Ford Fusion Hybrid (2014 year). Manual — part 39

Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an
AWD vehicle may accelerate better than
a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice,
it won’t stop any faster, because as in other
vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels.
Do not become overconfident as to road
conditions.

Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for
stopping. Drive slower than usual and
consider using one of the lower gears. In
emergency stopping situations, apply the
brake steadily. Since your vehicle is
equipped with a four wheel (ABS), do not
“pump” the brakes. See Hints on Driving
With Anti-Lock Brakes (page 160). for
more information on the operation of the
anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Maintenance and Modifications

The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and
tested to provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty and durable load
carrying capability. For this reason, Ford
Motor Company strongly recommends that
you do not make modifications such as
adding or removing parts (such as lowering
kits or stabilizer bars) or by using
replacement parts not equivalent to the
original factory equipment.

Any modifications to a vehicle that raise
the center of gravity can make it more likely
the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss
of control. Ford Motor Company
recommends that caution be used with
any vehicle equipped with a high load or
device (such as ladder or luggage racks).

Failure to maintain your vehicle properly
may void the warranty, increase your repair
cost, reduce vehicle performance and
operational capabilities and adversely
affect driver and passenger safety.
Frequent inspection of vehicle chassis
components is recommended if the vehicle
is subjected to off-highway usage.

159

All-Wheel Drive

(If Equipped)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Note: 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. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
your vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
have it checked by an authorized dealer.

Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Alloy
Wheels (page 257).

E144522

See Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 81).

Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.

Brake Over Accelerator

In the event the accelerator pedal
becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal to
slow the vehicle and reduce engine power.
If you experience this condition, apply the
brakes and bring your vehicle to a safe
stop. Move the transmission selector lever
to position P, switch the engine off and
apply the parking brake. Inspect the
accelerator pedal for any interference. If
none are found and the condition persists,
have your vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized dealer.

Brake Assist

Brake assist detects when you brake
rapidly by measuring the rate at which you
press the brake pedal. It provides
maximum braking efficiency as long as you
press the pedal, and can reduce stopping
distances in critical situations.

Anti-lock Brake System

This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking.

This lamp momentarily
illuminates when you turn the
ignition on. If the light does not

illuminate during start up, remains on or
flashes, the system may be disabled. Have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer.

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If the system is disabled, normal
braking is still effective. If the
brake warning lamp illuminates

when you release the parking brake, have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer.

HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

Note: When the system is operating, the
brake pedal will pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake
pedal. You may also hear a noise from the
system. This is normal.

The anti-lock braking system will not
eliminate the risks when:

•

you drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you

•

your vehicle is hydroplaning

•

you take corners too fast

•

the road surface is poor.

160

Brakes

ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE

The electric parking brake replaces the
conventional handbrake. The operating
switch is located in the center console.

WARNING

Always set the parking brake and
leave your vehicle with the
transmission selector lever in

position P (automatic transmission) or in
position 1 or position R(manual
transmission).

Note: When you apply the electric parking
brake in certain conditions, for example, on
a steep hill, the electric parking brake may
reapply the brakes within three to ten
minutes.

Note: You may notice various noises when
you apply and release the electric parking
brake. This is normal and no cause for
concern.

Parking on a hill (vehicles with a
manual transmission)

If you park your vehicle facing uphill, move
the transmission selector lever to position
1 and turn the steering wheel away from
the curb. If you park your vehicle facing
downhill, move the transmission selector
lever to position R and turn the steering
wheel toward the curb.

Applying the electric parking brake

WARNING

If the brake system warning lamp
does not illuminate or flashes, there
could be a problem with your electric

parking brake. Have the system checked
by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.

Note: The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate for ten seconds, if the ignition is
turned off after the electric parking brake
has been applied, or the electric parking
brake has been applied after the ignition has
been turned off.

Note: The electric parking brake will not
automatically apply. You must apply the
electric parking brake using the electric
parking brake switch.

E147230

Pull the switch up to apply the electric
parking brake.

The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate to confirm that the electric
parking brake has been applied. See
Information Displays (page 85).

Applying the electric parking brake
when the vehicle is moving

WARNINGS

Applying the electric parking brake
while moving will result in use of the
anti-lock braking system. Do not use

the electric parking brake system when the
vehicle is moving unless the normal brake
system is unable to stop the vehicle.

161

Brakes

WARNINGS

With the exception of emergency
conditions (for example, the brake
pedal does not work or is blocked),

do not apply the electric parking brake
while the vehicle is moving. On bends, or
poor road surfaces or weather conditions,
emergency braking can cause the vehicle
to skid out of control or off the road.

If you apply the electric parking brake when
your vehicle is moving, the brake system
warning lamp will illuminate and a warning
chime will sound. See Information
Displays (page 85).

If your vehicle speed is above 4 mph (6
km/h), the braking force is applied as long
as the switch is pulled. Releasing or
pressing the switch or pressing the
accelerator pedal will stop the braking
force.

Releasing the electric parking
brake

E147231

You can release the electric parking brake
either manually by pressing the switch or
automatically.

Manual release

WARNING

If the brake system warning light
remains illuminated or flashes after
you have released the parking brake,

there could be a problem with you braking
system. Have the system checked by an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.

You can manually release the electric
parking brake by turning the ignition on,
pressing the brake pedal and then pressing
the electric parking brake switch.

When the electric parking brake is released,
the brake system warning lamp will turn
off.

Driving with a Trailer

Depending on the grade and the weight of
the trailer, your vehicle and trailer may roll
backwards slightly when you start on a
slope. To prevent this from happening, do
the following:

1.

Pull the switch up and hold it in this
position.

2. Drive your vehicle, then release the

switch when you notice that the engine
has developed sufficient driving force.

Automatic release - drive away release

Note: On automatic transmission vehicles,
the driver's door must be closed and the
driver's safety belt must be fastened before
this feature will operate.

Note: If the electric parking brake warning
lamp stays illuminated, the electric parking
brake will not automatically release. You
must release the electric parking brake using
the electric parking brake switch.

Note: The engine must be running and the
accelerator pedal must be pressed before
the drive away release feature will operate.

162

Brakes