2008 Ford Focus Owner's Manual

2008 Ford Focus owners manual
Year:
2008
Make:
Ford
Model:
Focus
Rating:
(5)

Online manual

Size:
2.15 MB

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
1
Introduction
4
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
4
CONGRATULATIONS
4
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
5
Warning symbols in this guide
5
Warning symbols on your vehicle
5
Protecting the environment
5
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
5
SPECIAL NOTICES
5
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
5
Special instructions
6
Service Data Recording
6
Event Data Recording
6
Cell phone use
7
Export unique (Non–United States/Canada) vehicle specific information
7
Instrument Cluster
10
WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
10
GAUGES
15
Entertainment Systems
17
AUDIO SYSTEMS
17
AM/FM/single CD or in-dash CD6/MP3 satellite compatible sound system
17
Auxiliary input jack (Line in)-(if equipped)
25
USB port (if equipped)
27
GENERAL AUDIO INFORMATION
27
Satellite radio information (if equipped)
28
SYNC (IF EQUIPPED)
31
Climate Controls
32
MANUAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
32
Operating tips
33
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
34
Lights
35
HEADLAMP CONTROL
35
Fog lamp control (if equipped)
35
High beams
35
Flash to pass
36
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
36
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
36
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
37
Vertical aim adjustment
37
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
38
INTERIOR LAMPS
38
Map lamps
38
Ambient lighting (if equipped)
39
BULB REPLACEMENT
39
Headlamp condensation
39
Using the right bulbs
39
Replacing the interior bulbs
40
Replacing exterior bulbs
40
Replacing headlamp bulbs
40
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
41
Replacing side marker bulbs
42
Replacing tail/brake/backup lights and turn signal bulbs
42
Replacing fog lamp bulbs (if equipped)
43
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
43
Replacing high-mount brake lamp assembly
43
Driver Controls
44
MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
44
TILT STEERING WHEEL
45
CENTER CONSOLE
45
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12VDC)
45
POWER WINDOWS
46
One touch down (AUTO)
47
Window lock (if equipped)
47
INTERIOR MIRROR
47
Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror (if equipped)
48
EXTERIOR MIRRORS
48
Power side view mirrors (if equipped)
48
Heated outside mirrors (if equipped)
49
SPEED CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
49
Setting speed control
49
Disengaging speed control
50
Resuming a set speed
50
Increasing speed while using speed control
51
Reducing speed while using speed control
51
Turning off speed control
52
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS (IF EQUIPPED)
52
Radio control features
52
MOON ROOF (SUNROOF) (IF EQUIPPED)
53
MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
55
Selectable features
55
Reset
55
Info menu
55
Odometer/Trip odometer
55
Distance to empty (DTE)
55
Average fuel economy (AFE)
56
Instantaneous fuel economy
56
Setup menu
56
Reset to English (if in another language)
57
System check
57
Units (English/Metric)
57
Autolock
57
Autounlock
58
Language
58
System warnings
58
POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
60
Locks and Security
61
KEYS
61
POWER DOOR LOCKS
61
Smart locks
61
Autolock (if equipped)
61
Deactivating/activating autolock
62
Power door unlock/lock procedure
63
Autounlock feature (if equipped)
63
Deactivating/activating autounlock feature
64
Power door lock switch autounlock enable/disable procedure
64
CHILDPROOF DOOR LOCKS
65
INTERIOR LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT RELEASE
65
REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
67
Unlocking the doors
67
Passive locking (if equipped)
68
Programming unlocking mode (if equipped)
68
Locking the doors
68
Car finder
68
Sounding a panic alarm
69
Opening the luggage compartment
69
Replacing the battery
69
Replacing lost remote entry transmitters
70
How to reprogram your remote entry transmitters
70
SECURILOCK™ PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
71
Anti-theft indicator
71
Replacement keys
72
Programming spare keys
72
PERIMETER ALARM SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
73
Arming the system
73
Disarming the system
74
Triggering the anti-theft system
74
Seating and Safety Restraints
75
SEATING
75
Adjustable head restraints
75
Adjusting the front manual seat
78
Heated seats (if equipped)
80
Tip/slide front passenger seat (if equipped)
81
REAR SEATS
81
Folding down the rear seat
81
SAFETY RESTRAINTS
82
Personal Safety System™
82
How does the Personal Safety System™ work?
82
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints
83
Front crash severity sensor
83
Driver’s seat position sensor
83
Front passenger sensing system
83
Front safety belt usage sensors
84
Front outboard safety belt pretensioners
84
Front outboard safety belt energy management retractors
84
Determining if the Personal Safety System™ is operational
84
Safety belt precautions
85
Combination lap and shoulder belts
86
Energy management feature
87
Vehicle sensitive mode
87
Automatic locking mode
87
When to use the automatic locking mode
87
How to use the automatic locking mode
88
How to disengage the automatic locking mode
88
Safety belts with locking cinch tongue (rear center position only)
89
How to fasten the cinch tongue
89
Front safety belt height adjustment
90
Safety belt pretensioner
90
Safety belt extension assembly
91
Safety belt maintenance
91
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
91
Conditions of operation
92
Belt-Minder
92
One-time disable
95
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minder feature
95
AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
97
Important SRS precautions
97
Children and airbags
99
How does the airbag supplemental restraint system work?
99
Front passenger sensing system
101
Determining if the system is operational
106
Seat-mounted side airbag system
106
How does the side airbag system work?
107
Side curtain airbag system
108
How does the side air curtain system work?
110
Determining if the system is operational
111
Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles (including pretensioners)
112
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
112
Important child restraint precautions
113
Children and safety belts
113
Child booster seats
113
When children should use booster seats
114
Types of booster seats
114
The importance of shoulder belts
115
SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN
116
Child and infant or child safety seats
116
Installing child safety seats with combination lap and shoulder belts
117
Installing child safety seats in cinch tongue combination lap and shoulder belt seating positions (rear center position only)
