Ford FOCUS RS 2017 Owner's Manual Supplement page 17

Note: Do not rock the vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur or the
engine may overheat.
Sand
Most of the time traction control improves
tire traction by managing wheel slip
through brake, engine, and all-wheel drive
calibrations. However, during low speed
driving, disabling traction control in deep
sand can help keep the wheels moving to
maintain vehicle momentum.
When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels on the most solid area of the trail.
Do not reduce tire pressures, shift to a
lower gear and drive steadily through the
terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly and
avoid spinning the wheels.
When driving at slow speeds in sand under
high outside temperatures, use a low gear
when possible. Using a low gear maximizes
engine and transmission cooling capability.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle
momentum can work against you and
cause the vehicle to become stuck to the
point that assistance may be required from
another vehicle. Remember, you may be
able to back out the way you came if you
proceed with caution.
Note: You may be able to reverse out the
way you came if you proceed with caution.
Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand for
an extended period of time. This could
cause the system to overheat and default
to front-wheel drive only mode. If this
occurs a message appears in the
information display. To resume normal
all-wheel drive function as soon as
possible, stop the vehicle in a safe location
and switch the engine off for at least 10
minutes. After the all-wheel drive system
2017 Focus RS (CEW) RS, Canada/United States of America, HM5J 19A285 DA enUSA, Edition date: 201611, First Printing
All-Wheel Drive
has adequately cooled and the engine has
been restarted, the message turns off and
normal all-wheel drive function returns. If
you do not switch the engine off, the
message only turns off, when the system
adequately cools and the normal all-wheel
drive function returns.
Note: Under severe operating conditions,
the air conditioning may turn on and off to
protect the engine from overheating.
Mud and Water
If you must drive through water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability may
be limited. See Driving Through Water
(page 23).
Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly
while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even all-wheel drive vehicles can lose
traction in slick mud. Apply the accelerator
slowly and avoid spinning the wheels.
After driving through mud, clean off
excessive mud that has become stuck to
rotating drive shafts, wheels and tires.
Excessive mud stuck on these components
may result in an imbalance that could
cause damage not covered by the vehicle
Warranty.
If the transmission, power transfer unit or
rear drive unit is submerged in water have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
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