New Buyer's Guide - Vehicle Support

Safety belts can assist in restraining the driver or passengers in their seats. Moreover, the buffering function of safety belts can absorb considerable kinetic energy, and reduce the degree of injuries to the driver or passengers.

Inspect the condition of the safety belts regularly. For example, functioning of the pretensioner, smooth operation of the safety belt buckles, smoothness of the belt surface, proper operation of the adjusting devices, the warning chime and dash light. If any damage or abnormal operation is found, have your vehicle checked by an Authorized Ford dealer as soon as possible.

Adult safety belts should not be used on a child. Instead, a specially installed child safety restraint should be used.

All the doors can still be opened manually from the inside even when the vehicle has been locked, this is a safety feature to enable the passengers in the vehicle to open the doors in an emergency.

Why does the steering wheel make a noise when turned to full lock?

When the steering wheel is turned to its end, the power steering pump releases its pressure to avoid damaging the power steering system. A sound may be heard during pressure release, this is normal.

• Do not turn and hold the steering wheel to its end for a long period of time. This will affect the service lifetime of the power steering oil pump.

Why is the interior noisy whilst driving?

When the car is moving with the windows or moonroof opened, the passenger compartment becomes a vacuum. The air flow around the car body, together with the vacuum creates a resonance which generates noise.

Starting and Stopping the Engine

If the engine coolant temperature is higher than the optimum temperature after stopping the engine, the cooling fan could continue to operate. This will prevent any damage to the engine due to overheating and will increase its service life time.

• The operation of the cooling fan is normal even after the engine is switched off. This is to reduce the engine coolant temperature.
• When running, petrol engines are quieter than diesel engines.
• Increased idle speed is normal in a cold engine.

The idle speed is automatically increased when the engine is cold, this assists in heating the catalytic converter and ensures that vehicle emissions are kept to an absolute minimum.
The idle speed will slowly decrease to the normal level as the catalytic converter warms up and the engine reaches optimum temperature.

Warnings:

• Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
• Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or mishandled
• Turn off your cell phone before entering a fuel filling station.
• The fuel system may be under pressure. If you hear a hissing sound near the fuel filler door (capless system), do not refuel until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may spray out, which could cause serious personal injury.
• Avoid fuelling your vehicle when the outside temperature is high, this may lead to increased fuel evaporation and could cause serious personal injury.
•  The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static electricity, which can cause fire if fuel is pumped into an ungrounded fuel container.
•  Ethanol and gasoline may contain benzene, which is a cancer-causing agent.
• Always switch off the engine and do not smoke when refueling. Never allow sparks or open flames near the filler neck.
•  Avoid inhaling fuel vapors.

Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel:

• Automotive fuels can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. Fuels such as gasoline is highly toxic and if swallowed can cause death or permanent injury. If fuel is swallowed, call a physician immediately, even if no symptoms are immediately apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be visible for hours.
•  Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical attention could lead to permanent injury.
• Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is splashed on the skin, clothing or both, promptly remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
• Breathing gasoline vapors or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. In sensitive individuals, serious personal injury or sickness may result. If fuel is splashed on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Consult a physician immediately if you experience an adverse reaction.

REFUELLING

• Do not attempt to start the engine if you have filled the fuel tank with the incorrect fuel. This could damage the engine. Have the system checked by a properly trained technician immediately.
•  The best time to refuel the vehicle is when the atmospheric temperature is cooler. This will avoid fuel evaporating due to heat while filling.
•  Do not always completely fill up your fuel tank unless it is for long distance driving. A filled-up tank will increase the load and consume extra fuel.

The fuel pump is installed inside the fuel tank, so that it can dissipate its heat through the fuel. To prevent damage to the fuel pump, always fill the fuel tank before it is empty.

Avoid Refuelling when the fuel tank at the station is being filled. This will surge up the deposits which may cause blockages in your vehicle's fuel system and lead to poor engine operation and other failures.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

Drive Start

Electronically controlled and fuel injected modern engines can properly monitor air flow and intake air temperature. Therefore it is not necessary to preheat the engine.
Drive normally during a cold start to let the engine achieve its normal working temperature quickly.

Steady Speed

Maintain a constant speed during driving. Even when you need to accelerate, do it gradually. If you step hard on the accelerator, the quantity of fuel injection will increase rapidly, increasing the fuel consumption and emissions. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and avoid sudden acceleration.

