Ford Focus Electric (2018 year). Manual - part 43

If you have to add more than 1.1 qt (1 L) of
coolant per month, have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible. Operating an
electric motor with a low level of coolant
can result in electric motor overheating
and possible electric motor damage.

Note: During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.

In case of emergency, you can add a large
amount of water without coolant in order
to reach a vehicle service location. In this
instance, qualified personnel:

1.

Must drain the cooling system.

2. Chemically clean the coolant system.

3. Refill with coolant as soon as possible.

Water alone, without coolant, can cause
electric motor damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.

Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute:
•

Alcohol.

•

Methanol.

•

Brine.

•

Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze.

Alcohol and other liquids can cause electric
motor damage from overheating or
freezing.

Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of
the coolant.

Recycled Coolant

Ford Motor Company does not recommend
the use of recycled coolant since a
Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.

Dispose of used coolant in the appropriate
manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.

Severe Climates

If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•

It may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.

•

A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point
protection. Coolant concentrations
above 60% decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause electric motor
damage.

If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•

You can decrease the coolant
concentration to 40%.

•

Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause electric motor
damage.

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme
climates should use prediluted coolant for
optimum cooling system and electric
motor protection.

BRAKE FLUID CHECK

WARNINGS

Do not use any fluid other than the
recommended brake fluid as this will
reduce brake efficiency. Use of

incorrect fluid could result in the loss of
vehicle control, serious personal injury or
death.

WARNINGS

Only use brake fluid from a sealed
container. Contamination with dirt,
water, petroleum products or other

materials may result in brake system
damage or failure. Failure to adhere to this
warning could result in the loss of vehicle
control, serious personal injury or death.

Do not allow the fluid to touch your
skin or eyes. If this happens, rinse the
affected areas immediately with

plenty of water and contact your physician.

A fluid level between the MAX and
MIN lines is within the normal
operating range and there is no need

to add fluid. A fluid level not in the normal
operating range could compromise the
performance of the system. Have your
vehicle checked immediately.

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To avoid fluid contamination, the reservoir
cap must remain in place and fully tight,
unless you are adding fluid.

Only use fluid that meets Ford
specifications.

WASHER FLUID CHECK

When adding fluid, use a mixture of washer
fluid and water to help prevent freezing
and improve the cleaning capability.  For
information on fluid dilution follow the
manufacturer's instructions.

Note: The reservoir supplies the front and
rear washer systems.

CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY

WARNINGS

Batteries normally produce explosive
gases which can cause personal
injury. Therefore, do not allow

flames, sparks or lighted substances to
come near the battery. When working near
the battery, always shield your face and
protect your eyes. Always provide correct
ventilation.

When lifting a plastic-cased battery,
excessive pressure on the end walls
could cause acid to flow through the

vent caps, resulting in personal injury and
damage to the vehicle or battery. Lift the
battery with a battery carrier or with your
hands on opposite corners.

Keep batteries out of reach of
children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or

clothing. Shield your eyes when working
near the battery to protect against possible
splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of
15 minutes and get prompt medical
attention. If acid is swallowed, call a
physician immediately.

Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands after

handling.

Your vehicle is fitted with a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery which normally
does not require additional water.

Note: After cleaning or replacing the
battery, make sure you reinstall the battery
cover or shield.

When a battery replacement is required,
you must use a recommended
replacement battery that matches the
electrical requirements of the vehicle.

Note: Contact an authorized dealer for low
voltage battery access, testing or
replacement.

To make sure the battery management
system works correctly, do not connect an
electrical device ground connection
directly to the low voltage battery negative
post. This can cause inaccurate
measurements of the battery condition
and potential incorrect system operation.

Note: If you add electrical accessories or
components to the vehicle, it may adversely
affect the low voltage battery performance
and durability. This may also affect the
performance of other electrical systems in
the vehicle.

For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the
top of the battery clean and dry.

If you see any corrosion on the battery or
terminals, remove the cables from the
terminals and clean with a wire brush. You
can neutralize the acid with a solution of
baking soda and water.

A computer electronically controls your
vehicle. The power of the low voltage
battery maintains the memory of some
settings, for example, clock setting or radio
presets. When the low voltage battery is
disconnected and then connected, these
settings erase.

To restore the settings, do the following:

1.

Apply the parking brake.

2. Shift into park (P) or neutral (N).

3. Switch off all accessories.

4. Press the brake pedal and start your

vehicle.

5. Reset the clock.

6. Reset the bounce-back feature.  See

Power Windows (page 71).

7.

Reset the radio station presets.  See
Audio System (page 223).

Make sure that you dispose of old batteries
in an environmentally friendly way.  Seek
advice from your local authority about
recycling old batteries.

If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery, we
recommend that you disconnect the
battery cables to maintain battery charge
for quick starting.

CHECKING THE WIPER
BLADES

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Run the tip of your fingers over the edge of
the blade to check for roughness.

Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid
or water applied with a soft sponge or
cloth.

CHANGING THE FRONT WIPER
BLADES

Note:  If streaks or smears appear on the
windshield, clean the windshield and the
wiper blades.  If that does not resolve the
issue, install new wiper blades.

Service Position

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Set the windshield wipers in the service
position to change the wiper blades.  The
windshield wipers return to the starting
position when you switch the ignition on.

Note: You can use the service position in
winter to provide easier access to the wiper
blades for freeing them from snow and ice.
Make sure the windshield is free from snow
and ice before you switch the ignition on.

1.

Switch the ignition on.

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A

2. Switch the ignition off and press and

hold the wiper lever in position A within
three seconds.

3. Release the wiper lever when the

windshield wipers reach the service
position.

Note: You can also move the wiper arms
to the service position manually when the
ignition is off. Do not move the wiper arms
to the service position manually when the
ignition is on. The wiper arms lock when you
switch the ignition on.

Changing the Windshield Wiper
Blades

Note: Do not hold the wiper blade when
lifting the wiper arm.

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1

1

2

1.

Lift the wiper arm and then press the
wiper blade locking buttons together.

Note: Make sure that the wiper arm does
not spring back against the glass when the
wiper blade is not attached.

2. Slightly rotate the wiper blade.

3. Remove the wiper blade.

4. To install, reverse the removal

procedure.

Note: Make sure that the wiper blade locks
into place.