Driving -> MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION for Your Ford Focus 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2010)

Driving  
2 (Second)  
This position allows for second gear only.  
Provides engine braking.  
Use to start-up on slippery roads.  
To return to D (Overdrive), move the gearshift lever into the D  
(Overdrive) position.  
Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transaxle to  
downshift to second gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.  
1 (First)  
Provides maximum engine braking.  
Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.  
Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)  
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.  
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow  
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 necessary, try turning the Traction Controlsystem off. This will allow  
the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck vehicle. For more  
information, refer to Traction Control(if equipped) in this chapter.  
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating  
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.  
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the  
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.  
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)  
1
2
3
4
5
R
Using the clutch  
The manual transaxle has a starter interlock that prevents cranking the  
engine unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.  
148  
2007 Focus (foc)  
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)  
USA (fus)  
Driving  
To start the vehicle:  
1. Make sure the parking brake is fully set.  
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor, then put the gearshift lever in the  
neutral position.  
3. Start the engine.  
4. Press the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever to the desired  
gear; 1 (First) or R (Reverse).  
5. Release the parking brake, then slowly release the clutch pedal while  
slowly pressing on the accelerator.  
During each shift, the clutch pedal must be fully depressed to the floor.  
Make sure the floor mat is properly positioned so it doesn’t interfere with  
the full extension of the clutch pedal.  
Failure to fully depress the clutch pedal to the floor may cause  
increased shift efforts, prematurely wear transaxle components  
or damage the transaxle.  
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use the  
clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a  
hill. These actions will reduce the life of the clutch.  
Recommended shift speeds  
Do not downshift into 1 (First) when your vehicle is moving  
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h). This will damage the clutch.  
Upshift according to the following chart:  
Recommended upshifts (for best fuel economy) when  
accelerating  
5-speed manual transaxle  
Shift from:  
1 - 2  
2 - 3  
3 - 4  
4 - 5  
14 mph (23 km/h)  
24 mph (39 km/h)  
32 mph (51 km/h)  
44 mph (71 km/h)  
Reverse  
1. Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift into  
R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.  
2. Hold the clutch pedal down and move the gearshift lever into the  
neutral position. Wait at least three seconds before shifting into R  
(Reverse).  
149  
2007 Focus (foc)  
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)  
USA (fus)  
Driving  
The gearshift lever can only be moved into R (Reverse) by moving it  
from left of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) before shifting into R (Reverse).  
This is a lockout feature that protects the transmission from  
accidentally being shifted into R (Reverse) from 5 (Fifth).  
If R (Reverse) is not fully engaged, press the clutch pedal down and  
return the gearshift to the neutral position. Release the clutch pedal for  
a moment, then press it down and shift to R (Reverse) again.  
Parking your vehicle  
1. Apply the brake and shift into the neutral position.  
2. Fully apply the parking brake, then shift into 1 (First).  
3. Turn the ignition off.  
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move unexpectedly  
and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set the parking brake  
fully.  
Removing the key  
Turn the ignition to position 1 (LOCK) and remove the key.  
DRIVING THROUGH WATER  
If driving through deep or standing  
water is unavoidable, proceed very  
slowly especially when the depth is  
not known. Never drive through  
water that is higher than the bottom  
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the  
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).  
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.  
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your  
engine or your vehicle may stall. Driving through deep water where  
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the  
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.  
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your  
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.  
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.  
150  
2007 Focus (foc)  
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)  
USA (fus)