Ford Focus (2017 year). Manual — part 32

RUNNING OUT OF FUEL

Running out of fuel can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle Warranty.

If your vehicle runs out of fuel:
•

Add a minimum of 1.3 gal (5 L) of fuel
to restart the engine. If your vehicle is
out of fuel and on a steep slope, more
fuel may be required.

•

You may need to switch the ignition
from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to
pump the fuel from the tank to the
engine. When restarting, cranking time
takes a few seconds longer than
normal.

Filling a Portable Fuel Container

Use the following guidelines to avoid
electrostatic charge build-up, which can
produce a spark, when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
•

Only use an approved fuel container to
transfer fuel to your vehicle. Place the
container on the ground when filling it.

•

Do not fill a fuel container when it is
inside your vehicle (including the cargo
area).

•

Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact
with the fuel container when filling it.

•

Do not use a device that holds the fuel
pump nozzle lever in the fill position.

Adding Fuel From a Portable Fuel
Container

WARNINGS

Do not insert the nozzle of a fuel
container or an aftermarket funnel
into the fuel system filler neck. This

may damage the fuel system filler neck or
its seal and cause fuel to run onto the
ground.

WARNINGS

Do not try to pry open or push open
the capless fuel system with foreign
objects. This could damage the fuel

system and its seal and cause injury to you
or others.

Do not dispose of fuel in the
household refuse or the public
sewage system. Use an authorized

waste disposal facility.

When refueling the vehicle fuel tank from
a fuel container, use the fuel filler funnel
included with your vehicle. See Fuel Filler
Funnel Location (page 130).

Note: Do not use aftermarket funnels as
they will not work with the capless fuel
system and can damage it.

When refueling the vehicle fuel tank from
a fuel container, do the following:

1.

Fully open the fuel tank filler door until
it engages.

2. Fully insert the fuel filler funnel into the

fuel tank filler pipe opening.

E157452

3. Add fuel to your vehicle from the fuel

container.

4. Remove the fuel filler funnel from the

fuel tank filler pipe opening.

5. Fully close the fuel tank filler door.

6. Clean the fuel filler funnel and place it

back in your vehicle or correctly dispose
of it.

Note: Extra funnels can be purchased from
an authorized dealer if you choose to
dispose of the funnel.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER

WARNING

Do not park or idle your vehicle over
dry leaves, dry grass or other
combustible materials. The exhaust

will radiate a considerable amount of heat
during use, and after you have switched
the engine off. This is a potential fire
hazard.

Driving with a Catalytic Converter

WARNINGS

Avoid running out of fuel.

Do not crank the engine for long
periods.

Do not run the engine when a spark
plug lead is disconnected.

Do not push-start or tow-start your
vehicle. Use booster cables. See
Jump Starting the Vehicle (page

191).

Do not switch the ignition off when
driving.

REFUELING

WARNINGS

When refueling always shut the
engine off and never allow sparks or
open flames near the fuel tank filler

valve. Never smoke or use a cell phone
while refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely
hazardous under certain conditions. Avoid
inhaling excess fumes.

The fuel system may be under
pressure. If you hear a hissing sound
near the fuel filler door, do not refuel

until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out, which could cause serious
personal injury.

Do not remove the fuel pump nozzle
from its fully inserted position when
refueling.

Do not overfill the fuel tank. The
pressure in an overfilled tank may
cause leakage and lead to fuel spray

and fire.

Stop refueling when the fuel pump
nozzle automatically shuts off for the
first time. Failure to follow this will

fill the expansion space in the fuel tank and
could lead to fuel overflowing.

Wait at least 10 seconds before
removing the fuel pump nozzle to
allow any residual fuel to drain into

the fuel tank.

Do not try to pry open or push open
the capless fuel system with foreign
objects. This could damage the fuel

system and its seal and cause injury to you
or others.

Note: Your vehicle does not have a fuel filler
cap.

E206911

A

B

C

D

Left-hand side. To open the fuel
filler door, press the center rear
edge of the fuel filler door and
then release.

A

Right-hand side. To open the
fuel filler door, press the center
rear edge of the fuel filler door
and then release.

B

Left-hand side. Pull the rear of
the fuel tank filler door to open
it.

C

Right-hand side. Pull the rear of
the fuel tank filler door to open
it.

D

1.

Fully open the fuel tank filler door until
it engages.

E139202

A

Note: When you insert the correct size fuel
pump nozzle a spring loaded inhibitor will
open.

2. Insert the fuel pump nozzle up to the

first notch on the nozzle A. Keep it
resting on the cover of the fuel tank
filler pipe opening.

E139203

A

B

3. Hold the fuel pump nozzle in position

B when refueling. Holding the fuel
nozzle in position A can affect the flow
of fuel and shut off the fuel nozzle
before the fuel tank is full.

E206912

A

B

4. Operate the fuel pump nozzle within

the area shown.

E119081

5. Slightly raise the fuel pump nozzle and

then slowly remove it.

6. Fully close the fuel tank filler door.

Note: Do not attempt to start the engine
if you have filled the fuel tank with incorrect
fuel. Incorrect fuel use can cause damage
not covered by the vehicle Warranty. Have
your vehicle checked immediately.

System Warnings

(If Equipped)

If the fuel filler inlet does not fully close a
warning message appears in the
information display.

1.

Stop your vehicle as soon as safely
possible and shift the transmission into
park (P) or neutral (N).

2. Apply the parking brake and switch the

ignition off.

3. Fully open the fuel tank filler door until

it engages.

4. Check the fuel filler inlet and the area

around it for any items or debris that
may be obstructing its movement.

5. Insert a fuel pump nozzle or the fuel

filler funnel provided with your vehicle
in to the fuel tank filler pipe opening.
This action should dislodge any debris
that may be preventing the fuel filler
inlet from fully closing.

Note: If this action corrects the problem
the message may not reset immediately. If
the message remains and the service engine
soon warning lamp appears in the
information display, have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

The advertised capacity is the maximum
amount of fuel that you can add to the fuel
tank after running out of fuel. Included in
the advertised capacity is an empty
reserve. The empty reserve is an
unspecified amount of fuel that remains
in the fuel tank when the fuel gauge
indicates empty.

Note: The amount of fuel in the empty
reserve varies and should not be relied upon
to increase driving range.

Filling the Fuel Tank

For consistent results when refueling:
•

Turn the ignition off before fueling; an
inaccurate reading results if the engine
is left running.

•

Use the same fill rate
(low-medium-high) each time the tank
is filled.

•

Allow no more than one automatic
shut-off when refueling.

Results are most accurate when the filling
method is consistent.