Avoid High Speed

Driving at a high speed on the freeway, will increase air resistance and fuel consumption. The most fuel efficient speed on the freeway is between 80 km/h (50 mph) to 100 km/h (62 mph). Ensure all the windows are closed to aid fuel consumption.

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Warning: Do not exceed the maximum front and rear axle loads for your vehicle

Unnecessary items carried in the vehicle will add extra weight causing increased fuel consumption.

Regular Maintenance and Care

Good maintenance of the engine and proper tire pressure will significantly influence fuel consumption. There are many other aspects of your vehicle that need regular inspection and maintenance. Visit an Authorized Ford dealer periodically for better maintenance and care of your vehicle.

ABS warning lamp

If it illuminates when you are driving, this indicates a malfunction. You will continue to have normal braking (without ABS). Have the system checked by a properly trained technician as soon as possible.

Braking noise

• When the brake is applied, noise may be heard. This is normal. These noises are due to cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt or mud.

Disc brakes

Wet brake discs result in reduced braking efficiency. Dab the brake pedal when driving in heavy rain or from a car wash to remove the film of water from the brake discs.

Parking brakes

The parking brake dragline will slightly increase in length due to the continuous usage as it is made of metal wires which may stretch. This is normal and does not affect the braking performance.

Corrosion on brake disk

Brake discs are made of iron and if they are not used for long time, they might show some corrosion. This is normal and does not affect the braking performance.
The corrosion will be removed once the vehicle has been driven.

Brake disk heating

Normal brake operation involves friction between the brake disk and the brake pad. This is a process of converting kinetic energy into heat energy, so the brake disk will generate heat.

Warning: Do not touch the brake disc or brake when it is hot.

HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

The ABS will not eliminate the risks when:

• You drive too close to the vehicle in front of you.
• The vehicle is aquaplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
• When the system is operating, the brake pedal will pulse and may travel further. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal as normal. You may also hear a noise from the system. This is normal.

Warning: Do not touch the brake disc or brake when it is hot.

PARKING BRAKES

Vehicle With Automatic Transmission

• If you park your vehicle on a hill and facing uphill move the transmission selector lever to position P and turn the steering wheel away from the curb.
• If you park your vehicle on a hill and facing downhill move the transmission selector lever to position P and turn the steering wheel toward the curb.

Warning: Always set the parking brake fully and leave your vehicle with the transmission selector lever in position P.

Vehicle With Manual Transmission

• If you park your vehicle on a hill and facing uphill select first gear and turn the steering wheel away from the curb.
• If you park your vehicle on a hill and facing downhill select reverse gear and trun the steering wheel toward the curb.

All Vehicles

To apply the parking brake:

1. Press the foot brake pedal firmly.

2. Pull the parking brake lever up to its fullest extent.

To release the parking brake:

1. Press the brake pedal firmly.

2.Pull the lever up slightly.

3. Press the release button and push the lever down.

• Do not press the release button while pulling the lever up.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Reverse gear

A new vehicle has to experience a breaking-in period. You will feel some resistance and hear some noise when engaging reverse gear. The reverse gear is different from other gears and the frictional resistance is higher. Proper engaging of the gears can reduce noise. To avoid shifting noise when engaging reverse gear, wait approximately three seconds with the clutch depressed while the vehicle is stationary. Proper handling of your vehicle will protect the transmission and reduce clutch and tire wear.

Warning: Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle is stationary.

•  Do not drive your vehicle with the clutch partially depressed. This will damage the clutch and consume more fuel.

Neutral gear

With the transmission in neutral, the engine auxiliary braking will be absent resulting in increased braking distance.
When neutral is engaged, the vehicle will be in idle mode. The fuel consumed in idle mode is often more than when the vehicle is going downhill with the gears engaged. So driving downhill with the vehicle in neutral gear will not save fuel.

• Engage neutral gear only when the vehicle is stationary.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Neutral Gear

With the transmission in neutral, the engine auxiliary braking will be absent resulting in increased braking distance. Never engage neutral gear while driving as this could cause transmission damage due to lack of lubrication and cooling.

• Engage neutral gear only when the vehicle is stationary

As various standards exist, manufacturers are able to implement a variety of profiles in their bluetooth devices. Because of this, an incompatibility can occur between the bluetooth device and the system, which in some cases may limit system functionality. To avoid this situation, only recommended devices should be used.

Please visit the website http://www.ford-mobile-connectivity.com for full details