2009 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS brakes

Introduction
3
Instrument Cluster
10
Warning lights and chimes 10
Gauges 13
Lights
17
Headlamps 17
Turn signal control 18
Bulb replacement 18
Driver Controls
19
Windshield wiper/washer control 19
Steering wheel adjustment 19
Speed control 20
Message center 22
Tires, Wheels and Loading
28
Tire information 28
Tire inflation 30
Vehicle loading 45
Trailer towing 50
Driving
54
Starting 54
Brakes 57
Transmission operation 61
Roadside Emergencies
67
Getting roadside assistance 67
Hazard flasher switch 68
Fuses and relays 69
Changing tires 76
Wheel lug nut torque 82
Jump starting 82
Wrecker towing 86
Table of Contents
1
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

SPEED CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
With speed control set, you can maintain a set speed without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal.
WARNING:Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on
roads that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Setting speed control
The controls for using your speed
control are located on the steering
wheel for your convenience.
1. Press the ON control and release
it.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET ACCEL control
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
Note:
•Vehicle speed may vary
momentarily when driving up and
down a steep hill.
•If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
•If the vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below
your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage.
Resuming a set speed
Press the RES (resume) control and
release it. This will automatically
return the vehicle to the previously
set speed.
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2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
20

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)– is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the B-Pillar or
the edge of the driver’s door.
The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR.
WARNING:Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification Label
vehicle weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle
handling or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)– is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicles’ braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the towing
vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.The
GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
47

Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
WARNING: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 towing vehicle braking system is rated for operation at the
GVWR, not the GCWR.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control
of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 lb.
(680 kg) when loaded.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact
your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions
and equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Keep your speed no faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first
500 miles (800 km) of towing a trailer, and don’t make full throttle
starts.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance
informationfor more information.
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
52

Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
the lubricant specification. Remember that regardless of the rear axle
lube used, do not tow a trailer for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of a
new vehicle, and that the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing be done
at no faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) with no full throttle starts.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
53

WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped in an open area for
long periods of time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm).
Adjust the heating or air conditioning (if equipped) to bring in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by keeping all air inlet vents clear of snow,
leaves and other debris.
BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to thescheduled
maintenance informationfor scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle’s brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a “metal-to-metal,” “continuous grinding” or
“continuous squeal” sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
WARNING:If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to
a lower gear. Do not apply your brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
Hydraulic brake booster system (Hydroboost or Hydromax)
The Hydroboost and Hydromax systems receive fluid pressure from the
power steering pump to provide power assist during braking.
The Hydromax booster receives backup pressure from the reserve
system electric pump whenever the fluid in the power steering system is
P!
BRAKE
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
57

not flowing. When the engine is OFF, the pump will turn on if the brake
pedal is applied, or if the ignition is turned to the ON position.
The sound of the pump operating may be heard by the driver, but this is
a normal characteristic of the system.
The reserve system provides reduced braking power, so the vehicle
should be operated under these conditions with caution, and only to seek
service repair and remove the vehicle from the roadway.
For Hydromax-equipped vehicles operating under normal
conditions,the noise of the fluid flowing through the booster may be
heard whenever the brake is applied. This condition is normal. Vehicle
service is not required.
If braking performance or pedal response becomes very poor, even when
the pedal is strongly depressed, it may indicate the presence of air in the
hydraulic system or leakage of fluid. Stop the vehicle safely as soon as
possible and seek service immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle’s
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check after you start
the engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be
heard during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is found, the ABS
warning light will come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be
inspected by an authorized dealer.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. 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.
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
58

Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. Push pedal
downward to set the parking brake.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned on) until the
parking brake is released.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the
LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
transmission mounted parking brake assembly, the vehicle’s stopping
distance will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be
adversely affected.
P!
BRAKE
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
60