss of vehicle control which can lead
to serious injury or death. If the rear end of
the vehicle slides while cornering, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain
control of the vehicle. Note:
Excessive tire slippage can cause
driveline damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD
vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like
any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on
snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel
in the direction of the slide until you regain
control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and
quick changes of direction on snow and
ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and
steadily when starting from a full stop.
169
Fusion/Mondeo (CC7), enUSA All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)E143949
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an
AWD vehicle may accelerate better than
a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice,
it won
’t stop any faster, because as in other
vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels.
Do not become overconfident as to road
conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for
stopping. Drive slower than usual and
consider using one of the lower gears. In
emergency stopping situations, apply the
brake steadily. Since your vehicle is
equipped with a four wheel (ABS), do not
“pump ” the brakes. See Hints on Driving
With Anti-Lock Brakes (page 171). for
more information on the operation of the
anti-lock brake system (ABS).
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and
tested to provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty and durable load
carrying capability. For this reason, Ford
Motor Company strongly recommends that
you do not make modifications such as
adding or removing parts (such as lowering
kits or stabilizer bars) or by using
replacement parts not equivalent to the
original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise
the center of gravity can make it more likely
the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss
of control. Ford Motor Company
recommends that caution be used with
any vehicle equipped with a high load or
device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly
may void the warranty, increase your repair
cost, reduce vehicle performance and
operational capabilities and adversely
affect driver and passenger safety.
Frequent inspection of vehicle chassis
components is recommended if the vehicle
is subjected to off-highway usage.
170
Fusion/Mondeo (CC7), enUSA All-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If
a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
your vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
have it checked by an authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Alloy
Wheels (page 270). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 88).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal
becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal to
slow the vehicle and reduce engine power.
If you experience this condition, apply the
brakes and bring your vehicle to a safe
stop. Move the transmission selector lever
to position
P, switch the engine off and
apply the parking brake. Inspect the
accelerator pedal for any interference. If
none are found and the condition persists,
have your vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized dealer. Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brake
rapidly by measuring the rate at which you
press the brake pedal. It provides
maximum braking efficiency as long as you
press the pedal, and can reduce stopping
distances in critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking.
This lamp momentarily
illuminates when you turn the
ignition on. If the light does not
illuminate during start up, remains on or
flashes, the system may be disabled. Have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer. If the system is disabled, normal
braking is still effective. If the
brake warning lamp illuminates
when you release the parking brake, have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
Note: When the system is operating, the
brake pedal will pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake
pedal. You may also hear a noise from the
system. This is normal.
The anti-lock braking system will not
eliminate the risks when:
• You drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you.
• Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
171
Fusion/Mondeo (CC7), enUSA BrakesE144522 E144522
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
The electric parking brake replaces the
conventional handbrake. The operating
switch is located in the center console.
WARNING
Always set the parking brake and
leave your vehicle with the
transmission in park (P) (automatic
transmission) or in first gear (1) or reverse
(R) (manual transmission). Note:
When you apply the electric parking
brake in certain conditions, for example, on
a steep hill, the electric parking brake may
reapply the brakes within three to ten
minutes.
Note: You may notice various noises when
you apply and release the electric parking
brake. This is normal and no cause for
concern.
Parking on a hill (vehicles with a
manual transmission)
If you park your vehicle facing uphill, move
the transmission to first gear (1) and turn
the steering wheel away from the curb. If
you park your vehicle facing downhill, move
the transmission to reverse (R) and turn
the steering wheel toward the curb.
Applying the electric parking brake WARNING
If the brake system warning lamp
flashes, there could be a problem
with your electric parking brake. Have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Note:
The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate for ten seconds, if the ignition is
turned off after the electric parking brake
has been applied, or the electric parking
brake has been applied after the ignition has
been turned off.
Note: The electric parking brake will not
automatically apply. You must apply the
electric parking brake using the electric
parking brake switch. Pull the switch up to apply the electric
parking brake.
The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate to confirm that the electric
parking brake has been applied. See
Information Displays (page 93).
Applying the electric parking brake
when the vehicle is moving WARNINGS
Applying the electric parking brake
while moving will result in use of the
anti-lock braking system. Do not use
the electric parking brake system when the
vehicle is moving unless the normal brake
system is unable to stop the vehicle.
172
Fusion/Mondeo (CC7), enUSA BrakesE147230
WARNINGS
With the exception of emergency
conditions (for example, the brake
pedal does not work or is blocked),
do not apply the electric parking brake
while the vehicle is moving. On bends, or
poor road surfaces or weather conditions,
emergency braking can cause the vehicle
to skid out of control or off the road. If you apply the electric parking brake when
your vehicle is moving, the brake system
warning lamp will illuminate and a warning
chime will sound. See Information
Displays (page 93).
