FORD 2001 Focus - Manual (Page 208)

Maintenance and care
208
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
• the engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red area.
• the MultiĆfunction warning
light: automatic transaxle/
cooling system will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset
overĆtemperature condition, the
engine will automatically switch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each
disabled cylinder acts as an air
pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will
still operate, however:
• the engine power will be limited.
• the air conditioning system will
be disabled.
• the Check engine warning light
also illuminates.
Continued operation will increase
the engine temperature and the
engine will completely shut down,
causing steering and braking effort
to increase.
Once the engine temperature cools,
the engine can be reĆstarted. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.