Major mismatched tire or wheel sizesbetween the front and rear axles, forexample 18 inch low profile tires on thefront axle and 20 inch high profile tires onthe rear axle could cause the system todefault to front-wheel drive only mode.Damage to the system can occur that maynot covered by the vehicle Warranty.
The system can tolerate any combinationof new and worn tires of the same originaltire size. For example, using three worntires and one new tire.
Driving in Special Conditions
Your vehicle is capable of being driven onsand, snow, mud or a loose surface.However the operating characteristics aredifferent from conventional off-roadvehicles.
Note:Under severe operating conditions,the air conditioning may turn on and off toprotect the engine from overheating.
Basic Operating Principles
WARNING
Be extremely careful when driving onroad surfaces that are made slipperyby loose sand, water, gravel, snow orice. Failure to adhere to this warning couldresult in the loss of vehicle control, seriouspersonal injury or death.
Emergency Maneuvers
If your vehicle goes off the edge of theroad, slow down but avoid severe brakeapplication, only ease the vehicle backonto the road after reducing your speed.Do not turn the steering wheel too sharplywhile returning to the road surface. It maybe safer to stay on the apron or shoulderof the road and slow down graduallybefore returning to the road surface. Youmay lose control if you do not slow downor if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply. It may be better to strike smallobjects, for example highway reflectors,with minor damage to your vehicle ratherthan attempt a sudden return to the roadsurface, which could cause your vehicle toslide sideways out of control or rollover.Remember, your safety and the safety ofothers should be your primary concern.
In an unavoidable emergency situationwhere a sudden sharp turn must be made,remember to avoid over-driving yourvehicle. Only turn the steering wheel asrapidly and as far as required. Excessivesteering results in less vehicle control, notmore. Additionally, smooth variations ofthe accelerator or brake pedal pressureshould be utilized if changes in vehiclespeed are required. Avoid abrupt steering,acceleration or braking which could resultin an increased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, rollover and personal injury. Useall available road surface to return thevehicle to a safe direction of travel.
If your vehicle goes from one surface typeto another, for example from concrete togravel, there will be a change in the wayyour vehicle responds to steering,acceleration or braking.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may failand injure a passenger or bystander.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow itmay be rocked out by shifting betweenforward and reverse gears, stoppingbetween shifts, in a steady pattern. Presslightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,switching traction control off may bebeneficial while attempting to rock yourvehicle.
142018 Focus RS (CEW) RS, Canada/United States of America, JM5J 19A285 LAA enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First PrintingAll-Wheel Drive
