2018 Ford Focus ST Owners Manual -  Hands-Free Power Liftgate

 Hands-Free Power Liftgate

WARNING:  It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a crash, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seatbelts. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and properly using a seatbelt. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious personal injury or death.    WARNING:  Make sure that you fully close the liftgate to prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle. If you are unable to fully close the liftgate, open the air vents or the windows to allow fresh air to enter your vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.    WARNING:  Make sure that you fully close the liftgate to prevent passengers and cargo from falling out. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.    WARNING:  Keep keys out of reach of children. Do not allow children to operate or play near an open or moving power liftgate. You should supervise the operation of the power liftgate at all times.

Make sure the area behind your vehicle is free from obstruction and that there is enough room for you to operate the liftgate. The liftgate could come into contact with objects that are too close to your vehicle, for example a wall, garage door or another vehicle. This could damage the liftgate and its components.

For vehicles with automatic transmission, the liftgate only operates with the transmission in park (P).

Note:   Do not hang anything, for example a bike rack, from the glass or liftgate.

Make sure you have a passive key within 1 m (3 ft) of the liftgate.

1. Stand behind your vehicle, and face the liftgate. Do not stand too close to your vehicle or the sensors may not detect the motion.

1. Move your foot in a single-kick motion, without pausing, under and away from the rear bumper detection area. The detection area is in the center of the rear bumper.

1. The liftgate power opens or closes.

Allow the system to open the liftgate. Do not manually push or pull the liftgate when it is moving. This could damage the liftgate and its components.

Do not leave the liftgate open when you are driving. This could damage the liftgate and its components.

Avoid the following actions when using the hands-free opening feature:

• Making physical contact with the bumper.
• Holding your foot under the bumper for longer than a few seconds.
• Sweeping your foot from side to side, or kicking at an odd angle.

Note:   Splashing water may cause the hands-free liftgate to open.Keep the passive key away from the rear bumper detection area when you wash your vehicle.

Make sure that you fully close the liftgate before operating or moving your vehicle, especially in an enclosure, for example a garage or a parking structure.

Liftgate Ajar Warning Lamp

A warning illuminates in the instrument cluster when you switch the ignition on, or if the liftgate is open.

Liftgate Ajar Information Messages