User manual FORD FOCUS-2000

[. . . ] Contents Before driving Introduction Instrumentation Controls and features Seating and safety restraints Starting and driving Starting Driving Roadside emergencies Servicing Maintenance and care Capacities and specifications Customer assistance Reporting safety defects (U. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Ford Motor Company. Copyright E 2000 Ford Motor Company 2 6 19 77 121 128 157 182 252 261 272 273 Introduction ICONS Indicates a safety alert. Read the following section on Warnings. Indicates that vehicle information related to recycling and other environmental concerns will follow. [. . . ] D (Drive) Transaxle operates in gears One through Three. Activate by pressing the transaxle control switch on the gearshift lever. The O/D OFF light will illuminate on the instrument cluster. D (Drive) provides engine braking in gears 2 and 3 and is useful when: · driving with a heavy load. · towing a trailer up or down steep hills. · additional engine downhill braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer to Driving while you tow in the Trailer towing chapter. 138 Driving To return to D (Overdrive) mode, press the transaxle control switch and the O/D OFF light will no longer be illuminated. Each time the vehicle is started, the transaxle will automatically return to normal overdrive mode. 2 (Second) Use 2 (Second) to start up on slippery roads or to provide additional engine braking on downgrades. Upshifts can be made by shifting to D (Drive) or D (Overdrive). Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds causes the transaxle to shift to a lower gear, and will shift to 2 (Second) after vehicle decelerates to the proper speed. 1 (First) Use 1(First) to provide maximum engine braking on steep downgrades. Upshifts can be made by shifting to 2 (Second), D (Drive) or D (Overdrive). Selecting 1 (First) at higher speeds causes the transaxle to shift to a lower gear, and will shift to 1 (First) after vehicle decelerates to the proper speed. 139 Driving Manual transaxle operation (if equipped) Using the clutch Vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle have a starter interlock that prevents cranking the engine unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed. When starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle, you must: 1. Turn ignition to position 4 (START) to start the engine, let the engine idle for a few seconds, then shift into gear. Release clutch slowly while pressing down slowly on the accelerator pedal. 1 140 Driving Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch life. Recommended shift speeds Upshift and downshift according to the following charts for your specific engine/drivetrain combination: Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy) 5-speed manual transaxle Shift from: First to second Second to third Third to fourth Fourth to fifth km/h 23 40 58 72 mph 14 25 36 45 141 Driving Parking your vehicle 1. Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move unexpectedly and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake fully. 1 Reverse Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift into R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transaxle. Put the gearshift in N (Neutral) and wait at least three seconds before shifting into R (Reverse). 142 Driving · Type A transaxle (with SPI engine) You shift into R (Reverse) only by moving the gearshift fully to the right against a spring pressure and then rearward into R (Reverse) gear. · Type B transaxle (with Zetec engine) To select reverse gear, lift the locking ring (1) and then move the gearshift fully to the right and rearward into R (Reverse) gear (2). Removing key from ignition · Turn the ignition key to position 1. · Remove the ignition key. 1 143 Driving VEHICLE LOADING Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with these terms. · Base curb weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. [. . . ] 113 Child safety seats, tether straps 118 Childproof door locks . 62 273 Index C Page E Page Children and safety belts . 189 Components in the engine compartment . 191, 253, 254 Engine coolant, recycled . [. . . ]