Ford Focus (2017 year). Manual — part 42

Note: Do not apply bumper stickers and/or
repair compound to these areas, this can
cause degraded system performance.

If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor will appear in the
information display. Also the BLIS alert
indicators will remain ON and BLIS will no
longer provide any vehicle warnings. You
can clear the information display warning
but the alert indicators will remain
illuminated.

A "blocked" condition can be cleared in
two ways:
•

After the blockage in front of the
sensors is removed or the
rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or
stops, drive for a few minutes in traffic
to allow the sensors to detect passing
vehicles.

•

By cycling the ignition from ON to OFF
and then back ON.

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar with a
factory equipped trailer tow module and it
is towing a trailer, the sensors will
automatically turn the Blind Spot
Information System off. If your vehicle has
a tow bar but no factory equipped trailer
tow module, it is recommended to turn the
Blind Spot Information System off
manually. Operating the Blind Spot
Information System with a trailer attached
will cause poor system performance.

System Errors

If the system senses a problem with the
left or right sensor, the telltale will
illuminate and a message will appear in
the information display. See Information
Messages (page 95).

Switching the System Off and On

You can temporarily switch the Blind Spot
Information System off in the information
display. See General Information (page
91). When the Blind Spot Information
System switches off, you will not receive
alerts and the information display shows
a system off message. The telltale in the
cluster also illuminates. When you switch
the Blind Spot Information System on or
off, the alert indicators flash twice.

Note: The Blind Spot Information System
remembers the last selected on or off
setting.

You can also have the Blind Spot
Information System switched off
permanently at an authorized dealer. Once
switched off permanently, the system can
only be switched back on at an authorized
dealer.

CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT

WARNING

To help avoid personal injury, NEVER
use the Cross Traffic Alert system as
a replacement for using the interior

and exterior mirrors and looking over your
shoulder before backing out of a parking
space. Cross Traffic Alert is not a
replacement for careful driving.

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to warn you
of vehicles approaching from the sides
when the transmission is in reverse (R).

Using the System

Cross Traffic Alert turns on when you start
the engine and you shift into reverse (R).
Once shifted out of reverse (R), Cross
Traffic Alert turns off.

Note: Cross Traffic Alert only functions
while your transmission is in reverse (R).

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to detect
vehicles that approach with a speed up to
37 mph (60 km/h). Coverage decreases
when the sensors are partially, mostly or

fully obstructed. Reversing slowly helps
increase the coverage area and
effectiveness.

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In this first example, the left sensor is only
partially obstructed; zone coverage to the
right is nearly maximized.

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Zone coverage also decreases when
parking at shallow angles. Here, the left
sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage
on that side is severely limited.

System Lights, Messages and
Audible Alerts

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The Cross Traffic Alert illuminates an
amber alert indicator in the outside mirror
on the side of your vehicle the approaching
vehicle is coming from. Cross Traffic Alert
also sounds an audible alert and a
message appears in the information
display indicating a vehicle is coming from
the right or left. Cross Traffic Alert works
with the reverse sensing system that
sounds its own series of tones. See Rear
Parking Aid (page 151).

E205199

The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,
snow or bumper stickers to obstruct these
areas, this can cause degraded system
performance. See Blind Spot

Information System (page 169). If the
Blind Spot Information System is blocked,
Cross Traffic Alert is also blocked. A
corresponding message appears in the
information display as soon as you shift
the transmission into reverse (R).

System Limitations

Cross Traffic Alert has its limitations;
situations such as severe weather
conditions or debris build-up on the sensor
area may limit vehicle detection.

The following are other situations that may
limit the Cross Traffic Alert performance:
•

Adjacently parked vehicles or objects
obstructing the sensors.

•

Approaching vehicles passing at
speeds greater than 37 mph
(60 km/h).

•

Driving in reverse faster than 7 mph
(12 km/h).

•

Backing out of an angled parking spot.

False Alerts

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar with a
factory equipped trailer tow module and it
is towing a trailer, the sensors will
automatically turn the Cross Traffic Alert
off. If your vehicle has a tow bar but no
factory equipped trailer tow module, it is
recommended to turn the Cross Traffic Alert
off manually. Operating Cross Traffic Alert
with a trailer attached will cause poor Cross
Traffic Alert performance.

There may be certain instances when there
is a false alert by the Cross Traffic Alert
system that illuminates the alert indicator
with no vehicle in the coverage zone. Some
amount of false alerts are normal; they are
temporary and self-correct.

System Errors

If Cross Traffic Alert senses a problem with
the left or right sensor a message will
appear in the information display. See
Information Messages (page 95).

Switching the System Off and On

You can temporarily switch Cross Traffic
Alert off in the information display. See
Information Messages (page 95). When
you switch Cross Traffic Alert off, you will
not receive alerts and the information
display will display a system off message.

Note: The Cross Traffic Alert switches on
whenever the ignition is switched on and
ready to provide appropriate alerts when
the transmission is in reverse (R). Cross
Traffic Alert will not remember the last
selected on or off setting.

You can also have Cross Traffic Alert
switched off permanently at an authorized
dealer. Once switched off permanently,
the system can only be switched back on
at an authorized dealer.

ECO MODE

This system assists you in driving more
efficiently by constantly monitoring
characteristics of gear changing,
anticipation of traffic conditions and
speeds while driving.

The value of these characteristics is
represented by petals shown in the display,
with five petals being the most efficient.
The more efficiently you drive, the better
the rating, and the better your vehicle's
overall fuel economy.

Note: These efficiency values do not result
in a defined fuel consumption figure. It might
vary as it is not only related to these driving
habits, but also influenced by many other
factors such as short trips and cold starts.

Note: Frequent short trips, where the engine
does not fully warm up, will also increase
fuel consumption

The system is accessed using the
information display control. See General
Information (page 91).

Type 1

E121813

C

B

A

Gear shifting

A

Anticipation

B

Efficient speed

C

Gear shifting

Use the highest drivable gear appropriate
for the road conditions to improve fuel
consumption.

Anticipation

Adjust your vehicle speed and the distance
to other vehicles to avoid the need for
heavy braking or acceleration to improve
fuel economy.

Efficient speed

Reduce your cruising speed on open roads
to improve economy. Higher speeds use
more fuel.

Resetting Eco Mode

Reset the average fuel consumption by
using the information display control.

Note: New values may take a short time to
calculate