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When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the
wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip,
spin or lose traction, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
manually shift to a lower gear. Your
vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply
the brakes steadily. Do not “pump”
the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
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Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle
is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the
brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of
this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock
brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
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.
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ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Getting roadside assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the coverage period listed on the Roadside Assistance Card
included in your Owner Guide portfolio.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•a flat tire change with a good spare (except vehicles that have been
supplied with a tire inflation kit)
•battery jump start
•lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer’s
responsibility)
•fuel delivery – Independent Service Contractors, if not prohibited by
state, local or municipal law shall deliver up to 2.0 gallons (7.5L) of
gasoline or 5 gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel to a disabled vehicle. Fuel
delivery service is limited to two no-charge occurrences within a
12-month period.
•winch out – available within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a paved or
county maintained road, no recoveries.
•towing – Ford/Mercury/Lincoln eligible vehicle towed to an authorized
dealer within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the disablement location or to the
nearest authorized dealer. If a member requests to be towed to an
authorized dealer more than 35 miles (56.3 km) from the disablement
location, the member shall be responsible for any mileage costs in
excess of 35 miles (56.3 km).
Trailers shall be covered up to $200 if the disabled eligible vehicle
requires service at the nearest authorized dealer. If the trailer is disabled,
but the towing vehicle is operational, the trailer does not qualify for any
roadside services.
Canadian customers refer to your Customer Information Guide
for information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
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The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
1 30A Not used (spare)
2 15A Not used (spare)
3 15A Family Entertainment System (FES)
4 30A Not used (spare)
5 10A Keypad illumination, Brake-Shift
Interlock (BSI), SPBJB
6 20A Turn signals
7 10A Left headlamp (Low beam)
8 10A Right headlamp (Low beam)
9 15A Interior lighting, Lighted running boards
10 15A Cargo lamp, Puddle lamp, Switch
backlight
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
11 10A Not used (spare)
12 7.5A Power mirror switch, Driver power seat
(Memory)
13 5A Not used (spare)
14 10A Upfitter relay #3 feed
15 10A Climate control head
16 15A Upfitter Relay #4 Feed
17 20A All lock motor feeds
18 20A Heated seat relay feed
19 25A Not used (spare)
20 15A Adjustable pedals, Datalink
21 15A Fog lamp relay feed, Cornering lamps
22 15A Park lamp relay feed
23 15A High beam headlight relay feed
24 20A Horn relay feed
25 10A Power telescoping mirror switch Demand
lamps - underhood and illuminated visor
(battery saver)
26 10A Cluster
27 20A Ignition switch feed, Passenger
compartment fuses 28, 42, 43, 44, and
45, Engine compartment starter relay
coil #57 (Diesel engine), Accessory
shutoff control module (if equipped)
(Diesel engine), Engine compartment
starter relay diode (gasoline engines)
28 5A Radio
29 5A Not used (spare)
30 5A Not used (spare)
31 10A Not used (spare)
32 10A Restraints Control Module (RCM),
Passenger Airbag Deactivation Indicator
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
33 10A Trailer tow brake controller, Trailer tow
battery charge relay coil
34 5A Not used (spare)
35 10A Reverse Sensing System (RSS), 4x4
module, 4x4 solenoid, Traction control
switch, Tow/Haul switch (Diesel engine)
36 5A Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
transceiver, Cluster control
37 10A Dual automatic or Manual climate
control, PTC control
38 20A Subwoofer
39 20A Radio, Navigation radio and amplifier
40 20A 4x4 module, Satellite radio module,
SYNC
41 15A Radio, Electrochromatic rear view mirror,
Lock switch illumination
42 10A Heated seat relay coil, Upfitter switch
relay coils, Heated mirror relay coil
43 10A Fuel tank selector switch, 4x4 module
44 10A Run customer access feed (PTO)
45 5A Front wiper logic, Blower motor relay
coil
46 7.5A Not used (spare)
47 30A Circuit
BreakerPower windows, Moon roof, Power
Sliding Backlite
48 Relay Delayed accessory
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems from overloads.
WARNING:Always disconnect the battery before servicing high
current fuses.
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•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the temporary spare
tire
•Use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
Stopping and securing the vehicle
WARNING:To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change a tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in
both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite to the tire being
changed.
Refer to the instruction sheet (located in the glove box) for detailed tire
change instructions.
Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.
•Automatic transmission: Place
gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Manual transmission: Place
gearshift lever in R (Reverse).
•Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly
(ESOF) 4x4: Place transfer case
in 4x4 HIGH or 4x4 LOW before
turning off the engine.
•Manual shift transfer case 4x4: Place transfer case in 4H or 4L.
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Location of the spare tire and tools
If your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire, jack and associated tools,
refer to the following table for their locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire (pick-up trucks only) Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper
Jack Regular cab and Crew Cab:
Fastened to floor pan behind
rearmost seat on passenger side
SuperCab: Under rear bench seat
on passenger side
Jack handle, lug wrench, lug
wrench extension (only available
on Dual Rear Wheel [DRW]
vehicles) and wheel chock (only
available on Single Rear Wheel
[SRW] vehicles equipped with a
diesel engine)Regular cab: Fastened to floor
behind driver seat
SuperCab: Fastened to floor under
rear seat
Crew Cab: Fastened to floor
behind rear seat at driver side
Key and spare tire lock In the glove box
Jack instruction sheet Under the jack tool kit
Removing the spare tire (with spare tire carrier only)
1. The following tools are required to remove the spare tire:
•one handle extension and two
typical extensions. To assemble,
align button with hole and slide
parts together. To disconnect,
depress button and pull apart.
•one wheel nut wrench. Slide over
square end of jack handle.
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