2002 Ford Focus Owner Guide 4th Printing - Page 191

Driving The ABS continuously monitors all four wheel speeds and detects the onset of wheel lockup during brake applications and, if required, modulates brake pressure to individual wheels to maintain braking at optimum efficiency and ensure that steering control is not adversely affected. The wheels are prevented from locking even when the brakes are firmly applied. The accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking traction. ABS warning lamp (if equipped) The ABS warning lamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned on and the engine is off. If the light does not illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to be serviced. With the ABS light on, the antiĆlock brake system is disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning light also remains illuminated with parking brake released. If the ABS and/or brake warning lights illuminate when the engine is on and the parking brake is in the fully off position, have your vehicle serviced immediately. 191