Instruments and controls

Many technical components between the front and rear wheels of your Focus, as soon as you turn the ignition key, are «supervised» electronic nodes. This increases safety and is very useful for you: you can navigate by the main indicators and control lights while driving. Please don't underestimate their cues: there's always a good reason for warning cues on the Focus dashboard.

Oil pressure, airbag and ABS warning lights go out shortly after starting the engine

This applies equally to the oil pressure, airbag and ABS health indicator lights, which only light up for a few seconds when the engine is started. But if the bulbs remain dark all the time or flash while driving, proceed from the presence of a malfunction in the system. To avoid more extensive damage and unnecessary danger, take your Focus to a Ford workshop immediately for diagnosis.

False information on the dashboard - this is also possible

Sometimes electronic on-board systems interfere with themselves: at times «fantasize» not the systems themselves, but their sensors or connecting wires, sometimes faulty switches provoke false information. If, for example, you notice that several indicators are out of order at the same time, then often only one voltage regulator is to blame. If this is the case, then here is a good tip - you need to quickly identify and eliminate the cause.

Routine for the professional - pre-trip visual inspection

Before you hit the road in your Focus, take a close look at the dashboard - its normal appearance has long been imprinted in your subconscious (the number of indicator devices depends on the configuration of your model), small deviations will immediately catch your eye.


Does the clock in the dashboard work?

When the ignition is on, do the indicator lights for battery charging, oil pressure, and handbrake light up? (with the handbrake on), airbags and ABS functional indicator? If the Focus has a diesel engine, the glow plug warning light also comes on for a few seconds before starting.

Do not forget to also activate the switches for the direction indicators and alarms, heated rear window (windshield), fog lights and fog lights. Check if the corresponding control lights work.

Do the lights on the switches and dashboard work when the parking lights are on?

Operate the left combination lever - do the turn signal and high beam warning lights work?

Do the battery charging and oil pressure warning lights go out after the engine starts? Does the airbag warning light and ABS function indicator turn off? Does the pre-glow indicator light go out immediately after the diesel engine is started?

Keep an eye on the speedometer and tachometer while driving.