Seating and Safety Restraints 169Seating 169
Safety restraints 183
Air bags 195
Child restraints 203
Driving 217Starting 217
Brakes 221
Air suspension 225
Transmission operation 231
Vehicle loading 252
Trailer towing 254
Roadside Emergencies 262Getting roadside assistance 262
Hazard flasher switch 263
Fuel pump shut-off switch 263
Fuses and relays 265
Changing tires 275
Jump starting 282
Wrecker towing 288
Customer Assistance 290Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 298
Cleaning 299
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CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM. Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer to Checking
and adding brake fluid in the Maintenance and specifications
chapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE. Displayed when the engine oil pressure is low. If
this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer to Engine oil in the Maintenance and specifications chapter for
information about adding engine oil. If the oil level is OK and this
warning persists, shut down the engine immediately and contact your
dealership for service.
LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL. Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluid in the Maintenance and specifications
chapter.
CHECK ADVTRAC. Displayed when the AdvanceTrac system is not
operating properly. If this message is displayed on the message center
the AdvanceTrac system may be partially operable. If this warning
stays on while the engine is running, contact your dealer for service as
soon as possible. For further information, refer to AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement system in the Driving chapter.
ADVTRAC OFF T/C ON. Displayed on 4x4 vehicles only when 4x4 Low
Range is selected. In this mode, the stability enhancement portion of the
AdvanceTrac is disabled, but the traction enhancement feature remains
enabled. For further information, refer to AdvanceTrac stability
enhancement system in the Driving chapter.
CHECK SUSPENSION. Displayed when the air suspension system is
not operating properly. If this message is displayed while driving, pull off
the road as soon as safely possible. For more information, refer to Air
suspension in the Driving chapter.
SUSPENSION SWITCHED OFF. Displayed when the air suspension
switch is in the OFF position. For more information, refer to Air
suspension in the Driving chapter.
CHECK FUEL CAP. Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer to Fuel
filler cap in the Maintenance and specifications chapter.
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AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride comfort, vehicle
handling and general vehicle performance by adjusting the vehicle ’ s ride
height according to vehicle speed, weight added to or removed from the
vehicle and four-wheel drive (if equipped) operation. Normal vehicle
operation does not require any action by the driver.
When you enter the vehicle and the ignition is off, the air suspension will
have automatically lowered the vehicle to its lowest height to provide
easier entry. When a door or the liftgate is opened, the system
memorizes and maintains that height until either all doors are closed or
the vehicle ’ s speed exceeds 24 km/h (15 mph). The air suspension
system will then raise the vehicle ’ s height to its normal position when the
ignition is turned on, all doors are closed and the transmission is shifted
from P (Park).
When the vehicle is in motion, the air suspension will adjust the vehicle
ride height to normal operating position to maximize your ride comfort.
If your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive and you shift into 4WD
LOW, the air suspension will not move to it ’ s lowest position; instead, the
ride height is raised above the normal ride height position (at speeds
below 40 km/h [25 mph]) to improve ground clearance.
If a load is added to, or removed from the vehicle, the load leveling
feature of the air suspension system will adjust the suspension to keep
the vehicle at a constant level.
When exiting the vehicle, the air suspension will automatically lower the
vehicle to its lowest height to provide easier exit. You may hear a buzz or
click from the air suspension system when the ignition is turned off. The
air suspension system will stay active for 40 minutes after the ignition is
turned off to accommodate any load changes. (The air compressor may
run when the vehicle is off; this is normal.)
The air suspension shut-off switch is
located behind two access panels on
the left rear quarter trim panel, near
the liftgate. To remove the first
panel, turn the control
counterclockwise and remove the
panel.
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On vehicles equipped with air suspension, turn the air
suspension and the ignition switch off prior to jacking, hoisting
or towing your vehicle.
To remove the second panel, press
the tab down to unlock the access
panel.
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Press the bottom portion of the
switch to turn off the air
suspension.
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
limited slip axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer ’ s specified size tires on a
limited slip rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Your vehicle has special design and equipment features to make it
capable of performing in a wide variety of circumstances. These special
design features, such as larger tires and increased ground clearance, give
the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
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Each day before you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to check
pressure of all tires, and adjust if
required. Check tire pressure with a
tire gauge every few weeks
(including spare). Safe operation
requires tires that are neither
underinflated nor a vehicle which is
overloaded.
Periodically inspect the tire treads and remove stones, nails, glass or
other objects that may be wedged in the tread grooves. Check for holes
or cuts that may permit air leakage from the tire and make necessary
repairs.
Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If internal
damage to the tire is suspected, have the tire demounted and inspected
to determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine ’ s air intake and severely damage your engine.
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(Overdrive) for 10 seconds, then return the gearshift lever to P (Park)
and release the brake. With the ignition still in the ON position, and all
doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand (without passengers) for several
minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to OFF.
3. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within 0 – 13 mm (0.5 in) of the reference
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 3.
5. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to ON.
Note: Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle is
higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer ’ s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer ’ s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer ’ s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer ’ s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle ’ s brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
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The fuel pump shut-off switch has a
red reset button on top of it and is
located beneath the air suspension
switch (if equipped). If the vehicle
is not equipped with air suspension,
the fuel pump shut-off switch ’ s red
reset button will still be visible
behind this access panel.
Use the following procedure to reset the fuel pump shut-off switch.
1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in on the reset button.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position. Pause for a few seconds and
return the key to the OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any electrical
components. 15
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