120
Attaching child safety seats with tether straps
122
Attaching child safety seats with Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children (LATCH) attachments for child seat anchors
124
Tires, Wheels and Loading
126
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
126
Treadwear
126
Traction AA A B C
126
Temperature A B C
127
TIRES
127
Glossary of tire terminology
127
INFLATING YOUR TIRES
128
TIRE CARE
130
Inspecting your tires
130
Tire wear
131
Damage
131
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
132
Tire Replacement Requirements
132
Safety practices
133
Highway hazards
134
Tire and wheel alignment
134
Tire rotation
134
INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL
135
Information on “P” type tires
136
Additional information contained on the tire sidewall for “LT” type tires
139
Information on “T” type tires
140
Location of the tire label
140
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
140
Understanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
142
When your temporary spare tire is installed
142
When you believe your system is not operating properly
143
When inflating your tires
144
How temperature affects your tire pressure
144
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
145
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
145
TRAILER TOWING
150
RECREATIONAL TOWING
150
Driving
151
STARTING
151
Positions of the ignition
151
Preparing to start your vehicle
151
Important safety precautions
152
Starting the engine
154
Guarding against exhaust fumes
154
Important ventilating information
154
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
154
BRAKES
156
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
156
Using ABS
157
ABS warning lamp
157
Parking brake
157
TRACTION CONTROL™ (IF EQUIPPED)
158
STEERING
159
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
160
Brake-shift interlock
160
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4–speed automatic transmission
161
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
163
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
164
Using the clutch
164
Recommended shift speeds
165
Reverse
165
Parking your vehicle
165
Removing the key
165
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
166
Roadside Emergencies
167
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
167
Getting roadside assistance
167
Using roadside assistance
168
HAZARD FLASHER CONTROL
168
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
169
FUSES AND RELAYS
169
Fuses
169
Standard fuse amperage rating and color
170
Passenger compartment fuse panel
170
Power distribution box
173
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
175
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
176
Stopping and securing the vehicle
178
Tire change procedure
178
TEMPORARY MOBILITY KIT (IF EQUIPPED)
181
General information
183
Tips for use of the temporary mobility kit
183
What to do when a tire is punctured
184
First stage: Reinflating the tire with sealing compound and air
184
Second stage: Checking tire pressure
187
What to do after the tire has been sealed
187
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
191
JUMP STARTING
192
Preparing your vehicle
192
Connecting the jumper cables
193
Jump starting
195
Removing the jumper cables
195
WRECKER TOWING
197
Emergency towing
198
Customer Assistance
199
GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED
199
At home
199
Away from home
199
Additional Assistance
200
IN CALIFORNIA (U.S. ONLY)
201
THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) AUTO LINE PROGRAM (U.S. ONLY)
202
UTILIZING THE MEDIATION/ARBITRATION PROGRAM (CANADA ONLY)
203
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
203
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA
204
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER’S LITERATURE
205
Obtaining a French owner’s guide
205
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (U.S. ONLY)
205
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (CANADA ONLY)
206
Cleaning
207
WASHING THE EXTERIOR
207
WAXING
208
PAINT CHIPS
208
ALUMINUM WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS
208
ENGINE
209
PLASTIC (NON-PAINTED) EXTERIOR PARTS
209
WINDOWS AND WIPER BLADES
210
INSTRUMENT PANEL/INTERIOR TRIM AND CLUSTER LENS
210
INTERIOR
211
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
212
UNDERBODY
212
FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY CAR CARE PRODUCTS
213
Maintenance and Specifications
214
SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
214
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
214
Working with the engine off
214
Working with the engine on
215
OPENING THE HOOD
215
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
216
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
217
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
218
ENGINE OIL
218
Checking the engine oil
218
Adding engine oil
219
Engine oil and filter recommendations
220
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil
220
BATTERY
221
ENGINE COOLANT
223
Checking engine coolant
223
Adding engine coolant
224
Recycled engine coolant
226
Coolant refill capacity
227
Severe climates
227
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
227
How fail-safe cooling works
228
When fail-safe mode is activated
228
FUEL FILTER
229
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
229
Important safety precautions
229
Refueling
231
Fuel filler cap
231
Choosing the right fuel
232
Octane recommendations
233
Fuel quality
233
Cleaner air
234
Running out of fuel
234
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
234
Measuring techniques
234
Filling the tank
234
Calculating fuel economy
235
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
236
Habits
236
Maintenance
236
Conditions
237
EPA fuel economy estimates
237
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
237
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
238
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
239
POWER STEERING FLUID
240
BRAKE/CLUTCH FLUID
241
TRANSMISSION FLUID
241
Checking automatic transmission fluid
241
Low fluid level
242
Correct fluid level
242
High fluid level
242
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
242
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
243
AIR FILTER
243
Air filter element (PZEV)
243
Changing the air filter element (Non-PZEV only)
244
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
244
MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
246
ENGINE DATA
248
Engine drivebelt routing
248
IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
249
Safety Compliance Certification Label
249
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
249
TRANSMISSION CODE DESIGNATIONS
250
Accessories
251
GENUINE FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
251
Exterior style
251
Interior style
251
Lifestyle
251
Peace of mind
252
Index
253

