Some models of Ford Focus came with a shifter, which is used in the manual transmission models. One way to increase reaction time in your shifter is to swap it out with a short throw model, which decreases the distance it takes to shift between gears. To do that, the first thing you have to do is remove the stock shifter from the Focus, which should take about 30 minutes to do.
Depress the clutch, and shift the shifter into reverse. Unscrew the shift knob using your hands, turning the shift knob counterclockwise. Unclip the trim panel around the shifter by hand, and turn it over to the side.
Unplug the wiring harness to the traction control if your model of Focus has traction control. Cut the zip tie holding the shifter boot to the trim panel using wire cutters.
Pry off the upper shift cable from the shifter using the slotted screwdriver. Unscrew the base of the shifter from the console using the Phillips screwdriver.
Tilt the shifter into the upper-left corner of the console -- toward the dashboard -- and lift it out of the console.
