Driving -> Brakes for Your Ford Fusion 4 Door First Generation (2006-2012)

Driving  
become very hot and may result in an electrical shock or fire. Be sure  
to check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup once the system  
has been operating for approximately a half hour.  
Finally, have the engine block heater system checked during your fall  
tune-up to be sure it’s in good working order.  
How to use the engine block heater  
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean  
them, use a dry cloth.  
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block  
heater will use .4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours of energy per hour of use. Your  
factory installed block heater system does not have a thermostat;  
however, maximum temperature is attained after approximately three  
hours of operation. Block heater operation longer than three hours will  
not improve system performance and will unnecessarily use additional  
electricity.  
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the  
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the  
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.  
BRAKES  
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding  
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out  
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has  
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the  
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.  
Refer to Warning lights and  
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chimes in the Instrument Cluster  
chapter for information on the brake  
system warning light.  
BRAKE  
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)  
Your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This  
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by  
keeping the brakes from locking. The ABS operates by detecting the  
onset of wheel lockup during brake application and compensates for this  
tendency. Noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal pulsation  
may be observed during ABS braking; any pulsation or mechanical noise  
you may feel or hear is normal. In addition, the ABS performs a  
self-check after you start the engine and begin to drive away. A brief  
mechanical noise may be heard during this test. This is normal.  
214  
2011 Fusion (fsn)  
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing  
USA (fus)  
Driving  
Using ABS  
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake  
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the  
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping  
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain  
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.  
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance and does not  
decrease the time necessary to apply the brakes.  
ABS warning lamp  
The ABS lamp in the instrument  
cluster momentarily illuminates  
ABS  
when the ignition is turned on. If  
the light does not illuminate during  
start up, remains on or flashes, the  
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.  
Even when the ABS is disabled and  
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the ABS light is on, normal braking  
is still effective. If your BRAKE  
warning lamp illuminates with the  
parking brake released, have your  
brake system serviced immediately.  
BRAKE  
Parking brake  
To set the parking brake (1), pull  
the parking brake handle up as far  
as possible.  
2
1
The BRAKE warning lamp will  
illuminate and will remain  
illuminated until the parking brake  
is released.  
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BRAKE  
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the handle up slightly,  
then push the handle down.  
215  
2011 Fusion (fsn)  
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing  
USA (fus)