2008 Ford Focus Overview

Introduction

The 2008 Ford Focus combines reliability, efficiency, and a fun driving experience in a compact vehicle that's perfect for daily commuting and weekend adventures. Renowned for its well-balanced handling and spacious interior, the Focus is a favorite among drivers seeking a car that doesn't compromise on comfort or functionality. With its sleek design and solid build, the 2008 model is an ideal choice for both new and experienced drivers alike.

Powertrains

The 2008 Ford Focus is equipped with a versatile powertrain lineup that offers both performance and fuel economy. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 143 horsepower, providing a smooth drive with commendable acceleration. For those seeking a sportier feel, there's an optional 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that ups the output to 151 horsepower. This engine pairs well with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic, ensuring a smooth driving experience that adapts to various driving styles.

Trims

The 2008 Focus comes in several trims, catering to a range of preferences and budgets. The base S trim offers essential features, while the SE trim adds enhancements such as upgraded audio and available alloy wheels. The sporty SES trim stands out with its distinctive styling elements and higher-end interior materials, making it a great choice for those wanting a touch of flair. The practical and fully loaded SEL trim tops the lineup, offering premium comfort and additional convenience features.

Features

This model's features make it a competitive choice in the compact segment. Standard features include air conditioning, full power accessories, and a CD player. Higher trims offer options like leather upholstery, a sunroof, and advanced audio systems. Safety is prioritized with standard airbags and available anti-lock brakes, providing peace of mind for daily drivers.

Owners Manual

The 2008 Ford Focus owner's manual serves as an essential resource for owners, providing detailed information on the vehicle's operation, maintenance guidelines, and troubleshooting tips. It ensures drivers can maximize the car's performance and longevity, making it an invaluable tool for keeping the Focus in top condition.

User manual download

The Ford Focus owner manual for the 2008 model year is to be found in PDF downloadable format on this page. The owner manual for the model year 2008 is free and in English, but the repair manuals are usually not easy to get and may cost more.

Posted by, John Mana author bio image
A passionate guy about car models, makes, and manuals.

Manual Questions

Do you have questions about the 2008 Ford Focus owners manual?
Fill the form below and someone will help you!