If your vehicle speed is above
4 mph
(6 km/h), the braking force is applied as
long as the switch is pulled. Releasing or
pressing the switch or pressing the
accelerator pedal will stop the braking
force.
Releasing the electric parking
brake You can release the electric parking brake
either manually by pressing the switch or
automatically. Manual release WARNING
If the brake system warning light
remains illuminated or flashes after
you have released the parking brake,
there could be a problem with you braking
system. Have the system checked by an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. You can manually release the electric
parking brake by:
1. Turning the ignition on.
2. Pressing the brake pedal.
3. Pressing the electric parking brake
switch.
When the electric parking brake is released,
the brake system warning lamp will turn
off.
Driving with a Trailer
Depending on the slope and the weight of
the trailer, your vehicle and trailer may roll
backwards slightly when you start on a
slope.
To prevent this from happening, do the
following:
1. Pull the switch up and hold it in this position.
2. Drive your vehicle, then release the switch when you notice that the engine
has developed sufficient driving force.
Automatic release - drive away release
Your vehicle will automatically release the
parking brake if all of the following
conditions exist:
• The driver door is closed.
• The driver safety belt is fastened.
• The vehicle is accelerated.
• There are no faults detected in the
parking brake system.
173
Fusion/Mondeo (CC7), enUSA BrakesE147231
PARKING AID (If Equipped)
WARNINGS
To help avoid personal injury, please
read and understand the limitations
of the system as contained in this
section. Sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when
moving in reverse on a flat surface at
parking speeds. Traffic control systems,
inclement weather, air brakes, and external
motors and fans may also affect the
function of the sensing system; this may
include reduced performance or a false
activation. To help avoid personal injury, always
use caution when in reverse (R) and
when using the sensing system.
This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or moving
objects. The system is designed to
provide a warning to assist the driver in
detecting large stationary objects to avoid
damaging the vehicle. The system may not
detect smaller objects, particularly those
close to the ground. Certain add-on devices such as large
trailer hitches, bike or surfboard racks
and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the system, may
create false beeps. Note:
Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors
are covered, the system ’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alarms. Note:
If your vehicle is equipped with
MyKey®, it is possible to prevent turning the
sensing system off. See
MyKey ™ (page
52).
The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of the
bumper area. The system turns on
automatically whenever the ignition is
switched on.
When receiving a detection warning, the
radio volume is reduced to a
predetermined level. After the warning
goes away, the radio volume returns to the
previous level.
The system can be switched off through
the information display menu or from the
pop-up message that appears once the
transmission is shifted into reverse (R) or
a front obstacle is detected. See
(page
93).
If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information
display and does not allow the driver to
switch the faulted system on. See
Information Messages
(page 103).
Rear Sensing System
The rear sensors are only active when the
transmission is in reverse (R). As the
vehicle moves closer to the obstacle, the
rate of the audible warning increases.
When the obstacle is fewer than
9.84 in
(25 cm) away, the warning sounds
continuously. If a stationary or receding
object is detected farther than
9.84 in
(25 cm) from the side of the vehicle, the
tone sounds for only three seconds. Once
the system detects an object approaching,
the warning sounds again.
178
Fusion/Mondeo (CC7), enUSA Parking Aids
Deactivating the Park Assist
Feature
Manually deactivate the system by::
•
Pressing the active park assist button.
• Grabbing the steering wheel.
• Driving above approximately 50 mph
(80 km/h) for 10 seconds during an
active park search.
• Driving above 6 mph (10 km/h) during
automatic steering.
• Turning off the traction control system. Certain vehicle conditions can also
deactivate the system, such as:
•
Traction control has activated on a
slippery or loose surface.
• There is an anti-lock brake system
activation or failure.
• Something touches the steering wheel.
If a problem occurs with the system, a
warning message is displayed, followed
by a tone. Occasional system messages
may occur in normal operation. For
recurring or frequent system faults, contact
an authorized dealer to have your vehicle
serviced.
Troubleshooting the System The system does not look for a space
The traction control system may be off
The transmission is in Reverse (R); your vehicle must be moving forward to detect a
parking space The system does not offer a particular space
Something may be contacting the front bumper or side sensors
There is not enough room on both sides of your vehicle in order to park
There is not enough space for the parking maneuver on the opposite side of the parking
space
Your vehicle is farther than 5 ft (1.5 m) from the parking space
Your vehicle is closer than 16 in. (40 cm) from neighboring parked vehicles
The transmission is in Reverse (R); your vehicle must be moving forward to detect a
parking space
Your vehicle is going faster than 20 mph (35 km/h)
182
Fusion/Mondeo (CC7), enUSA Parking Aids